A large tourist hotel retaining the atmosphere of the 1950s to 1960s, when group trips to hot spring resorts were popular.
It enjoys considerable name recognition in the Tokai region, partly due to its commercials.
This time, I joined a group tour specifically lured by the chance to stay here.
◆Room
View of the sea, slightly toward the road side. It was on the 12th floor.
Three power outlets. No free Wi-Fi.
A Japanese-style room with tatami mats and a veranda, featuring futons. The TV was about 24 inches. It had a private bathroom with a separate toilet and bath, not a unit bath.
The key was old-style, with only one per room. For a group of four, we had to move based on who had the key, which was quite inconvenient.
I didn't notice any unpleasant odors.
After the banquet, I soaked in the hot spring, crawled into the futon, and fell asleep instantly. When I vaguely woke up, only four hours had passed.
◆Hot Springs
The second and third floors alternate daily.
Sea Turtle and the open-air bath are on the second floor; Shark and the semi-open-air bath are on the third floor.
One kid said, "I thought it was a tank connected to the sea," but it isn't connected lol.
Many fish were plump and well-fed, but the sea turtle especially was huge—bigger than any I've seen at aquariums, which was surprising.
The temperature seemed to vary by location and time, but both baths had areas with water warm enough for long soaks. I couldn't find a panel listing the spring properties, but it felt like the type that improves blood circulation? It reminded me more of Atami than Izu.
There were plenty of washing areas and changing baskets, and the baths themselves were huge, so it felt very spacious.
◆Meals
Dinner was a group banquet menu. It featured the familiar solid fuel-cooked dishes and grilled items common at inns, along with sashimi, fried foods, and simmered dishes – mostly delicious seafood.
Breakfast was buffet-style, probably the same as for regular guests?
The left side had Western food, the right side Japanese. My photo shows just part of it.
The Western food tasted like typical business hotel fare, so I'd recommend the Japanese side where you can make things like whitebait rice bowls.
◆Facilities
A theater-style hall spacious enough for 300 people
Karaoke, game center, dance hall, pool, fishing pond
The game center had cabinets from 20 years ago.
The souvenir shop sold Hatoya merchandise alongside local specialties.
The lobby has a gachapon machine with miniature Hatoya goods (¥300 per play).
⚠️ Elevators are dangerous. The doors lack sensors, close extremely fast, and show no mercy. You must hold the open button down or risk getting pinched while boarding/exiting.
◆Staff
Staff varied in age and nationality. Older staff seemed relatively common? Followed by Southeast Asian staff.
Since we were a group, we didn't interact much personally, but their efficiency and coordination handling a banquet for 300 people was impressive.
◆Drawbacks
・Only one key per room. Especially inconvenient for group stays.
・No Wi-Fi. 4G connection felt slow at times (friend's comment), possibly due to congestion.
・The hot springs are far from the rooms. While the water quality prevents you from getting chilled afterward and you can stroll around in your yukata, it's difficult to use the baths multiple times while resting in your room.
・The elevators are old-fashioned. I saw someone get caught in one three times during my stay.
The facilities seem geared toward groups and families, so it might be less convenient for solo travelers. However, if the conditions suit you, I think it's a nostalgic hotel where you can fully enjoy the ocean.
