Find 4-Star Hotels in Shimoda

"Nestled on a hillside overlooking the bay, the hotel is absolutely stunning on a clear day. The garden has direct access to the beach, though climbing the stairs back up can be quite a workout. The room facilities were comprehensive and newer than I had anticipated. The hotel was quite busy with guests from various countries, indicating it's indeed very foreigner-friendly. However, this also led to some issues. For instance, the hotel's onsen (hot spring) isn't very large, so it felt quite crowded with so many international visitors. What was even more dismaying was the blatant disregard for onsen etiquette. I personally witnessed several instances, including but not limited to: two Chinese female tourists in swimsuits in the outdoor bath, one of whom was sitting at the edge, soaking her legs while drinking a beverage, with a full face of makeup – I half expected her to pull out her phone for a 'perfect shot.' Additionally, two women, possibly from Eastern Europe or Russia, covered in tattoos, wore their slippers directly into the changing area and then just left them thrown under the lockers. Such sights were off-putting, so we decided not to use the onsen on our second night. The hotel actually provides guests with a leaflet on Japanese onsen etiquette upon check-in, but clearly, some people just don't bother to read it. I suggest the hotel increases staff patrols in the onsen area to promptly identify and address these uncivilized behaviors. On another note, when we first entered our room, it felt stuffy, so we opened the window, which unfortunately let in some mosquitoes. After contacting the front desk, they promptly sent up an electric mosquito repellent, which was a thoughtful gesture. We stayed for two nights, both on a half-board basis (dinner and breakfast). The dinner was a Western-style set menu, with at least 7 courses. Both the presentation and content were Michelin-level and absolutely delicious. Finally, the hotel's shuttle bus service is quite frequent. In the mornings, there are four buses that stop at Shimoda Park, which is perfect for seeing the hydrangeas."

"This was my first time visiting Minamiizu, and a friend recommended this hotel – it truly lived up to expectations! The accommodations were great, and the food was delicious. My only complaint is regarding the shuttle service. The day before check-in, I specifically asked about pickup details through Trip.com customer service. The hotel only sent a text message with the pickup time, but not the location. I assumed, like most hotels, that it would pick up in front of the JR station. To my surprise, I waited from 2 PM to 3 PM and saw no sign of the hotel bus. I started to feel something was wrong and checked Trip.com, where I saw a guest comment mentioning that after 3:10 PM, there would be no more pickups. Panicked, I immediately called the hotel. That's when I learned the hotel bus has a specific waiting point, around the corner, to the right of the JR station (and then to the right again). If this isn't communicated beforehand, and there are no signs at the station, it's impossible for guests to know where to wait. Therefore, I strongly suggest the hotel standardize its pickup service by clearly stating both the pickup time and location in advance. Both pieces of information are essential!"

"You definitely need a car to get to this accommodation, but the rooms are top-notch. I chose a room with a private open-air bath, and the view of the ocean was spectacular. I also took a walk around the small island just as the sun was setting, and it was absolutely beautiful! The dinner was also very generous and featured local flavors, definitely worth trying!"

"The hotel is located in a secluded area and it takes more than four hours to drive from Narita Airport, but once you enter, you will feel that it is well worth it. The environment is elegant and comfortable, the room is clean and spacious, and the private bath is great! Dinner and breakfast the next day were both served in the hotel restaurant. The ingredients were fresh and abundant, especially the famous local golden eye sea bream dishes. "

"The room was spacious and quiet. The front desk staff spoke Japanese and English and were very friendly. The view was also great, with the ocean right outside the window. You could hear the sound of the waves with the window open, but it was well soundproofed when closed. It had two beds and a large tatami mat, which could fit two people, making it a room for four in total. There's free parking, and the hotel was clean. The shower and bedroom were separated, which was a nice touch. Very satisfied."

"Conveniently located near Shimoda Port and Black Ship Museum, it's also an easy walk from Shimoda Station and other local attractions. Our room had a lovely sea view. The service was excellent, very polite and welcoming. The facilities were great; we booked a room with a private open-air onsen, which was very convenient, and there's also a public large bathhouse and a kids' play room. The cleanliness was top-notch."

"The overall environment is nice, with a sea view. However, since it's off-season, some bar singers aren't working. Driving here is a good option, but taking the bus is inconvenient, with buses running every hour. I didn't realize when booking that the room was for one person only. When checking out, because we were two people, the hotel asked me to pay an additional 800 RMB. They didn't mention the extra fee at check-in... The service experience wasn't very good. I certainly didn't notice this small detail, so please be aware of it when booking."

"The room is large, you can lie down in a wooden barrel and soak in the hot spring while looking at the sea view. I met a girl from Xi'an who came for an internship at the hotel, and I was very grateful for her translation."