旅籠Hatago 香乃蔵 — Local services in Yufu

My husband and I were very excited to stay in Yufuin and at the Yutei Konokura. I didn't realize it was outside of the core of Yufuin, but this didn't bother us as much. A few days before our arrival, we contacted the hotel a few times to ask how to get there, but no one responded. So when we arrived, we had to rely on asking people. Obviously we got lost, and dragging heavy suitcases on highways and dirt roads isn't much fun. Finally we found the place and as we approached the manager came outside. Instead of welcoming us, the first thing he said was, "you're not supposed to be here now, check in is later." We of course knew this and wanted to leave our bags. Eventually we walked into the hotel and were told we'd have to wait in the lobby for 2 hours or go back to town. No offering of tea, no how was your trip or at least a welcome. I understand we were early, but we were spending a lot of money. We were told we couldn't use the shuttle service because we didn't pay for dinner. Let me remind you, we still paid $270. While waiting in town for check in, we saw the shuttle arrive to pick up other guests. The driver saw us and just ignored us. I understand policies, but it seemed a bit ridiculous. When we arrived again, they just showed us to our room, gave us the key and left. Every other ryokan has been attentive, hospitable and taken the time to make sure we were comfortable and happy. This was a very disconnected experience and not at all what we hoped for from a ryokan stay. Also you can hear the highway from the room. Very loud, especially at night. I will say, the onsen is very nice and made up for the cold welcome. We wouldn't come back or recommend...

My husband and I were very excited to stay in Yufuin and at the Yutei Konokura. I didn't realize it was outside of the core of Yufuin, but this didn't bother us as much. A few days before our arrival, we contacted the hotel a few times to ask how to get there, but no one responded. So when we arrived, we had to rely on asking people. Obviously we got lost, and dragging heavy suitcases on highways and dirt roads isn't much fun. Finally we found the place and as we approached the manager came outside. Instead of welcoming us, the first thing he said was, "you're not supposed to be here now, check in is later." We of course knew this and wanted to leave our bags. Eventually we walked into the hotel and were told we'd have to wait in the lobby for 2 hours or go back to town. No offering of tea, no how was your trip or at least a welcome. I understand we were early, but we were spending a lot of money. We were told we couldn't use the shuttle service because we didn't pay for dinner. Let me remind you, we still paid $270. While waiting in town for check in, we saw the shuttle arrive to pick up other guests. The driver saw us and just ignored us. I understand policies, but it seemed a bit ridiculous. When we arrived again, they just showed us to our room, gave us the key and left. Every other ryokan has been attentive, hospitable and taken the time to make sure we were comfortable and happy. This was a very disconnected experience and not at all what we hoped for from a ryokan stay. Also you can hear the highway from the room. Very loud, especially at night. I will say, the onsen is very nice and made up for the cold welcome. We wouldn't come back or recommend...

　2015年3月に新婚旅行(九州温泉巡り)で利用させていただきました。ここは、一言で言うなら「大人の隠れ家」です。わたくし達の滞在中はいわゆる団体客はいませんでしたし施設としてはとても小規模なのですが、その分、目配り気配りが行き届いているように感じました。|　申し遅れましたが、わたくしの妻は全盲です。宿は、国道沿いにありますが、ナビですぐに辿り着けます。妻の事は予め連絡しておかなかったにも関わらず、到着すると、女将さんがソッコーで食事処やフロントから最も近いお部屋をご用意して下さいました。|　お部屋は二間続きで、奥の部屋は天井が物凄く高く開放感があります。純和風の大正時代にタイムスリップしたような調度品…煎れてくれた美味しいお茶を飲みながらゆっくりしました。|　ここの魅力の一つでもある、部屋付き露天風呂ですが、奥の部屋の縁台？のようなところから、入るようになっています。お風呂は岩風呂で２人で入るには十分すぎる程の広さがあります。お湯の質のようなものはドシロウトなのでよくわかりませんご、滑りやにおいはなく、極めて普通のお湯なのですが、湯上がりにポカポカし、肌がスベスベになるので間違いなく温泉でしょう。(笑)そういえば、女将さんが「湯布院のお湯の特徴はそういう風にお肌がすべすべになるところなんですよ。」てなことを言ってました。さらに「(人間の)身体を元に戻そうとする作用もあるらしく例えば、パーマなんかもここのお湯に浸かると元に戻るのが早いんですよ。」とも言ってました。とにかく、人間本来の姿に戻して？くれるらしいです。アメニティーも素敵な和風のセットが一人一人に用意して下さってますし、備え付けのシャンプーやコンディショナーもいい香りがしました。そんなこんなで、宿を出るまでに実に四回もお風呂に入ってしまいました。そして、奥の間にはまだ寒いからかもしれませんが、ストーブやこたつといったあったかグッズもあり、お気遣いに感謝でした。|　食事ですが、本館というか、部屋から少し離れたところでいただきました。食事は地元で取れた野菜を中心に自然食？というんでしょうか？食材本来の味を大切に作っているそうです。確かにとれたての野菜や山菜類は甘みがあり、お腹にもたれず不思議なことに食事の後も喉がかわきません。ご主人が「化学調味料の類は一切使っていません。」と言ってました。野菜はもちろん、お肉やお魚も地元や近場で取れた食材を上手に使ってその食材の美味しさを最大限に引き出しているように思いました。夕食も朝食も味も量も充分でした。夕飯は食べきれなかったじゃこのご飯をおにぎりにして下さり、夜食として美味しくいただきました。|　一泊二日の滞在でしたが、ここは「お風呂」と「料理」…そして、ご主人と女将さんをはじめとしてスタッフの優しさやお気遣いがいたるところにあるように思いました。全盲の妻がまた行きたいと言ってましたので間違いないと思います。そういえば、ご主人と女将さんの間にお子さんが生まれて間もないと聞きました。次はその子の成長を見にまた訪れたいと思います。...