Azumi Setoda — Hotel in Onomichi

After our sightseeing-packed visits to Tokyo and Kyoto, we wanted to have a few days of relaxation within our Japan trip. I found Azumi Setoda to be perfect especially as I love a thoughtfully designed boutique hotel with special attention to detail (I knew this hotel as a project by Aman). From the email conversations with Tamae-sama, to the wonderfully warm greeting by the front office manager Ayako-sama and the utmost caring general manager Yoshi-sama - everyone at the hotel was not only highly professional, but also simply made us feel like we are home away from home. :-) The rooms were beautiful and by far our favorite rooms during our trip as they felt like we were living in a contemporary Japanese home. Also, the cypress bathtub was so inviting and the bathroom overall felt like a small spa. The beautiful view to a small Japanese garden from our bed made it difficult to get out of our room :-). We also enjoyed the delicious set dinner by chef Kenya Akita. It was a unique culinary experience where Japanese cuisine meets French technique. Every bite was like a symphony of different flavors. All meals we had including the daily Japanese breakfast were divine - fresh fish and vegetables from the Setouchi area presented on unique authentic tableware. As we stayed for four beautiful nights on Setoda, the team also helped us with a casual dinner at Keima (most delicious nigiri aburi and scallop hotpot), and a super fun bike tour with our amazing tour guide Ryo-sama crossing the Tatara bridge (the views were breathtaking). The island itself and its wonderful people are worth visiting as well! The “Cave of 1000 Buddhas” is quite unique. Finally, I would like to especially thank Ayako-sama who made my mother feel like home as she spoke excellently Turkish which is not common at all. Ayako-sama was always already steps ahead, asking and checking on us on the next day activities and dining options. She gave us the warmest introduction to Setoda - something we will always cherish. We are already looking forward to our next visit to Japan and we will most certainly plan another visit to the beautiful...

There was nothing I did not love about this hotel. I suggest you come to Japan just so you can experience the Azumi Setoda. I am actually perplexed as to how there could be any negative reviews of this hotel at all. ||From the moment we arrived, we were graciously greeted by the hotel general manager, Yoshi. (We travelled to the Azumi Setoda by bicycle on the Shimanami Kaido bike path, which is also a wonderful experience. )||The hotel main building is the former home of a wealthy Japanese salt merchant and it has been painstakingly restored. The |suites are impeccable, all in light coloured wood, with a large low bed, a huge bathroom and shower area with an exquisite wooden tub, and sliding screens that can open the area to make one large room. The bathroom and bedroom both have sliding doors that open onto a private, tiny, self-watering garden (for rooms on the main floor). It is all incredibly peaceful, with a feeling of subtle, clean, understated luxury. ||The spa, restored by Azumi, across the quiet street from the hotel, is the perfect place to unwind, with hot and cold tubs, sauna and steam room. Guests are encouraged to dine in the very comfortable thick cotton hotel T-shirts and pyjama pants. ||The hotel food is all traditional Japanese, a set menu, and served by smiling staff. It was entirely delightful. ||After dinner we were served tea in a gorgeous little tea room . After breakfast we took our coffee in a second floor lounge with garden views. ||Style and sophistication is the name of the game at Azumi Setoda. This is a perfect Japanese hotel in a lovely quiet town. Make sure you...

When we arrived, we were informed that the reservation was for one person instead of two. However, we had booked through Booking.com and received a confirmation email clearly stating the reservation was for two people. The hotel attempted to charge us an additional fee of over 4,000 yen for the second guest. While this error was not the hotel's fault, the treatment we received from one particular front desk staff member was disappointing and far below the standard we’ve come to expect in Japan. She was unnecessarily arrogant and dismissive.

As for the hotel itself, the design is undeniably beautiful, but it lacks warmth and soul. To add to the disappointment, we were told around 9:30 PM that the only alcoholic beverage available for room service was beer because the bar and kitchen had already closed.

Another issue is the layout of the hotel—every time you leave, you’re forced to walk through the dining area, which felt uncomfortable as it drew stares from other guests, mostly foreign tourists.

The morning service was equally disappointing—during breakfast, not even water was offered for our child.

There is significant room for improvement to create a more welcoming and...