Itomachi Hotel 0
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Hotel Details
Location
Itomachi Hotel 0 · Saijo, Japan
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Key Highlights
- ✓Cleanliness: The hotel receives exceptional scores for cleanliness, contributing to a serene and comfortable environment.
Expert Review: Itomachi Hotel 0
Itomachi Hotel 0 in Saijo, Japan, a property selected by the Michelin Key, offers a unique and sustainable luxury experience, blending innovative eco-friendly design with local charm and exceptional hospitality. Opened in 2023, the hotel has quickly garnered attention for its architectural significance and commitment to regional revitalization.
Overall Rating & Sentiment
The general consensus for Itomachi Hotel 0 is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently praising its cleanliness, modern design, and the overall comfortable atmosphere. It boasts impressive ratings, including an 8.6 overall on Agoda, with an outstanding 9.6 for cleanliness. Trip.com shows a rating of 9.2/10 from 19 reviews, highlighting its exceptional quality and value. Guests have described their stays as "exceptional" and have expressed a strong desire to return.
Key Highlights
Guests consistently laud several aspects of Itomachi Hotel 0:
- Sustainable Design: Designed by renowned architect Kengo Kuma, it is Japan's first zero-energy hotel, utilizing innovative energy-saving technologies and inspired by the natural surroundings of Mount Ishizuchi and the local "Uchinuki" groundwater. This eco-conscious approach is a significant draw for many.
- Cleanliness: The hotel receives exceptional scores for cleanliness, contributing to a serene and comfortable environment.
- Modern Amenities & Architecture: The striking angular roof and two airy levels connected by open-air walkways are frequently highlighted. Amenities like complimentary Wi-Fi in all rooms and public areas, and a free spacious car park, are appreciated.
- Connection to Local Culture: The hotel aims to be a community hub, offering guests opportunities to experience the culture of the Saijo area and interact with locals.
- Iyo Blue Stone Baths: Guests can enjoy luxurious rooms featuring Iyo Blue Stone baths.
Room Quality
The rooms at Itomachi Hotel 0 are described as spacious, clean, and designed with a minimalist aesthetic. They feature blonde wood flooring, pale green tilework, and simple writing desks, with luxurious beds often placed on elevated platforms. The interiors incorporate the delicate colors of Iyo blue stone and motifs inspired by the region's natural beauty, particularly the "Uchinuki" water. Some rooms offer living areas with sleek modular furniture and private terraces. Certain rooms are designed to accommodate bicycles, catering to cyclists visiting from the Shimanami Kaido. Guests have particularly appreciated the separate and spacious bathroom facilities, including a shower room, toilet, and washbasin.
Dining Experience
The hotel offers a notable dining experience, especially for breakfast and dinner.
- Breakfast: Served in a half-buffet style at the hotel's "RECEPTION CAFE," breakfast emphasizes fresh, local ingredients from Ehime farms, including seasonal vegetables and eggs. Guests can choose one main dish (such as egg benedict made with Bihou eggs, fish, or hamburger) and one soup (seasonal or Ishihana soup), with side dishes and drinks available as a buffet. Reviewers have praised the delicious and healthy offerings. The coffee on the terrace and the use of a Balmuda toaster for bread have also been highlighted.
- Dinner: The hotel collaborates with local restaurants. An Italian restaurant, "Er Bisteccaro ito," overseen by Chef Natsuki Yamazaki of a popular Ginza restaurant, offers dinner courses and à la carte options like pizza Margherita and carbonara. There is also a cafe bar, REGALIS, offering meals, whiskey, cocktails, and craft beer. Some guests have found the evening meal, particularly the Italian full course, to be superb. However, one minor complaint noted that the dinner venue is located outside the main hotel building within the "Itomachi area," which can be inconvenient in bad weather.
- Self-Catering: For those who prefer to cook, there's a communal kitchen and an adjacent "Itomachi Marche" where guests can purchase fresh local produce and ingredients.
Service & Staff
Guest feedback consistently praises the staff for their friendly, kind, and excellent service. Guests have felt welcomed and well-cared for throughout their stay, with staff paying attention to details, such as portion sizes at the restaurant.
Location & Accessibility
Itomachi Hotel 0 is nestled in the charming city of Saijo, known as "the City of Water" due to its abundant "Uchinuki" groundwater from Mount Ishizuchi. It is part of the "Ito Project," an environmental city initiative.
