Kura Hotel Ichinoseki

The location was very convenient, less than a 5-minute walk from Ichinoseki, and close to a convenience store and bus stop. I was very happy that there was a large public bath, sauna, and cold bath. It was a shame that I couldn't bathe in the open air, but it wasn't crowded so I was able to spend a relaxing time.

The big bathroom was nice

ソファの汚れが目立つ！ そこだけ残念🫤

I chose this hotel because there were no non-smoking rooms available at the hotel near the station. It's only a five-minute walk, but it's conveniently located near the station and shopping district. It was my first time staying in a hotel with a sofa in a single room, and it was very comfortable. The navy blue of Hiraizumi is the theme color of the room, which is quite nice. After checking in, I couldn't find any restaurants nearby other than bars where I could have dinner, so I went to the restaurant on the first floor of the hotel. They offer free soba noodles for guests, and then I enjoyed a free drink at the bar "Kura" in the annex. The large public bath (not a hot spring) was almost entirely ours, and we were able to use the sauna and massage chairs, which was a great experience! If I had to be picky, I would have appreciated some spare towels, as we would have used the small towels and bath towels from our room in the public bath. Breakfast was a buffet with a wide variety of options, including zunda mochi. The banquet hall was spacious enough, and we even enjoyed dessert and coffee. All the staff were very helpful. The only drawback was the shower in our room. I only used it in the morning, but it kept alternating between hot and cold water and never settled at the right temperature. Being a cold area, I thought it would be tough in the winter. I wonder if it was just a problem with this room. Overall, I can see why this hotel is the most popular among hotels in Ichinoseki.

The hotel is conveniently located near the station, with restaurants, supermarkets, and convenience stores nearby. There's also a restaurant attached to the hotel and a bar in a separate building, so you can easily get around the hotel. The large communal bath on the first floor isn't a natural hot spring, but it's spacious enough and there's even a sauna. My room was next to the elevator, but I was able to relax in peace and quiet. The room facilities are a little dated, but they're well-appointed and not too small. The breakfast selection is just right, and I found it to be just right. I'd say this hotel is perfectly satisfying.

This hotel offers a wide range of services. There's even a sauna in the large communal bath. Perhaps because we didn't use it, the temperature was low. It was empty for the ladies, so we had the room to ourselves, which was great, allowing us to relax at our own pace. The wooden walls are soothing. The cold bath is right in front of us, and the flow is great for quickly cooling down. Amenities are also provided. They offer a free bowl of soba noodles in the evening. I guess they're imitating the service at Dormy Inn. Unlike Dormy Inn, they also offer other menu items, which are charged. As the name suggests, there's a storehouse on the premises, which doubles as a bar, where you can drink alcohol. Guests can get a free drink. You can also take it back to your room. We stayed for two nights, and it was empty on the first night, but full on the second night (though there were only about six seats). I think it offers a great place to chat while relaxing at the hotel. The location is also good, a direct walk from Ichinoseki Station. We didn't have breakfast. There aren't many restaurants nearby that offer breakfast, so if breakfast is a must, this might be worth considering. The front desk staff only interacted with me during check-in and check-out. In other words, I think the hotel is simple and good. It was a busy weekend stay, and this hotel was the only one I could find on a hotel booking site. A double room on the top floor (non-smoking) cost 39,200 yen (for two adults) on a weekend booking via Rakuten Travel. The price may be a little higher than a business hotel. I think it includes the services I mentioned here, and with room rates recovering after COVID-19, this price may be unavoidable.

Although the restaurant on the first floor was nice, cleaning supplies were placed right at the door of the room for over an hour before check-out. It was as if he was telling me to leave quickly. I informed the front desk, but they didn't seem to notice the fault. When I checked in, I asked about a nearby store, but was told that the store was closed, so please call before going. I don't think people who don't have a service mentality are suitable for being a hotel manager. The bar was nice and it's a nice facility, but I think the staff needs to be replaced. I would do that if I were a business owner. It's a waste. Because people create organizations.