Don't let the stylish appearance fool you it's designed worse than a youth hostel. Absolutely the noisiest hotel I've ever been to and useless managers
Rooms are made out of plywood you can hear people talking next door and they let a child run around on top of my head from 4pm to midnight. All staff did was ask them to stop over and over again even thought the family obviously didn't even try to moderate the noise. ... if they didn't stop the first 3 times what do you think they will do on the 5th and 6th time?
The staff had the nerve to raise their voice at me because I stomped to show the stomping noise done by the child.
Even when I had booked their expensive course dinner they sat me next to the same noisy child! I asked to change the place and they asked me if this other table is ok, I can see a couple I think it's fine, I get there and they have both a newborn and a barking dog! I've never seen staff with so little empathy for guests and so little idea of what makes a good hotel beyond a stylish appearance.
The mattress is lumpy and caved in, the bath that comes with it is crowded and again stylish but less comfortable than a neighborhood sento, literally the worst hotel I've ever stayed at in Japan, wants to be a luxury hotel and worse than a hostel because at least a hostel doesn't have children running all night above your head.
Avoid avoid avoid.
Edit: one kind female staff from reception tried her best to help, she drove me to my next hotel as I was too tired to bike after being woken up by the child running back and forth all the morning again with staff doing nothing to stop it and also refunded my stay after how bad everything had been. She was the one ray of sunshine in that stay so thank you to her.
Check-in at SOIL Setoda is available from 16:00 to 20:00, and check-out time is 11:00. Early check-in or late check-out may be arranged for an additional fee depending on availability. Guests should contact the property directly if they require flexible timing outside these standard hours.
From JR Onomichi Station, walk five minutes to Onomichi Port and take a ferry to Setoda, which takes approximately 35 minutes. Bicycles can be loaded onto the ferry for a small additional charge. Alternatively, ferries operate from Mihara Port with a 25-minute journey time. SOIL Setoda is located about 40 miles from Hiroshima Airport, approximately 70 minutes by car. If driving, the property is accessible via Ikuchijima North IC or Ikuchijima South IC from Nishiseto Onomichi IC, taking 30 to 40 minutes respectively.
SOIL Setoda offers studio-type rooms with combined bedroom and living room areas, featuring terraces with views of the Setoda townscape and the Seto Inland Sea. Rooms include air-conditioning, private bathrooms with baths, free toiletries, and slippers. The property also offers dormitory-style rooms with mixed-gender accommodations. Some rooms feature long desks, making them suitable for workcations and remote work arrangements.
SOIL Setoda provides bicycle rentals and offers guided bike tours for guests. The property has bicycle parking facilities for those bringing their own bikes or using rental bikes from other providers. Setoda also has public bicycle rental terminals as part of the Shimanami Kaido cycling network, allowing visitors to rent bikes locally and return them at various points along the route. Free car parking is available at the property.
SOIL Setoda features multiple dining venues. The restaurant Minatoya serves wholesome set meals for breakfast and lunch using seasonal ingredients sourced directly from local farmers and fishermen, and offers wood-fired dishes for dinner. The on-site coffee roaster and café serve freshly roasted coffee throughout the day. Hifumi, the adjacent shop, offers ready-to-eat dishes, bento boxes, and curated food items. Guests can enjoy meals while taking in views of the Seto Inland Sea, and the property's waterfront location provides a relaxing atmosphere for dining.
I was very happy with our stay at Soil Setoda. My brother and I were cycling the Shimanami Kaido and the hotel was a very convenient location (pretty much on the route). The rooms were a very high standard and our view across the water with floor to ceiling windows was absolutely exceptional (I literally gave a cry of delight when I first opened the door to the room!). It was a gorgeous view to wake up to.
The reception has a lovely small shop with local products, which were not touristy or tacky, and I picked up a lot of gifts (for myself and others). We also got a free pass each to the local public onsen, which was a 2 minute walk away, very high quality, and a welcome surprise after cycling all day!
The only minor negative I have was that we were staying in the building with the restaurant below and the sound insulation wasn't great. In the evening, it wasn't too much of a problem because the restaurant closes relatively early, but we were woken in the morning by the staff getting ready for breakfast service. It was totally not the fault of the staff (I'm sure they were doing it as quietly as possible), but the noise came through the walls and floor very easily.
Overall, it was a great stay and I would book again.
I stayed in one of their signature ocean view rooms on my Journey through the Shimanami Kiado biking trail. Yu Yu at reception was helpful and kind. The night crew at Minatoya was an absolute joy. A small critique- charging 1600 yen for a 3oz pour of wine is quite exuberant, But in the spirit of treat yourself, I had a few. The chef was fantastic and even though he couldn’t communicate in English, he did so through his smile and eyes. I had a wonderful evening here. I awoke and made my way downstairs to grab a muffin, tea and orange juice to bring back up to my room and enjoy one of the best views for breakfast in bed that I ever did have. I wholeheartedly recommend this place and especially the seven course dining experience too.
We had a great stay at SOIL in the annex (private bathroom). A stone's throw away from the ferry port for Mihara or Onomichi and an 8 minute walk to the Setoda Tourist Info office which is the official Shimanami Kaido cycle rental / return. Nice staff, great dinner (large portions) and the breakfast was simple but good. The rooms were tastefully decorated, comfortable (bring an eye mask if you need though) and they gave us a little basket to take our towels to the nearby public baths. Highly recommended.
Booked an overnight stay here whilst doing the Shimanami Kaido bike ride. It's a lovely small hotel right by the sea. Staff are very friendly and helpful. We had a tatami studio which was super comfy and scrupulously clean. We also ate the the attached restaurant and the food there was excellent too. No hesitation about giving this place an unreserved wholehearted recommendation.
