Hotel Viamare Kobe

The room wasn't huge, but it was perfectly adequate. More importantly, it was immaculately clean, and the service was excellent and very attentive. The staff at this Italian hotel spoke good English, which was a huge plus. Overall, I was very satisfied. Also, its location in a bustling area made getting around incredibly convenient.

After a previous elevator issue, I was hesitant to walk to the hotel alone and opted for a taxi, though it was only about a 6-7 minute ride from Hankyu Kobe-Sannomiya station. The building seems quite old, and I was somewhat bothered by the condition of the bathtub in the room – specifically, the noticeable marks and scratches, as depicted in pictures. While the complimentary snacks were a thoughtful touch, I personally would have preferred bottled water. The immediate vicinity is primarily made up of high-end boutiques, corporate offices, and commercial buildings, meaning dining options are limited. You'll likely need to head towards Sannomiya for restaurants. There's a FamilyMart convenience store located about a 2-3 minute walk away. I didn't check for a Lawson, so I can't comment on its proximity. For breakfast, the sausages, French toast, and gratin were all delicious, but the gratin was truly exceptional and my top recommendation! Despite there being only one elevator, I found that the waiting times were never long enough to be an issue.

It was a little dimly lit, which was a minor concern, but it was very clean and that was great!

Overall, it was a decent stay, likely an established hotel. The air conditioning unit was quite loud; we had to turn it off to get some quiet. Otherwise, the surroundings were relatively peaceful, and the area was good for exploring. A major inconvenience was that the hotel is located on the second floor. Checking in required us to carry our luggage up numerous steps, which definitely needs improving. Additionally, the duvet in the room was incredibly thick. I'm not sure what material it was, but it made a loud rustling sound with every turn. It was too hot to sleep under, yet too cold to sleep without. Considering we paid nearly 1000 per night, we didn't feel it offered good value for money. If the price were under 500, it would be much more in line with its overall offering.