Hashidate Bay Hotel

I especially liked the free bike rental, which covered the first four hours and was enough time to see the Hashidate sand bay. They sometimes have electric bikes too, which are handy. The rooms were clean and roomy, the area was pristine, and it was only a few minutes on foot from the bus station. One of the best parts of my 15-day stay.

I would have given it five stars if the onsen hadn't been temporarily closed from April to May 2023. The staff were really helpful with local sightseeing tips and even booked dinner for me at a nearby restaurant. It's a medium-sized hotel overlooking the sea and Amanohashidate sand bar, with a French restaurant serving tasty meals at good value.

2019 update: It was quiet at Hashidate Bay Hotel this year. Local contacts told me reservations had been cancelled because of heavy snow warnings. My wife and I got a room on a non-smoking floor, which makes a big difference when staying at a hotel in Japan. The beds were still very comfortable, and the room was cleaner than on previous visits. The sheets were clean, there was no mold in the bath, and the tiled carpet means stained sections can be removed. The Wi-Fi worked well enough to download and watch a video on Netflix, though sometimes I had to stand by the door to get a signal. It still has no password, which is a security problem management really needs to fix. Breakfast was 1500 yen, or 3000 yen for a couple. I might have paid that, but it's a bit much for a buffet that isn't top tier, so we skipped it. At 11000 yen per person per night, it already felt a little expensive. The bathhouse next door was closed on New Year's, so we couldn't enjoy that benefit of a Japanese hotel either. With the Wi-Fi working, I can give it four stars, though I wanted to say 3.5. Half a point off for no bath or lobby coffee. 2018: I've stayed here many times because it's near my in-laws. The service is reasonable, the staff are friendly, and the breakfast buffet has been getting better. Still, getting a non-smoking room is difficult because they keep a lot of smoking rooms, and I'm not the only one who's noticed. The Wi-Fi was unreliable too. On my last visit, the routers couldn't be accessed on a PC for two days, though management said they'd identified the issue. There's no password, which could leave guests vulnerable, and I hoped they'd update the system soon. I'll stay again, and I'm posting this in the hope they'll sort these problems out. The beds are modern, clean, and comfortable, though single rooms are no bigger than those in any Japanese business hotel.

The staff were warm, friendly, and very helpful, and there was plenty of free parking. They also had shuttles to the closest train station and shopping center. I loved the breakfast buffet, with Japanese dishes like fish and miso soup alongside Western options such as eggs, sausage, and French toast. The fresh herbal teas were relaxing too. Their restaurant serves gourmet French cuisine. It's a great family-friendly place that does what it can to make you feel at home. The rooms are clean, the view of Amanohashidate Bay is spectacular, and the spa, pool, and exercise facility next door were great. I found the hot tubs, sauna, and onsen baths relaxing. It's also close to lots of sightseeing interests. The internet was good, and they seemed to be adding more bandwidth. I'd definitely stay again if I'm back in the area.