Shiobara Onsen Tokiwahotel

I stayed solo and booked the “Tochigi Beef Sirloin Steak Course.”[Entrance & Lobby] It seems to have been renovated, with a bright and stylish atmosphere.[Front Desk] The staff provided clear, courteous explanations, and check-in was smooth.[Room] Spacious and comfortable. The futon was already laid out, which was great because I could lie down right after arriving. Since my Room was on the 5th floor, the view from the window felt open and refreshing. However, there was no bath in the Room, so I couldn’t wash and hang my rainwear after hiking, which was a bit disappointing.[Baths] The service allowing 30 minutes free use of a private open-air bath was excellent. The large public bath feels a bit dated but has a pleasant atmosphere. Note that there is no outdoor bath.[Meals] Dinner service was timely, and the staff were attentive. The menu said “ochazuke or soba,” but plain rice was also available. The Tochigi beef sirloin was tender and very delicious. Salt, wasabi, ponzu sauce, and other condiments were provided so I could enjoy different flavors. I was also happy they had my favorite sake, “Houou Biden.” For breakfast, I appreciated that it wasn’t a typical buffet but served in a kaiseki style.After checkout I realized I had left a shirt in my Room; when I contacted them, they shipped it to me cash on delivery the next day. Their quick response really helped—thank you very much.Overall, this is a highly satisfying Hotel that I can confidently recommend.

For three adults and one child, the weekday summer vacation rate with one night and two meals was under 31,000 yen. It was unbelievably cheap.The meals were outstanding in both quality and portion size, featuring beef grilled on a ceramic plate, salt-grilled ayu sweetfish, and trout sashimi. Personally, I loved the peach chawanmushi—it felt like a creative dish—but my family didn’t seem to like it much, so it may be something that depends on personal taste.The bath water was excellent, and the service was well handled, which left a great impression.The Room was also nice. If I had to mention drawbacks: I noticed an odor from the old elevator carpet, and the bath window was wide open with earwigs and other insects around—so if you can’t handle bugs, it might be a bit tough.That said, overall it was an extremely good-value stay at this Accommodation.