Grand Mercure Awaji Island Resort & Spa

I made a Reservation because I wanted to enjoy great food and make my daughter happy.The kids’ lounge was wonderful—children could play, and adults could relax with a drink while reading manga.Both breakfast and dinner were buffet-style, featuring many delicious dishes centered on Awaji Island. However, my 2-year-old daughter loves apples, but they were served with the skin on, so we had to cut them with scissors while eating. It would be even better if they were prepared in a more child-friendly way in the future.

That morning, we suddenly felt like soaking in an Onsen and decided on a last-minute trip to Awaji Island.My husband and I made a Reservation at this Hotel because it had great reviews for the food, an Onsen, and reasonable prices.We arrived at 2:30 p.m., completed only the check-in procedures, and requested our preferred dinner time (5:00 p.m. for us). Since Room keys were handed out from 3:00 p.m., we waited near the lounge with complimentary drinks.At 3:00 p.m. we received our Room key, and when the lounge opened my husband enjoyed beer and sparkling wine with some dry snacks until 5:00 p.m.About 10 minutes before our Reservation time, we moved to the restaurant.Dinner seating was first-come, first-served—you choose any available table. We lined up from 10 minutes early and secured a very good seat, though there were plenty of tables overall.The selection of dishes wasn’t huge, but whenever something ran out the staff promptly refilled it. I especially liked the beef shabu-shabu, sea bream sashimi, and conger eel tempura.After that we went to the Onsen. The shoe lockers and changing-room lockers didn’t have many open spaces so I expected it to be crowded, but inside it was actually quite empty.There was also an open-air bath; everything was spacious so we could relax comfortably, and the post-bath drink service was great as well.I fell asleep in our Room afterward, so I didn’t use the lounge at night.Breakfast offered more dishes than I could possibly try—fresh raw whitebait, somen noodles in sea bream broth, smoothies, eggs Benedict, fresh salads, and more. The croissants and somen in sea bream broth were especially delicious.After eating we were able to enjoy another relaxing bath once more.They also had excellent services for children, so next time I’d like to bring our grandchildren too.