Shonai Hotel Suiden Terrasse
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Hotel Details
Location
Shonai Hotel Suiden Terrasse · Tsuruoka, Japan
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Key Highlights
- ✓Curated Library: A unique feature is the library with 2,000 books curated by book director Yoshitaka Haba, offering a fantastic space for reading and relaxation.
- ✓Exceptional Staff: The staff consistently receives high praise for their warmth, friendliness, attentiveness, and willingness to go above and beyond for guests.
Expert Review: Shonai Hotel Suiden Terrasse
Shonai Hotel Suiden Terrasse, located in Tsuruoka, Japan, is a distinctive property celebrated for its unique architectural design, tranquil setting amidst rice fields, and commitment to local experiences. As a Michelin Key Selected property, it is recognized for offering a high-quality stay.
1. Overall Rating & Sentiment
The general consensus for Shonai Hotel Suiden Terrasse is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently describing it as exceptional, wonderful, and beautiful. It consistently receives high ratings across various platforms, with an overall rating of 7.4 on Agoda and 8.7 on Booking.com. Cleanliness, comfort, and staff performance are particularly lauded.
2. Key Highlights
Guests consistently rave about several key aspects of the hotel:
- Design & Ambiance: The hotel's architecture, designed by the renowned Shigeru Ban, is a major draw. It's a low-rise, wooden structure that appears to float on the rice fields, seamlessly blending with the natural surroundings and offering a serene atmosphere.
- Onsen (Hot Springs): The two-tier onsen, including indoor and outdoor baths, a sauna, and a gym, all facing the picturesque rice fields, are a highlight for many, providing a relaxing and rejuvenating experience.
- Curated Library: A unique feature is the library with 2,000 books curated by book director Yoshitaka Haba, offering a fantastic space for reading and relaxation.
- Farm-to-Table Dining: The hotel's commitment to local, seasonal ingredients in its restaurant is highly appreciated.
- Exceptional Staff: The staff consistently receives high praise for their warmth, friendliness, attentiveness, and willingness to go above and beyond for guests.
3. Room Quality
The rooms at Shonai Hotel Suiden Terrasse are described as modern, spacious, and comfortable, offering a rich sense of natural light and the warmth of wood in their design. Many rooms boast direct views of the surrounding rice fields, where guests can observe the changing colors of the seasons. Room types range from Double and Twin rooms to larger Maisonette and Suiden Suites, accommodating various traveler needs. Amenities typically include private bathrooms, air conditioning, modern furnishings, a work desk, TV, and free WiFi. Some rooms also feature balconies and deep soaking bathtubs.
4. Dining Experience
The dining experience at Shonai Hotel Suiden Terrasse is centered around a "Farm to Table" concept, emphasizing fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from the Shonai region's sea, mountains, and farms.
- Restaurant Moon Terrasse: This open-space restaurant overlooks Mount Gassan and offers a pleasant ambiance for all meals.
- Breakfast: The buffet breakfast is a highlight, featuring Japanese cuisine with freshly cooked rice, local vegetables, and fish. Halal, vegetarian, and vegan options are also available. Guests praise the delicious and fresh local produce.
- Lunch & Dinner: Casual meals using regional produce are available for lunch, while dinner offers regional dishes paired with sake from local breweries. Cuisines offered include Italian, Japanese, local, international, and European.
- Sake Bar: The hotel also features a sake bar, offering a range of locally made drinks, craft beers, and sparkling wine, which can be enjoyed in a casual setting, even in room wear.
5. Service & Staff
The service and staff at Shonai Hotel Suiden Terrasse receive consistently high marks, with a staff performance rating of 9.5 on Agoda and 9.0 on Booking.com. Guests frequently describe them as warm, friendly, attentive, and exceptional. Reviewers have noted staff going "above and beyond" to assist with issues, such as rental car problems. The hospitality contributes significantly to the overall positive guest experience.
6. Location & Accessibility
The hotel is uniquely situated amidst the vast rice fields of the Shonai plain, offering a quiet and peaceful retreat away from urban bustle. This rural setting provides beautiful seasonal views that change from bright green in summer to golden yellow in autumn and off-white in winter.
