Ashizuri Pacific Hotel Hanatsubaki

I liked every corner of the hotel. They greeted us with a glass of wine on arrival and looked after us through the whole stay in Manna land. Our room was Western style with a nice view, though the hotel is really big and the walk to the restaurant takes a while. We stayed one night at first, then decided to extend and ended up there for three. The food was incredible. The Japanese meal was amazing, and watching the straw fire tuna being made was a fun experience. We went to thank the chefs in person afterward. The food could rival Nobu, Mozza, or any highly rated restaurant in the world. I was glad I ignored the negative feedback on the map and chose to stay. The manager of the Italian restaurant knows a lot about wine and recommended wines and cocktails. His knowledge and passion for the job really surprised us, and he looked very nice and posh. I wish I had some of that plum wine with bonito right now. The price we paid wasn't actually much, since breakfast, dinners, and drinks were included. I'll come back to Manna land!

The open-air onsen had cockroaches, which made the area unpleasant. Management should consider regular preventive pest control in Japan, and perhaps a renovation as well. In the modern ocean-view room, green beetles came in by the dozens after sunset through gaps around the windows, even with them fully shut. Some spots looked patched, but not professionally. At this price, it's disappointing that we couldn't comfortably keep the lights on after dark. After about 18:00, turning off the lights and going to bed early seemed to be the only way to avoid them. Closing the windows and curtains wasn't enough. The Japanese-style room with a private bath felt noticeably worn, and the high rate didn't seem fully justified. At least its windows sealed properly and no green stink bugs got inside. Beer wasn't included with the complimentary drinks. The plum wine always came with bonito flakes. Even when we asked for it without them, it still tasted strongly of fish, perhaps because the same spoon was used for the salted rim and the bonito flakes. Some staff were very kind, but professionalism overall fell short of what we'd expect from a hotel in this category. More consistent training would help. Breakfast was surprisingly low quality, both Japanese and Western. We'd expect a higher standard here, or a simpler menu if quality is hard to maintain. The pizza was basically warm, soft dough without much flavor or texture, and should perhaps be dropped unless it can be improved. The welcome Aperol Spritz didn't resemble the standard recipe. Bar staff could use some training on it, or the hotel could offer a different welcome drink.

The hotel's a bit remote from supermarkets and other shops, and the restaurant was closed on Wednesday. There is a little café, Cape, not far away. Still, it's in a lovely spot for anyone who enjoys nature, and I'd definitely recommend it and return. The hotel has been renovated very nicely, the rooms are well equipped, and you get an ocean view. The onsen has an outdoor area looking out toward cliffs and a rough sea. Staff at both the front desk and restaurant were great. Breakfast was excellent, and I had the Japanese option.

The scenery around the estate is stunning, and this part of Shikoku is one of the most beautiful places I've seen. From the restaurant and outdoor onsen, the view across the Pacific is breathtaking. I wasn't sure what to expect at first, but this turned out to be one of the best hotels I've stayed in during my life. It was such a pleasure to be there.