SHIONOMARU — Hotel in Imabari

I just got back from my stay at Shionomaru Hotel in Ehime, and honestly, I’m still thinking about it! This place is such a perfect mix of old-school Japanese charm and modern... !

From the moment I walked in, I was greeted by the friendliest staff who made me feel right at home. They were super helpful, always with a smile, and gave me some great tips on where to explore nearby. Their hospitality really stood out (japanese style lol)

The room was cozy, blend of traditional Japanese elements like tatami mats and these japanese room screens. you're surrounded by hills and nature. It was a nice spot to relax after a busy cycling day.

The onsen here was one of the best I’ve been to. After a long day of sightseeing, soaking in the warm, natural spring water was pure heaven. Super peaceful – I honestly didn’t want to leave...

The hotel’s restaurant was also top-notch. I had some amazing local dishes, and they were all fresh and so delicious. The staff even gave me some recommendations for seasonal dishes, which was a nice touch. If you’re a foodie, you’ll love this place!

I can’t recommend Shionomaru Hotel enough. It’s got everything you could want for a relaxing, memorable stay – great service, a comfy room, beautiful onsen, and awesome food. I’ll definitely be coming back next time...

Avoid like the plague...||The most dingy, dirty and creepy hotel I have ever stayed at. Got there in the evening after completing the "shimanami Kaidou" bike ride, all we wanted was to relax in our rooms. We were met with an extensive check-in process, once that was sorted we moved into this dirty, outdated lift with a smell. It is fair to say, the whole hotel carries a smell of cigarette and moisture. The rooms were atrocious, the carpet was stained and worn-out, the sofa had a huge stain on it, the side table was covered in dust, the paint was coming off the cracked walls and to top it all off, there was some sort of powder on the curtain that would rub off on you when opening the windows. All this with the strongest smell of cigarette. They provide a kettle and cups in the room but no tea or coffee and old used unhygienic slippers are provided for use. The corridor leading to the lift in the evening was very eerie and creepy with barely no light and some light music in the background.||The breakfast was mediocre at best (the host had a runny nose) and our checkout time was moved from 11:00 to 10:00am. ||Keep in mind we were a party of 3 with separate rooms and we all shared the exact same experiences. These issues are NOT isolated to...

Avoid like the plague... The most dingy, dirty and creepy hotel I have ever stayed at. Got there in the evening after completing the "shimanami Kaidou" bike ride, all we wanted was to relax in our rooms. We were met with an extensive check-in process, once that was sorted we moved into this dirty, outdated lift with a smell. It is fair to say, the whole hotel carries a smell of cigarette and moisture. The rooms were atrocious, the carpet was stained and worn-out, the sofa had a huge stain on it, the side table was covered in dust, the paint was coming off the cracked walls and to top it all off, there was some sort of powder on the curtain that would rub off on you when opening the windows. All this with the strongest smell of cigarette. They provide a kettle and cups in the room but no tea or coffee and old used unhygienic slippers are provided for use. The corridor leading to the lift in the evening was very eerie and creepy with barely no light and some light music in the background. The breakfast was mediocre at best (the host had a runny nose) and our checkout time was moved from 11:00 to 10:00am. Keep in mind we were a party of 3 with separate rooms and we all shared the exact same experiences. These issues are NOT isolated to...