While offering a serene countryside experience, the hotel remains relatively accessible:
- Tsuruoka Station: Approximately 1.7 km from Tsuruoka Station. A walk from Tsuruoka Station can take about 25 minutes.
- Shonai Airport: Located about 6.2 miles (10 km) away.
- Local Attractions: Tsuruoka Park is about a 3-minute drive away. Kamo Aquarium is approximately 6.8 miles (11 km) from the hotel.
- Parking: Free on-site private parking is available for guests traveling with a vehicle.
7. Value & Pricing
Shonai Hotel Suiden Terrasse is often perceived as offering "affordable luxury" and exceptional value for money. With an average room price of around $211, it is slightly higher than the average in Tsuruoka, which is $159, but guests feel the experience, design, and amenities justify the cost. It is considered a luxurious and relaxing option for those seeking exclusive rooms and services.
8. Common Complaints
While overwhelmingly positive, a few minor criticisms have been noted by some guests:
- Breakfast Variety: One review mentioned that while the breakfast was fresh, the variety might be limited for international options.
- Spa Crowding/Bugs: A guest suggested the spa might be crowded and there could be "some bugs in summer time."
- Sake Bar Staff/Dinner Quantity: One reviewer had a negative experience with the sake bar staff, citing a lack of English explanation and unwelcoming service. The same reviewer also felt the dinner quantity was "too poor for the price."
These complaints appear to be isolated incidents and do not reflect the overall sentiment, which is highly favorable.
Sources
Points to Consider
- •While overwhelmingly positive, a few minor criticisms have been noted by some guests:
- •These complaints appear to be isolated incidents and do not reflect the overall sentiment, which is highly favorable.
Google Reviews
1,203 reviews
Recent Guest Reviews
Aln BRD
I traveled all the way from the Czech Republic specifically to stay at Shonai Hotel Suiden Terrace, and this was my third visit. This time, I stayed for three nights, and once again, the experience exceeded every expectation. This is a truly high-class hotel, both in design and in the quality of the experience it offers. The breakfast is outstanding, featuring an exceptional buffet focused on loc...
Bull Dogg
This is an excellent hotel which deserves more than three stars. We were impressed with the quality and design of the hotel - very Scandinavian with wood everywhere. The staff is very professional and friendly, and always helpful. The rooms are big with a living room and kitchenette (which you won’t need because the restaurant is excellent). The beds are big and very comfortable. There is onsen on...
Robyn Huang
I will always have fond memories of staying at this hotel with my daughter. The space is boundless, architecturally beautiful, clean and just joyous to walk through. Our room G112 was comfortable and cozy, and our daughter spent many nights playing with all the puzzle toys in the room. The breakfasts were healthy. The staff were so nice. We just had a wonderful experience using this as a base to ...
Matthew Reichel
Fantastic property in the north of Tsuruoka. The rooms are very comfortable, spotlessly clean, spacious and functional. The property itself feels like a true architectural creation. Very simple and nice service, unfussy yet professional. Breakfasts have been luxurious. We’ve had a really great stay here!
ye shocker
At check-in, the male staff member selected me based on my gender. It was a very unpleasant experience. Conversely, if I had been his type? If I had been to his liking, it would have been a pleasant experience. Amenities can be minimal, but there was only one cotton swab provided. Wouldn't it be better if the front desk could provide them to guests who need them? The concept is good, but the servi...
ADI GILADI
The place is overall amazingly and uniquely designed. The rooms are large and of excellent quality, which is fun to be in, but: 1. The sauna and baths are a bit too small 2. Restaurant: It seems like an attempt to squeeze money out of the guests. I have no other word The cost for dinner is very high and it feels like you are getting the minimum possible so that the price justifies itself. There i...
Response from the owner
Thank you very much for staying at SHONAI HOTEL SUIDEN TERRASSE. <br> <br>Thank you very much for your kind words. <br>We will share your comments with our staff and make every effort to improve. <br>...
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