Kuramure — Hotel in Otaru

First of all, the main picture used to present the hotel does not give justice to the place.||This is a big marketing mistake from TripAdvisor and / or the management team.||Seriously, this is a designer / high end hotel, the picture used is deceptive to say the least.||From the outside, it looks like a bunker without entrance sign. It reminds me Philipe STARK design : bold, strong, massive, almost impressive feeling from outside.||From the inside,|It is all about design, with maximisation of light volumes and space, almost felt like I was James Bond checking in one of these unique hotels.||Check in|5 people welcomed us, from the first second you step inside, you understand you are going to experience something unique.|Check in was quick and efficient, I had a macha (Japanese green tea with that light foam on top, sign of quality and craftsmanship during the making).||The room|We wanted to experience Japan hospitality, the room is somehow a reflection of that: could seem rough, almost aseptic from outside (massive Metallic door) but once inside, felt warm, not in any excess, neat and comfortable.||YUKATA is de rigueur inside the hotel so they provide a grey one for the day and a white one for sleeping.||The highlight was the view over landscape of trees (absolutely nobody in front of the window) and a decadent onsen bath.||It is a deep bath using real hot thermal source, so hot that you can soak and leave the window open (there was snow outside), so refreshing yet so relaxing.||The service|Do not dare to be late for dinner or Breakfast... you have to be on time. They would come to your door 5 minutes before serving time if you are not already in the dinning room! Can be surprising but I guess this is cultural: I’m Latin so I’m always late... ||The food|The negative: too salty to my taste|The positive: everything else!|The food was imaginative, diverse, interesting, beautifully presented and using tableware of upmost quality||The waitresses were experienced but with limited English (I speak a bit Japanese so this closed the communication gap easier)||The bath experience|Amazing but way too hot for me|Maybe 5 degrees less and I would have enjoyed it but it was way too hot to stay more than 30mns, even in the outdoor part (it was minus 6 but still could not manage to soak my whole body: too hot)|Like many Japanese baths, as you are naked, men and women are separated.||The bed|This is a let down for my gaijin background: too hard, I slept on top of the bed cover to compensate.||Same with the pillow that uses traditional fillings... not use to this but I guess this is part of Ryokan experience: you try something new compare to an hotel.||My regret: no bedside table and no USB plugs or international adaptors.||A good surprise : the air humidifier to compensate with the dry air from the heater. It was well appreciated!||I was blessed to have 40cm of snow during my stay, it turned a unique experience to something almost magical.||All in all|Yes it cost about 2000 AUD for 2 nights, this is not for every budget BUT|Gosh, what an experience!|And, if you take into consideration that they serve 2 meals (huge Japanese personalized banquet of 8 dishes), plus access to spring hot source plus alcool and drinks for free... it is quiet a good deal!||This is a genuine luxury Japanese experience not to be missed if you are in Otaru.||I already feel sad (I left this Ryokan this morning)... and eager to come back when my children are big enough to enjoy such experience. |This kind of feeling you have when you know that you just experienced something unique.||Thank...

First of all, the main picture used to present the hotel does not give justice to the place.||This is a big marketing mistake from TripAdvisor and / or the management team.||Seriously, this is a designer / high end hotel, the picture used is deceptive to say the least.||From the outside, it looks like a bunker without entrance sign. It reminds me Philipe STARK design : bold, strong, massive, almost impressive feeling from outside.||From the inside,|It is all about design, with maximisation of light volumes and space, almost felt like I was James Bond checking in one of these unique hotels.||Check in|5 people welcomed us, from the first second you step inside, you understand you are going to experience something unique.|Check in was quick and efficient, I had a macha (Japanese green tea with that light foam on top, sign of quality and craftsmanship during the making).||The room|We wanted to experience Japan hospitality, the room is somehow a reflection of that: could seem rough, almost aseptic from outside (massive Metallic door) but once inside, felt warm, not in any excess, neat and comfortable.||YUKATA is de rigueur inside the hotel so they provide a grey one for the day and a white one for sleeping.||The highlight was the view over landscape of trees (absolutely nobody in front of the window) and a decadent onsen bath.||It is a deep bath using real hot thermal source, so hot that you can soak and leave the window open (there was snow outside), so refreshing yet so relaxing.||The service|Do not dare to be late for dinner or Breakfast... you have to be on time. They would come to your door 5 minutes before serving time if you are not already in the dinning room! Can be surprising but I guess this is cultural: I’m Latin so I’m always late... ||The food|The negative: too salty to my taste|The positive: everything else!|The food was imaginative, diverse, interesting, beautifully presented and using tableware of upmost quality||The waitresses were experienced but with limited English (I speak a bit Japanese so this closed the communication gap easier)||The bath experience|Amazing but way too hot for me|Maybe 5 degrees less and I would have enjoyed it but it was way too hot to stay more than 30mns, even in the outdoor part (it was minus 6 but still could not manage to soak my whole body: too hot)|Like many Japanese baths, as you are naked, men and women are separated.||The bed|This is a let down for my gaijin background: too hard, I slept on top of the bed cover to compensate.||Same with the pillow that uses traditional fillings... not use to this but I guess this is part of Ryokan experience: you try something new compare to an hotel.||My regret: no bedside table and no USB plugs or international adaptors.||A good surprise : the air humidifier to compensate with the dry air from the heater. It was well appreciated!||I was blessed to have 40cm of snow during my stay, it turned a unique experience to something almost magical.||All in all|Yes it cost about 2000 AUD for 2 nights, this is not for every budget BUT|Gosh, what an experience!|And, if you take into consideration that they serve 2 meals (huge Japanese personalized banquet of 8 dishes), plus access to spring hot source plus alcool and drinks for free... it is quiet a good deal!||This is a genuine luxury Japanese experience not to be missed if you are in Otaru.||I already feel sad (I left this Ryokan this morning)... and eager to come back when my children are big enough to enjoy such experience. |This kind of feeling you have when you know that you just experienced something unique.||Thank...

One of the best Ryokan I have ever stayed in Japan. Period.||Designed by famous Hokkaido architect Nakayama, from the outside, it is completely understated, once you crossed the entrance threshold, you are transformed into a world of quiet elegance and zen.||Guests are first brought to a relaxed and quite living room and presented with macha and sweet. The luggage is transported to the room by the staff while you relax and take in the wonderful view of the garden. ||We stayed at a two story room with bathroom and living room downstairs and two separate bedrooms upstairs with our own small garden. The bathtub is equipped with natural thermal spring water that allows the guest to enjoy the hot spring in private if you wish. The hot spring room has both indoor and outdoor pool with the later having a wonderful view of the mountain forest behind. ||Dinner and breakfast are served at your own private dinning room at your desired time. They are delicious and you can taste the care the kitchen staff put into the food. Our dinner organic rice even has the name of the farmer presented in the menu. One special thing about this Ryokan is that all your drinks, includes all the liquor, coffee, tea, soft drink are all inclusive. There is even a beautiful bar where the guest can sit and enjoy a cocktail, a nice glass of shochu or Sake, a glass of champagne or wine, all included in the charge already. ||Service is impeccable, attentive without being intrusive, they sincerely make you feel at ease and treat you like royalty. We are already planning our return in the...