Mercure Toyama Tonami Resort & Spa

The views are good, the outdoor onsen is great, and breakfast was good. Getting to Mercure Toyama Tonami, though, was a struggle. I emailed ahead about a free shuttle and was told there wasn't one; the reply suggested a taxi from Tonami station for about ¥5000, far too much for a solo traveller. I had stayed at more than half of the 23/24 Mercure and Grand Mercure hotels brought over from Daiwa Group to Accor, and most had shuttles. The few without one had convenient public transport, such as buses or trains. I planned to take a bus from JR Tonami station to Shoto Center(bus), then a taxi the rest of the way, but there were no taxis there. So I walked to the hotel with my baggage. It took 35 minutes, mostly uphill. I strongly recommend offering a free shuttle, at least from Shoto Center bus station if not Tonami station.

Our room was spacious, with tatami floors, and had a fridge. The bathroom was quite small, though I think that's standard for this kind of Japanese hotel. There was also a water fountain in the hall where we could refill bottles. Parking was easy, and the service was pretty good. Even though our Japanese isn't strong, the staff were helpful and did their best to communicate. The hotel's in the middle of nowhere, so finding places to eat nearby was difficult. They offered a dinner buffet for about 6 to 8K yen per person, so we ate outside instead. We drove, so I don't know whether it's accessible by train or bus. The onsen was busy during our stay, apparently because of a bus tour. The biggest problem was the AC, which didn't seem to work. We had the same issue at another Mercure elsewhere in Japan, so I'm not sure if it's common at this type of hotel. The control was just a dial, and I don't think each room has AC. I didn't ask if they had a portable fan, though you could probably ask. Sleeping in a hot room made the stay uncomfortable, and despite the roomy layout, I wouldn't stay here again.

The onsen was large, with a beautiful view. I also loved the buffet, which had plenty of choices at both dinner and breakfast. Our hotel room was spacious.

The staff were friendly, polite, and always ready to help. Our clean, roomy guest room had a lovely view, and breakfast offered a good range of choices. The lounge's generous drinks and light snacks were a nice bonus. I'd especially recommend staying here if you're driving.