Hotels in Iwakuni

This had been on my radar for years, having stopped in to check it out in the past. The entrance/lobby area is wonderful and the staff members are also wonderful - I guess that is what sold me on it. I finally had a chance to stay there, so made the reservation. I have been in many high end and low end ryokans. In low end things are tattered and food isn't memorable or even very good, but they charge $75-150 per person per night, so I don't expect more. High end ($250-500 per person/night) generally are much nicer with better rooms (with new, nice smelling tatami), nicer baths, and superior food. The price here was about $500-600 before extras for a night for 2 people and I expected much better food. It wasn't bad, but just wasn't special. The room was somewhat tattered and small. The tatami mats must have been old, since there was no nice smell. We had just come from a different ryokan that cost the same and had nicer facilities, a room twice the size and incredible food, so I expected more here. It is older (I think they said 150 years old), but that should be no excuse. The service was very nice and the staff was caring and friendly. I really enjoyed all of the staff members with whom I had any contact. I just expected a nicer room and better food for the price.

This is a very old, but okay hotel. The floor tiles are stained, the walls are thin and the hotel is close to the road, so you aren't getting luxury accommodations. But the room (the family size) was decent size. The bathroom felt like a cruise ship bathroom where it had a plastic insert for a shower and other functions. Also note that you can't flush the toilet, use the sink and/or use the shower at the same time as they all draw from the same water supply. Breakfast is just small Japanese plates. The staff was very helpful, but didn't speak any English.

Amazing service, clean building, staff that we’re passionate about their job. Great location close to the museums and other sites.