Atami Izusan Karaku

Atami Izusan Karaku: A Michelin One-Key Sanctuary of Serenity and Splendor

Atami Izusan Karaku, a distinguished Michelin One-Key property in Atami, Japan, offers guests an exceptional ryokan-style experience marked by breathtaking views, luxurious amenities, and impeccable hospitality. It is consistently praised for its thoughtful design, exquisite dining, and the tranquil escape it provides.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for Atami Izusan Karaku is overwhelmingly positive, with many guests describing their stays as "exceptional," "outstanding," and "truly wonderful". The hotel's Michelin One-Key designation underscores its commitment to providing a very special and memorable stay for travelers. Review scores often hover around "Excellent," with cleanliness, facilities, and comfort receiving high marks.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently rave about several standout features:

• Panoramic Ocean Views: The hotel is strategically designed to maximize its location on a hill overlooking Sagami Bay. All guest rooms, the reception area on the top floor, and the various lounges offer stunning vistas of the water and sky. A reflecting pool at reception creates an illusion of the sea merging with the sky.
• Private Open-Air Onsen Baths: Every single room is equipped with its own private open-air hot spring bath, allowing for intimate relaxation with magnificent views.
• Exquisite Dining: The culinary experience is a major draw, with beautifully presented and delicious Japanese kaiseki cuisine focusing on fresh, local seafood.
• Attentive Service: The staff's hospitality is frequently highlighted, described as thoughtful, considerate, attentive, and perfectly timed.
• Luxurious Amenities: The hotel boasts well-maintained facilities including expansive public onsen baths with saunas, multiple lounges (like AWAI and TOKI) offering complimentary drinks, snacks, and even alcohol, a footbath with a view, a spa, and a fitness center.

3. Room Quality

Atami Izusan Karaku offers 57 sumptuously decorated guest rooms, including Deluxe Rooms (in Japanese and Western styles), Karaku Rooms, Universal Rooms, and Karaku Suites. All accommodations are meticulously maintained, spacious, clean, and designed for comfort. Each room features a private open-air onsen bath and, from the middle to higher floors, offers stunning views of Sagami Bay from balconies or terraces. Room amenities typically include linen service, blackout curtains, air conditioning, television, a refrigerator, bottled water, and a coffee/tea maker. Bathrooms are well-appointed with hair dryers, toiletries, and plush bathrobes. The design blends modern minimalism with traditional Japanese aesthetics.

4. Dining Experience

Dining at Atami Izusan Karaku is considered a "highlight" and an "exquisite experience". The main restaurant, MUTSUKI, specializes in traditional Japanese kaiseki-style cuisine with a strong emphasis on local seafood. Dishes are consistently praised for being "beautifully presented and delicious". Guests have noted a changing menu that features fresh ingredients such as lobster, sweet shrimp, various local seasonal fish, eel, and perfectly seared Wagyu beef. An additional dining option, AIJU, offers freshly made-to-order sushi using regional ingredients. Breakfast typically consists of traditional Japanese-style meals. The lounge AWAI further enhances the experience by providing complimentary alcoholic beverages (including draft beer, whisky, wine, and champagne) and refined snacks, alongside a relaxing footbath area. Another lounge, TOKI, offers coffee, tea, and various snacks, including macarons.

5. Service & Staff

The hotel's service and staff receive exceptional praise. Guests frequently commend the "thoughtful hospitality" and the staff's ability to attend to their needs with "perfect timing". Reviews highlight the staff as "very welcoming, polite, and highly professional". The hotel demonstrates proactive service, such as contacting guests in advance to inquire about heights for appropriate bathrobes and dietary preferences. This commitment to guest satisfaction contributes significantly to the overall positive sentiment, with staff receiving a high rating of 8.7/10.

6. Location & Accessibility

Atami Izusan Karaku is nestled on a serene hilltop along Route 135, offering a quiet escape while still providing access to local attractions. It is approximately 1.9 km (about a 7-minute drive) from JR Atami Station. The hotel offers complimentary parking and shuttle service, and guests have noted the convenience of hotel pick-up from the station. While the immediate surroundings are peaceful, the area is rich in nature and ocean views. Nearby attractions include the Izusan Shrine, the MOA Museum of Art (around a 10-15 minute drive), Atami Sun Beach, Atami Castle, and the Atami Plum Garden.

7. Value & Pricing

As a Michelin One-Key property, Atami Izusan Karaku falls into the luxury segment, reflecting its high-quality offerings and experiences. While specific pricing varies by date and room type, Deluxe Rooms start around 58,300 JPY per person per night for double occupancy, which includes taxes and service charges, plus an additional 150 JPY bathing tax for onsen usage. Guests generally perceive the value to be high given the private onsen baths in every room, exceptional service, gourmet dining, and extensive amenities. The "value for money" is rated at 7.8/10, indicating a good balance between cost and the premium experience provided.

8. Common Complaints

While overwhelmingly positive, some minor criticisms have been noted:

• Room Views (Lower Floors): One guest mentioned that a room on the second floor had a "slightly worse" view compared to higher floors.
• Breakfast Perceived Value: One review indicated that the 3300 JPY breakfast, while traditional, was "mediocre".
• Limited Local Dining Options: Some guests advise booking meals in advance as there are "too few restaurants around" the immediate hotel area.
• Tattoo Policy: Guests with tattoos may face restrictions on using public bathing areas if the tattoos are visible to other guests.
• Children's Stays: While children are welcome, complimentary stays are not offered, and additional charges may apply.

Sources

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