Yamanakako Garden Villa

We hardly saw any staff, just two people, but everything went smoothly and we were able to unwind. The large public bath was quiet too, since there aren’t many rooms, so we could take our time in it. The place seems to operate only in summer. Our plan included breakfast, a casual Western-style buffet with salad, bread, bacon, yogurt and coffee. It was tasty and satisfying. The rooms are clean and well cared for, though the place is a little dated. Service is minimal: you make up your own futon, use a shared toilet and get amenities from the front desk. We were also able to set off fireworks. They lend buckets and lighters and take care of the rubbish, which made it easy. We were satisfied with the value for money.

We could have used a toilet in the room. I only tried the private family bath, which you book at the front desk in one-hour slots. A clock in the changing room would have been useful. Dinner was creative and tasted good, though the serving might have been small. Breakfast was pretty standard. There were things to do indoors despite the rain: other families set off fireworks under a roof, and the front desk sold them for 200 yen. The hotel also has ping pong, shogi, Othello and cards, and apparently a tennis court. I’d booked already, so I stayed over the heavy Obon holiday rains. The parking lot was flooded like a puddle when I arrived, which surprised me, but an employee came out, carried my luggage and showed me to my room after check-in. The service was excellent, and the price was very good.

The meals were a real highlight. We had summer vegetables simmered in olive oil, homemade bread, soup and hoto carbonara, then a main dish and dessert even though I already felt full. Afterward I relaxed with as much coffee as I wanted. It was delicious, as long as you aren’t expecting fine dining. The inn was just right for our family of three to unwind and get away from everyday life. It’s a small, cozy hotel in the forest, with greenery filling the windows and a quiet, soothing atmosphere. The lobby, restaurant and women’s bath all felt open and comfortable, with their high ceilings. The building is a lovely Western-style place, though the facilities are a little old. My room was a standard eight-tatami room. The toilet was shared, and we had to put away and lay out our own futons, but everything was clean and the amenities and little services felt top quality. If you don’t need luxury, it’s an easy place to relax.

September 2013 The room itself was average, but the walls were so thin you could hear sounds everywhere, and we had to lay out our own futon. The shared bathroom was like a tiny dorm bath, which makes sense since the place used to be a university retreat. The hotel looks nice, but inside it feels empty. Staff were friendly, yet so inattentive that they weren’t useful. Dinner was a Western-style course, but it was poorly coordinated and we waited ages for each next course. The food wasn’t anything special for the price and tasted a bit strong. Breakfast was like a coffee shop breakfast. Paying over 10,000 yen for this felt ridiculous.