Sounkaku

Sounkaku was the first place I stayed. This place has become all-inclusive since the end of last year, so that was one of the things I enjoyed. The whole lobby, rather than the lounge, was relaxing with drinks and stuff. It feels like openness. What was even more surprising was that you could bring drinks from there when you had dinner buffet, so it was all you could drink. Alcohol is also free. Perhaps that’s why the restaurant gradually looks like an izakaya, and we see people staying all the way to the close. The reason I know that is because the path to the public bath is in that lounge, or extension of the restaurant, and it passes by their table, so I can see it. I think this is the perfect inn for those who like to drink or have a drink with friends to their heart's content. Then the two public baths were laid back, with few people. Because people flow into the lounge, it seems that fewer people take a bath compared to the number of overnight guests. The buffet for dinner sold grilled crabs, and the breakfast buffet sold seafood bowls, so I had the impression that many people ate them, but there were many handmade dishes, and I thought they were all delicious and high-level. I chose a renovated room, so it was a beautiful room with a good view of the upper floors. It's a very cost-effective inn with free drinks, but it's lively and you might want to avoid it if you want to relax quietly.

Sadly I’ve to write a not so good review while lying on their hotel room bed now, tossing and turning because unable to sleep. We requested for a non smoking room but the room stinks of cigarette smell. The smoking room is at the 1st level just beside the entrance and that’s the first thing u smell when enter the hotel lobby. Worse is they even sell cigarettes over the counter to smokers and I believe some of them do smoke in the room. I’m very sensitive to cigarette smell and this lingering smell in the room is keeping me very awake at this hour. Other than that, the hotel facilities is quite old. Even the walkway for level 8 lacks of lighting hence it is quite dark. The only few redeeming factors is that their staff is friendly even though they are clearly short handed , and that the buffet has free flow crab legs. Will not be staying here again. Only the hotel lobby looks good. Everything else is quite old. Air con also not working and room is very stuffy . Worst combination with the cigg smell. Gosh.

Every year, I go to ride the Kurodake Ropeway during the autumn leaves season, but this time I decided to stay at a hot spring and ride the ropeway with my mother. I thought I had booked a plan with dinner included, but it turned out to be a room only plan, which was a bit of a problem, but it was an additional charge and it was fine. The front desk staff at the time were wonderful in their attitude and made sure I didn't feel bad, despite my mistake, which made me feel very good. The room was spacious and comfortable, but the lobby was very Hokkaido-like, with a stove for a warm atmosphere, and sofas and chairs in a large space, making it a wonderful space where you can relax and do nothing. The dinner buffet was a bit unsatisfying, but the breakfast was very Hokkaido-like and I was very satisfied. As for the bath, I don't know anything about the quality of the hot spring, but it was completely normal, and I think the facilities were a bit lacking. However, it is a wonderful hotel that I would definitely like to go back to and relax in the lobby and drink beer.