- Nearby Attractions: The hotel serves as an ideal base for exploring cultural and natural attractions. The Railway History Park is a short distance away, and the majestic Mount Ishizuchi, the highest peak in western Japan, offers breathtaking views and hiking trails. The tranquil Kamegamori Forest also provides serene walking trails. Saijo City itself has been ranked as a top rural place to live in Japan.
- Transport:
- From Matsuyama Airport (MYJ): The hotel is approximately a 30-minute drive by car or taxi. Alternatively, a shuttle bus can be taken to Matsuyama City, followed by a train to Saijo Station (total travel time around 60 minutes).
- From Saijo Station: The hotel is a brief taxi ride away or a pleasant 15-minute walk.
- By Car: It is about a 10-minute drive from the Iyo-Saijo IC on the Matsuyama Expressway, with free parking available for up to 77 cars.
Value & Pricing
While Itomachi Hotel 0 is considered a premium choice, guests feel it offers excellent value for the quality of service, ambiance, and amenities provided. Room prices generally range from $151 to $200, which is slightly higher than the average hotel in Saijo (around $76 to $100) but justified by the elevated experience. Some reviews indicate prices around ¥16,000 per person per night with breakfast included.
Common Complaints
While feedback is largely positive, a few minor issues have been noted:
- Lighting: Some guests have found the room lighting to be too dim.
- Dinner Venue Distance: The outdoor location of the dinner restaurant within the "Itomachi area" can be somewhat inconvenient, especially in inclement weather.
- Limited Amenities: A few guests felt the amenities provided were somewhat sparse.
- Navigation: Finding the parking lot entrance at night can be a bit challenging, and using the hotel's phone number for car navigation might sometimes lead to a public facility rather than the hotel directly.
Sources
Points to Consider
- •While feedback is largely positive, a few minor issues have been noted:
Google Reviews
144 reviews
Recent Guest Reviews
D N
Beautiful done. Modernized. I will love to be back again. Room are big and designed well. Let’s see how the breakfast Tomoro 😁 Clean. Green. And said to try to Zero energy.
Response from the owner
Thank you very much for staying with us at ITOMACHI HOTEL 0, and for taking the time to share such a wonderful review. <br> <br>We are truly delighted to hear that you enjoyed our modern design and ro...
Gregory Abramowitz
Beautiful hotel, with delightful staff who were gracious and helpful when we arrived on our bikes absolutely soaking. Rooms are pristine, bed was comfortable, and the grounds were pleasant. A stand out in Saijo where most hotels are of the business hotel variety. We also stopped in at Itomachi Marche next door and had some outrageously tasty snacks and beer on their deck before dinner - highly rec...
Response from the owner
Thank you very much for choosing our hotel out of the many accommodations available. We also sincerely appreciate you taking the time out of your busy schedule to share your feedback.<br><br>We unders...
AH Yeo
Stayed one night in May. Twin room. Huge compound with a marche, cafe, Italian & Jap restaurant. Clean and minimalist hotel, like Muji type of vibes. I only ordered breakfast which was good. Nearby there are eateries and a supermarket. They provide you with a shopping bag in the room and a tumbler to fill with spring water from the water source on the ground floor.
Response from the owner
Thank you very much for choosing our hotel out of the many accommodations available.<br> We also sincerely appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback.<br>Furthermore, we are especially grat...
Genya
We enjoyed a lunch course for a birthday party and farewell party with friends. We could choose one main dish, and then freely enjoy rice, bread, salad, coffee, and more in a buffet style. The vegetables were fresh, locally sourced from Saijo. Every dish was very delicious. There was also time for entertainment, making it a perfect place for large gatherings and commemorative parties.
Response from the owner
Thank you very much for visiting ITOMACHI HOTEL 0 "RECEPTION CAFE".<br>Thank you again for taking the time to send us your lunch feedback as well as your beautiful photos.<br>We are very happy to hear...
Charles G
This is a new hotel with a zero emissions theme. Interesting room decor, minimalist style. Certainly not for budget travellers as it is a tad overpriced for the lack of facilities (i.e., no gym, pool, recreational games, wellness programmes) and amenities (limited toiletries). I was actually disappointed with the breakfast. No cappucino or latte machine, only brewed coffee. No soy or oat milk eit...
Steven Do
100% clean energy hotel, very cozy and well-decorated. Highly recommend when you visit Saijo city.
Response from the owner
Thank you very much for staying at ITOMACHI HOTEL0.<br><br>We would also like to thank you for your feedback and the wonderful photos.<br><br>In addition, some of the hotel's interior decorations feat...
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