Dormy Inn Premium Shimonoseki — Hotel in Shimonoseki

In Japan it's often cheaper to stay at hotels in larger cities and make side-trips to the countryside towns\locals you want to visit. Shimonoseki was my base for seeing the city itself, Chofu Jokamachi next door and a longer day-trip to Hagi.||||Dormy Inn Premium Shimonoseki is the best mid-range hotel between $50-100. It could probably compete with hotels up to $150. The hotel is in the former industrial dock area but it's not unpleasant and very quiet. It's about a 5-10 minute walk with luggage from Shimonoseki station. That station takes you to Shin-Shimonoseki (Shinkansen) in 5 minutes so it's a worthwhile detour from the bullet train route. The bus stop to go to the Fish market(5 mins), cable car(10 mins) and Chofu(15mins) is just 2 blocks north right before Toyoko Inn. The fish market\downtown area is walkable in 15-20 mins if you rather walk on a nice sunny day.||||The hotel is not near downtown but that place is dead at night anyways. It's also reachable by bus fast. The hotel 3 blocks from train station for fast transportation. The older Showa part of Shimonoseki with all the Izakayas and restaurants is just north of the station so this hotel is good choice if you plan on doing that.||||The rooms are new, clean, with modern design and rather good-sized comparatively to other Japanese business hotels. I stayed on the 7th floor facing the station. It was quiet at night and I couldn't hear other patrons next door in other occupied rooms so sound-proofing is decent. The ofuro (large public bath) on the upper floor was the best part. This hotel has a large indoor one that can accommodate 6-7 people comfortably and a smaller outdoor one with a great view of the bay and across to Kyushu that can hold 3-4 without bumping into each other. The plaque on the wall says it's natural hot-spring water that's slightly salty and acidic. It's not reheated tap-water like you get at other hotels. Just don't get it in your eyes. People often get shy or have hangups on being naked with other strangers but don't let your mental hangup prevent you from enjoying one of the best things about being in Japan. After-all when in Rome do as the Romans. The Japanese are experts at ignoring each other as they go about in the ofuro so they will have no problems ignoring you. Coincidentally I have been in Roman baths in Rome and Turkish baths in Turkey and this is no first rate ofuro.||||The non-smoking room was truly non-smoking not like some other hotels where they let smokers into the non-smoking rooms when they are full. I didn't smell any smoke residue in the curtains, carpets lamp shades etc. ||||Bed was not huge but decent sized. I'm 6'1" so not the average tiny Japanese. The reception desk English is adequate to check in\out. Japanese often can read English better than they can listen to it so try writing if you need more complex services.||||Overall you will get a restful, relaxing stay for very little cost $71 total/nightly for me in a double room during late winter(off season). I would stay here again if visiting the...

We took 3 double rooms at Dormy Inn Premium Shimonoseki in early Nov this year, stayed for 2 nights. Selection was based on the following:||||1) walkable distance from Shimonoseki station. This hotel is less than 10 mins walk from the station. (Do not confuse with Shin-Shimonoseki station, the latter is for the Shinkansen and 10 mins by local train from Shimonoseki station). Take advantage of the shuttle service, every 10 minutes to the station. Saves you some walking, particularly if you have luggage upon check-out. ||||2) Onsen onsite within property. Dormy Premium Shimonoseki has a fabulous natural open air onsen, with spectacular outdoor views of the port and neighbouring islands, facing the Seto sea. Best for a city hotel that we have come across. Also, immaculately clean, and stocked with premium toiletries. Separated by gender for male and female.||||3) Washer/dryer. Available at hotel at minimal cost for the dryer. The washer and detergent is free. Located within the onsen area. ||||4) WIFI throughout property. Reception was good. ||||5) modern hotel rooms, comfortable beds, smoke free!! But note, they don't have twin rooms, so if you are travelling with a child, might need to book 2 rooms.||||||Being fans of the Dormy Inn chain, we were used to the same successful formula of the above + massage service and great breakfast. Dormy Shimonoseki has a superb breakfast variety, one which we have come to expect from the chain, and even between the various Dormy hotels, this one shines with superior quality in terms of variety (the fruit for instance, while we were there, included local grapes. And some rather expensive Japanese cod roe). At Y1800 for adults (half for kids 12 and below), I would still consider it good value. ||||While we were there,||- our elderly mum (70) had a 90 min massage at the hotel. The male therapist was fantastic.||- the hotel recommended some restaurants within walking distance from the hotel||- we bought our groceries from Halloday, a huge supermarket 3 mins walk from the hotel. Fantastic local prices, local variety. Fruit galore, as Yamaguchi is known to produce variety of fruit.||- checked out Edion (huge electronic store) and Daiso right across from the hotel||- visited Karato fish market (900Y by taxi). We took the taxi there and walked back (takes around 25 mins with children aged 13, 12 and 8).||- visited Kokura (15 mins by local train). We had a fantastic Teppanyaki lunch at Rihga Royal. We then took a ferry across back to Shimonoseki, which stops directly at the Shimonoseki Aquarium. The kids had a wonderful time on the ferry (10 mins ride).||||Relative to other Dormy Inns, this hotel was smaller than Gion Hakata, and also that of Wakayama's. But everything worked. We would stay again if we are back in the area, as it was good...

History: Originally built and opened in 2010||Location: East side of Shimonoseki train station, approximately 8 minutes walk from there. Centrally located in the city.||Interior Décor: Simple and functioning. Better than the older generations of Dormy Inns.||Exterior Appearance: 10 story hotel in downtown Shimonoseki.||Outside view from the room I stayed at (201): Street level view of east side of Shimonoseki central city area. Relatively well organized area.||Room Size: Approximately, 18 square meters for one queen size bed. Slightly bigger than average Dormy Inn rooms.||Room Cleanness: A bit worn walls.||Bathroom: Compact size. Shower only. Large size bath (public bath) is located on the 10th floor.||Noise Insulation: OK.||Price and Value: Inflated Saturday night stay.||Bed: Queen size (width 160 cm). Firm mattress. Slept OK.||Breakfast: Featuring local Shimonoseki gourmet, blowfish. Better than average selections and appearance.||Public bath on the 10th floor: Good public path with large size tubs....