Hotel Ōtaki — Hotel in Nikko

Honestly, you can't get much better for the price here.

That said, it's a significant walk from the station (~15min), which hurts if you're traveling with any amount of luggage.

Additionally, the baths (1 small-medium indoors one, and 1 quite small outdoors one) are again, small, as well as barely warm.

Dinner costs extra, drinks would cost extra, shuttle to train station costs extra.

There's 2 complimentary-use massage chairs in the lobby, as well as a lovely little library with plenty of Japanese titles (manga, novels, childrens' picture books) for reading in a small benched, tatami area. They also provide complimentary robes, towels (big and small), toothbrush sets, razors, and shower caps in the lobby next to the elevators. Shoes are taken off at the entrance and all guests walk around barefoot or with socks indoors. Complimentary outside slippers are provided for going out to the baths, etc.

Rooms are clean, spacious, and beautifully Japanese with tatami flooring and small step-spaces throughout. They plop thin mattresses on the tatami with bedding, which wasn't the most comfortable, though. We would have been much comfier with traditional Japanese futon bedding.

The best part of this hotel is honestly its free shuttle to its sister hotel, the Plaza. They advertise it in the elevators. You ask them for a shuttle in the lobby, and a concierge will take you in a short van drive over. The baths at this sister hotel are SO much nicer and better. There are several hotter and bigger baths, a jacuzzi for the ladies, and a nice outdoor pine one for men. They also offer many complimentary lotions, tea/water outside the baths, and 2 massage chairs each for the men's and women's areas. I added a star to my review JUST for this service to the...

We spent 5 nights in this hotel and enjoyed every moment

(1) The rooms were large, clean and comfortable.

(2) The tall and lean elderly gentlemen at the front office reception was always ever helpful, polite and welcoming. He could understand and speak a little English which was useful for us.

(3) There is a public onsen in the hotel which we enjoyed. It faces the forest and was extremely refreshing and calming. All the towels, yukata and facilities are all provided to use the onsen.

(4) There is a free massage chair we used after our onsen which further helped to relax our body and mind.

(5) We used the hotel as a base to travel to nearby attractions (all within an hour's drive), including

Lake Chuzenji Kegon o-take Kirifuri highlands Ryuokyo Canyon, Gorge, Valley Setoaikyo Dams Kinugawa suspension bridge Strawberry nursery Toshogu Imaichi town Center

(6) Only downside may be that it was not very near the train station nor eating places. Walking to the train station could take around 15 mins. But since we drove, it was not an issue. Parking at the train station cost Y500. Parking at the hotel was free. Parking at most other places we visited was free too. Two of the Japanese restaurants nearby which we tried to patronise rejected foreigners or families who do not drink alcohol, so we ended up driving further away to look for food. Walking to the nearest convenience store (7-eleven) takes around 5 mins.

(7) On the day we arrived which happened to be a Sat, there was a traditional Japanese buffet at the hotel. It was an interesting experience and food was good :) Many of the guests were in Yukatas, and enjoying their dinner after...

It's a good hotel, and I understand that the location is decent which I'm not complaining about.

Room is comfy, toilet floor sticky but other than that, it's fine..

It's the service of the front counter staff, I asked a middle age guy who is quite thin regarding the buffet breakfast and dinner. All I asked is whether it is possible to make any reservation for the next 2 days if any. His response is a really impatient "no" while gesturing with his arms crossed.

I was confused and tried to ask about it more but then he got even more impatient (no hate about the language barrier , which I did fine with most of the ppl here in Japan via translator apps).

The guy started speaking to his phone and showed me what was written " we would need to accommodate for 500 guests at Plaza hotel, I cannot eat it" . Why would suddenly so many guests from the other hotel becoming over here for a meal?

I dropped the subject quickly as the man is getting angry at me for trying to ask more.

Then I asked if there's any space for bus transport to the train station (there's 3 per day in the morning) + showing him said date on my phone (in 3 days time). Again, he gave me the response (via speaking into the translator app) , "there's no bus time now to the station. It will be in the morning ". When I tried asking for said date, he got really angry and loudly said "no" and gesture with his arms again.

I was so confused why the staff's attitude is so bad and be treated like this. Like I understand that there will be no space already but is there a need to act so impatient in front of...