이와야역 (사가현) × 석양이 인기 있는 숙소시설・설비의 평가가 높은 호텔·료칸

Every summer vacation, we stay at this seaside Hotel. The Rooms in the East Wing and the amenities are truly wonderful, and we always look forward to them. One small disappointment was that last year there was a bottle of water by the sink in the bathroom, but this time it wasn’t provided. Also, the staff’s service was excellent. In the morning, when my child and I were swimming in the sea, I’m not sure if it was a staff member or a volunteer, but someone was carefully picking up litter on the beach. It was wonderful. Thanks to that, there wasn’t any trash at all on the beach in front of the Hotel, and we could swim comfortably. We’ll be back again next year. We hope it will be even more upgraded—haha.

The Room had a great view, and the large public bath was very relaxing. Also, being able to use the rental bicycles was helpful, as it allowed us to visit places that are difficult to reach on foot.

This was not just a clean Accommodation, but a place that felt like a “second home,” filled with warmth and thoughtfulness. In every corner of the Room, we could feel the host’s care and affection, and throughout our stay we felt comfortable and genuinely welcomed. The meals were also truly outstanding. Each dish was prepared with great care and sincerity—delicious, and an unforgettable taste. We had a truly wonderful time and are sincerely grateful. We would love to visit again.

After check-in, we relaxed in the lounge with our favorite drinks. Dinner was a buffet and exceeded our expectations. There wasn’t an overwhelming number of options, but everything—from seafood and meat to desserts—was delicious, and we enjoyed it with our preferred drinks and the view. Since our child’s birthday coincided with the trip, we also ordered a birthday cake; the staff were very thoughtful, and we were extremely satisfied. Our child carefully carried home the flowers received as a gift without damaging them. Thank you very much. The only disappointment was that there happened to be a large group of children staying at the same time, and some guests did not follow proper manners even though this is a Hotel. One group was shouting in the lobby, running around, fooling around in the elevator, and essentially taking over the table tennis area. Another group left a good impression—the supervisor instructed them not to use the elevator unnecessarily and they greeted others properly. It’s difficult because it’s more about supervision than the children themselves, but I wish the Hotel had addressed it more firmly. They were being too disruptive and it made us uncomfortable, so I informed the front desk; however, during an enjoyable trip I would have preferred not to have to say anything.

This was my first stay here (date of visit: August 17), and it far exceeded all expectations—it was a truly wonderful experience. We arrived around 4:00 p.m., and the staff welcomed us with warm smiles. From the moment we arrived, even before check-in, we could already feel their exceptional hospitality. I was also impressed by their thoughtful attention when they told us “today’s sunset time” as they guided us to our Room. We took a walk along the beach right in front of the Accommodation before sunset, and the pleasant sea breeze made it the perfect refresh. After our walk, we enjoyed the bath in our Room with a view of the beach. The sunset over the Genkai Sea from there was simply breathtaking—an incredibly beautiful panorama that left us speechless! We also bathed at night and again in the morning; spending time surrounded by clear ocean views and soothing wave sounds was pure relaxation at its best. The sushi kaiseki dinner “MURASAKI” was outstanding from start to finish, filled with careful craftsmanship throughout. Every dish showcased seasonal ingredients beautifully—such as lightly seared grunt fish from Genkai, steamed longtooth grouper custard-style, and overnight-dried sweetfish whose charcoal aroma stood out wonderfully. The main course of Saga beef grilled on magnolia leaf with miso, a comparison tasting of three kinds of tuna, and tilefish served with citrus vinegar were all exquisite—and I was completely satisfied all the way through dessert (Karatsu milk and cheese pudding). Breakfast surprised me even more. Beautifully arranged dishes were presented in a two-tiered jubako box; everything tasted amazing, with a level of luxury and quality far beyond what you’d expect from “breakfast.” Thanks to how attentively and kindly the staff checked on us throughout, we started our day feeling truly happy. With its location, spectacular baths with incredible views, superb cuisine, and warm hospitality—all perfectly delivered—this is an exceptional Accommodation. I will definitely return.

Stayed at Karatsu Kimura Chaya to try squid The squid was very fresh and delicious. The simmered fish head, abalone, and sea bream chazuke for breakfast were all excellent. The view from the window was wonderful, and seeing Karatsu Castle while having breakfast—along with the cherry blossoms in full bloom—made it an unforgettable trip to Karatsu.