Sakura no Shou Kotohira Grand Hotel — Attraction in Kotohira

I am looking at some of the photos posted by other travelers who stayed at this hotel. Some ring a bell and others do not. I am wondering if I was located in a different area of the hotel as my bathroom wasn't done in the modern style I see in some of the photos. ||||I loved my two overnights at Sakura no Sho Kotohira. My accommodation was very comfortable with the futon on the floor. The little evening snack provided, along with the kettle and tea bags were much appreciated.||||The room was very clean....although the bathroom was a tad outdated.||||When the housekeeping team arrived to make up my bed for the evening, it was like poetry in motion watching these girls go through their manoeuvres. Not one ounce of energy is wasted in any part of this evening ritual. Especially when it came time to make the bed. It was like watching ballet!!||||Fresh ice water is delivered in a jug in the evening. There is an assortment of 'yukatas' and 'obis' in the room for guests to wear when out in the public areas or in the restaurants.||||The swimming pool was cooling after the heat and exertion of the day.The onsen were beautifully appointed with fresh lemons, rose flowers and another fragrant, which I can't remember now. ||||Our daily schedule was vigorous, however it still allowed us time to enjoy the relaxation elements of this delightful hotel. ||||Breakfast was amazing....with Japanese food on one side of the restaurant and Western style food on the other. It served the best assortment of fresh fruit I had seen in almost one week of travelling thro' Japan. ||||The staff were very friendly and could not do enough for us. There were umbrellas, towels, sun hats and walking sticks for guests' use at the front door. ||||The day we arrived, a fruit juice was served with a chilled cloth before we made our way to our rooms. Such detail to attention makes you feel happy to be there.||||By the time it was time to leave for our next destination....I was just beginning to settle into this very comfortable hotel. ||||I would highly recommend it, if your travels take you...

My girlfriend and stayed here for one night before doing the 1368 steps to the Konpira-san shrine. Conveniently located off the 22nd step and next door to the famous Kabuki theater (also worth a visit)! Nice, very attentive service. Upon entering we were seated at a nice table in the entry way, provided a tasty hot matcha tea and small food by servers in kimono, as they checked us in while we relaxed. Very welcoming. Nice gift shop in the lobby with good selection of reasonably priced Japanese treats. || Wonderful dinner with amazing food. Multicourse meal, starting with 1/2 dozen small dishes, then with incredible array of specialties, complimentary small citrous wine (other alcohol not free). Entree (option of meat or fish), udon ( choice of 6 types), fish stew, sashimi, tempura, delicious daichi soup, and finished with ice cream from fresh fruit. Almost no English spoken or printed at hotel. Breakfast buffet had quite large selection, including some of the best hamachi, tai and sake sashimi I'd had in Japan; very fresh. Tamago wasn't the best , but sufficient. Had small Western breakfast (yogurt, pancake, french toast, crossaint, rolls, and I think some dry cereals). ||Room (#513) was slightly small (not by Japan standards!) with two double beds with just about 1 ft between them, tatami mat, small low table. We appreciated having separate toilet from bathing room. Onsen was simple with two temperature indoor pools and two outdoor pools, and steam room. Onsen open 0500-2400, sauna closed at 2200h. Massage was inexpensive, 65 Y per hour; not amazing but...

This is an onsen hotel that caters to Chinese-speakers I think. Upon entering, I was greeted in Mandarin by one of the two hostesses. One is from Kwangtung and the other is from Taiwan. The more I know about this ryokan, the more I like it. We stayed two nights in room #1902 with a view of town and Western-style beds (though I didn't see any Westerners as guests). I immediately went to the men's onsen for 15 min -- very nice.||Just outside the entrance begins a very busy pedestrian shopping street that ramps up to a Shrine with 400+ steps which I didn't attempt.||The food served at breakfast and kaiseki dinner are outstanding. This is where Sakura shines. For Chinese guests, there are Chinese noodles and xiao lung bao. You can make your own udon bowl. Etsuko was our very excellent server at dinner.||I couldn't find coffee before breakfast. There are no 7-11, Family Mart, or Lawson's nearby.||I'd return for the food...