Hayama Hotel Otowa No Mori

Hayama Hotel Otowa No Mori, a Michelin Key Selected property in Yokosuka, Japan, offers guests a luxurious and serene escape with stunning ocean views and exceptional hospitality. The hotel is celebrated for its tranquil ambiance, elegant design, and high-quality culinary experiences.

Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for Hayama Hotel Otowa No Mori is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing their stays as relaxing and memorable. Review scores consistently highlight excellent facilities, comfort, and staff performance. It is considered a "hideaway from the noise of the big city," providing a peaceful and luxurious environment for adults.

Key Highlights

Guests consistently praise the hotel's breathtaking ocean views from all rooms, the serene atmosphere, and the exceptional service provided by the staff. The elegant, white-based interior design contributes to a peaceful and immaculate space. The hotel's main dining restaurant, known for its fresh, local ingredients, is also a significant highlight. Amenities such as Simmons beds, Acqua di Parma bath products, and Illy coffee makers further enhance the luxurious experience. The infinity pool facing Sagami Bay, fed by natural hot springs, offers a relaxing soak.

Room Quality

All 15 guest rooms at Hayama Hotel Otowa No Mori boast ocean views, with interiors primarily based on white to create a peaceful and immaculate space. While standard rooms may not be exceptionally wide, suites offer more spacious accommodations. Rooms are designed for comfort, featuring amenities such as Simmons beds, flat-screen televisions with cable programming, complimentary wireless internet access, free mini-bar items, safes, and coffee/tea makers. Private bathrooms include separate bathtubs and showers with rainfall showerheads and complimentary L'Occitane toiletries. Higher-end suites may also feature plunge pools, Jacuzzis, or balconies, allowing for in-room breakfast with a Pacific breeze. Housekeeping services are provided daily.

Dining Experience

The hotel's main dining restaurant, Shioyuki (also referred to as Shiosai), offers a delicate-taste and high-quality French course meal, leveraging plenty of fresh seafood from Sagami Bay and produce from the Miura Peninsula. The restaurant provides an ocean-view dining experience. Celebrities, including Michael Jackson, have reportedly dined here. Breakfast is described as a Western-style light meal, featuring locally sourced ingredients like Miura vegetables, and can be enjoyed with a magnificent ocean view. For those staying in rooms with balconies, breakfast can be served al fresco, enhancing the luxurious feeling. The cafe terrace also offers spectacular ocean views and a casual à la carte menu, including the popular Hayama burger made with Hayama beef and original cakes by the patissier.

Service & Staff

The service and staff at Hayama Hotel Otowa No Mori consistently receive high praise from guests. Many reviews highlight the staff's professionalism, attentiveness, kindness, and "inimitable" hospitality. Guests have expressed being moved by the staff's welcoming smiles and thoughtful consideration, particularly for special occasions like birthdays, for which birthday plates have been arranged. The reliable and professional staff are noted for catering to guests' needs.

Location & Accessibility

Hayama Hotel Otowa No Mori is situated in the exclusive Hayama resort area, which is easily accessible from Tokyo and has historically been a prestigious escape. It is approximately a one-hour drive from Tokyo and about 90 minutes by train from Haneda Airport. The hotel offers a natural setting surrounded by the majestic mountains and ocean of Hayama. It is about a 15-minute taxi ride from Zushi Station on the JR Yokosuka Line, or about 15 minutes from Zushi IC on the Yokohama Yokosuka Road. For hotel guests, a shuttle bus service is available from JR Zushi Station. The location offers exceptional views of Sagami Bay and Mount Fuji. Nearby attractions include Tateishi Park and Morito Shrine.

Value & Pricing

Hayama Hotel Otowa No Mori is considered a high-quality establishment, and its pricing reflects its luxurious offerings and Michelin Key selection. While specific average prices vary, individual rooms have been seen from around $470. The value for money is rated highly by guests. Room prices can fluctuate significantly, with the low season (often July) offering potentially cheaper rates with an average 49% drop, while the high season (often March) sees prices rise by an average of 91%. Weekend nights tend to be more expensive than weeknights.

Common Complaints

While overwhelmingly positive, some reviews subtly hint at potential considerations. One guest mentioned that rooms might not be considered "wide" unless staying in a suite, suggesting that standard room sizes could be a point of note for those accustomed to larger accommodations. Additionally, the cafe terrace does not accept reservations and operates on a first-come, first-served basis, with admission restrictions possible during peak congestion, which might be an inconvenience for some guests. However, no recurring or significant complaints were explicitly highlighted in the available public reviews.

Sources

1. booking.com
2. japantravel.com
3. otowanomori.jp
4. pref.kanagawa.jp
5. michelin.com
6. ikyu.com
7. cleartrip.com
8. hotel-otowanomori.co.jp
9. kayak.com
10. pref.kanagawa.jp
11. feelshonan.jp
12. ascendtravel.com
13. feelshonan.jp