Hotel Zen Kohoku

After a long international flight, we needed to recover and recharge, and Hotel Zen Kohoku was just right for that. We stayed six nights. The quiet, cute area had a low-key, relaxing feel that made it easy to settle into the trip. We could come and go freely throughout our visit, despite earlier reviews we'd seen mentioning a time limit. Our first night was exactly what we needed. We hadn't slept that well in what felt like five lifetimes. The bed was comfortable, the room quiet, and the bathroom and amenities were amazing. Everything was very clean and well maintained throughout. The showers, hot tub, and bathtub gave the stay a spa-like feel. The women at the front desk were especially kind and welcoming. Even with the language barrier, they went out of their way to help with anything we needed, and made us feel more like family than guests. The free breakfast was genuinely good, too, a nice way to start the day. Since it's a love hotel, staying as a couple felt fun, unique, romantic, and private. We had a very pleasant stay and would absolutely recommend Hotel Zen Kohoku for a relaxing, comfortable, memorable visit. Thank you for making the trip special.

It's a shame because the facilities are good, and the sauna and open-air bath were nice. But some spots hadn't been properly cleaned. The bottoms of the cups were still dirty, and the jacuzzi smelled bad when I used it, so it seemed clear it hadn't been cleaned properly. That put me off. Love hotels with saunas are rare, but I don't think I want to return.

I called around 12:30 PM on Friday, October 31st, to ask about staying the next day, what time check-in was available, and the room rates. The woman on the phone was so clueless it was a real pain. She gave me nonsense like “It's a weekday.” When I asked whether tomorrow was a weekday, she said, “Sorry, it's Saturday.” Then she told me, “We're fully booked on Saturdays, so we can't make a reservation for you,” even though I hadn't asked to book. I was asking for the rates, and all I got was, “It depends on the room type.” She couldn't give me a clearer answer. Maybe she has Alzheimer's? I think they should change the staff.

I came all the way from Tokyo during the Obon holiday and was surprised by how much the price had jumped, from the usual 12,000 yen to 25,000 yen for the special period. They told me about the special rate after I'd entered. I showed a coupon at reception and applied it, but at 2 a.m. I suddenly got an internal message saying it couldn't be used during Obon. They were asleep! The sauna was hot and great, though. Be aware breakfast costs extra.