HACIENDA VISON HOTEL (Hacienda Vison Hotel)

At last, I made it to Hacienda Vison—somewhere I’d been wanting to visit for ages. As an interior lover, it had been on my list forever, but I never quite got around to it.This small Hotel has only six Rooms and is the first project designed under the direction of The Conran Shop in London, UK. I’ve always loved its mid-century feel and the way wood and natural materials are paired with black metal accents.“I want to see it.”With that feeling alone, one day I booked on impulse online.I took the first Shinkansen of the day to Taki Town in Mie Prefecture.The moment I stepped into the Room,“I want to live here.”That was all I could say. (Laughs)High ceilings, a kitchen included—everything from the furniture and lighting to the textures was exactly my taste. It felt like a space created by gathering every single thing I love into one Room.The minibar had two bottles of Acqua Panna, 100% Mie-grown satsuma mandarin juice (additive-free), Isekadoya Pale Ale, and more—all available complimentary. (Of course it’s probably included in the stay, but I can’t resist seeing “Help yourself.” (Laughs))Even though it’s a new Hotel that opened in August 2024, they intentionally chose traditional keys instead of auto-locks.Carrying a key with a brass Room number while strolling around VISON felt like part of the Hotel’s world—such a lovely touch.Surrounded by mountains, you catch soft hints of earth and wood in the air.It reminded me of my grandmother’s house—and Hokuto City—and before I knew it, I took a deep breath.Apparently just seeing mountains and greenery instantly puts me in a better mood. (Laughs)After working up a sweat, it was time for a bath.Soaking while looking out at the garden greenery was incredibly relaxing, and the shampoo and body wash were from Bamford in England.I also loved their philosophy: “What you put on your skin is as important as what you eat.”Even down to the logo on the slippers—every detail was thoughtfully done.You can also step out into a small private garden from your Room; it felt like such an inviting space that I found myself thinking, “I want to have breakfast here tomorrow morning.”My work-filled mind during weekdays slowly quieted down just by gazing at the mountains, zoning out for a while, and taking baths.It reminded me that travel isn’t only about scenery or food—it’s about what kind of time you get to spend there.Next time, I’d love to stay in another Room too. It truly was a wonderful Hotel.

After having a great stay at the VISON Hotel, we decided to change things up and stayed at a hotel designed by The Conran Shop. I love interiors, and we went on the recommendation of an architect couple— it was fantastic. The staff were friendly and attentive, and since it was Friday, they even showed us other Rooms; next time I’d like to stay in a different one. Breakfast is served in the Room, and the sandwich portion was so big it almost finished me off, but it was delicious. Half would be enough—fruit might be better. We will definitely visit again.