Toba Seaside Hotel

The room and its view were nice, and I liked the onsen too. But if you’re not driving and want to eat dinner outside the hotel, I wouldn’t stay here. Getting around is practically impossible, and you can’t even call a taxi to the hotel. In the evening you’re effectively stuck there. I’m here for two nights and had planned to eat at a restaurant nearby, not knowing about the taxi problem. I also tried to book dinner at the hotel, but they told me it was fully booked both nights and didn’t make any effort to fit me in as a solo traveler. I wasn’t asking for special treatment. The lack of transport and help left a bad taste. Staff seemed inflexible and as if they didn’t care because I’m an international visitor outside their usual customer base. I regret staying here and should have checked first.

It was peaceful and generally very quiet while I was there, perhaps because it was low season. I’d love to return. I should mention I didn’t pay for my stay, so my opinion may be a little biased, but I had a genuinely great time. The room was huge, big enough for a family of four, with a beautiful view on the very sunny day I was lucky to get. It showed some wear from the hotel’s age, and there weren’t quite enough outlets for all the things people need to charge now. There are three public baths, at least one with an outdoor bath, along with private baths available for an extra fee if you’d prefer privacy alone, with a partner, or with family. Dinner was a delicious Japanese course, and staff were polite and attentive during the meal and throughout the stay. The morning buffet was tasty and had a decent range.

The staff’s enthusiastic, above-and-beyond service really made the meals feel better, since some dishes at dinner and breakfast were colder than we liked. The room’s view was incredible: the inn sits on a cliff looking over a wide sea inlet dotted with islands. Sleeping on the tatami was comfortable enough once we stacked a few futon mattresses. The photos show some of the hotel highlights.

A good spot for relaxing by the sea, with a great location and lots to enjoy inside the hotel. It has three different onsens, each with its own distinctive layout. The buffet was good, and the staff were professional. I’d recommend it if you’re after a restful stay and ocean views.