Hotel Ambia Shofukaku

I stayed here for the first time for the tuna and the Onsen, and it was better than expected. As soon as I pulled up to the entrance, a staff member quickly came to carry my luggage (all the way to my Room), and the parking lot was spacious so I could park with peace of mind. My Room was No. 803, with a full ocean view from the window, and it was new and spotless. It would have been perfect if I could see Mt. Fuji too—unfortunately not. The toilet is automatic, and everything from the sofa to the washbasin area is functional; even the air conditioning is designed so that airflow doesn’t blow directly on you. The large public bath is spacious and includes an open-air bath, and there was even a poster saying Yaizu Onsen is No. 1 in central Shizuoka Prefecture (according to experts). It was an unexpected treat after bathing to be able to enjoy draft beer, snacks, juice, etc., in a lounge-like area. For dinner we chose a private room, so we could eat in a relaxed setting. Everything was good, but in particular the seasonal giant freshwater prawn and eel were plump and delicious. There was also a bingo game in the lobby from 8:30 p.m., with many families participating—it really showed the Hotel’s hospitality spirit. Breakfast was buffet-style; both the venue and selection were extensive—tuna, shirasu (whitebait), salmon, omelets, and more—and it was excellent overall. For this price point, considering everything—the Onsen, meals, Room quality, location, service—it felt far beyond what you’d expect from a “casual” Hotel category. In terms of value for money, this ranks among my best stays ever.

The Room had been renovated and was very clean, with thorough housekeeping. The ocean view was refreshing. The meals tasted great and were more than generous in portion size. The bath area was also clean and well organized. In many ways, it felt significantly better than other Hotels in the same price range. The Hotel staff were pleasant and welcoming, both at the front desk and in the dining area, and we ended up saying we’d like to stay again with our family.