Hotel berhampiran Sakura Shrine, Matsuyama

Prior to staying at a luxury ryokan in Dogo Onsen proper (Bettei Oborozukiyo), we decided to check out Setouchi Retreat Aonagi as a means to relax on site and explore Tadao Ando's creation. While there's creativity and uniqueness in the design and aesthetic of the property, it kind of left us cold.... it's a sea of concrete in our eyes. Yes, there are some interesting nooks and crannies that stirred our senses, large windows everywhere let in an abundance of natural light, and the decor was tastefully minimalistic, it still felt as if we were staying in a museum or a European castle rather than a grand and comfortable home. Something to experience once, but not really a place one craves to return - at least in our minds. And given that it's a 25-minute drive away from Dogo Onsen, you really need to be a big fan of Mr. Ando to spend more than a night here. Everything about the property was done right. Service is attentive and prompt, the food was very good (not top class but still a memorable experience) and the view of the Seto Inland Sea is Instagram-worthy. We were able to book the one and only Aonagi Suite, which has a massive 170 square meters of living space and is Maisonette-style with the living room having a very tall, double-height ceiling with double-height windows, allowing for breathtaking views and tons of natural light in the room. If there's one nit to pick, it's the lack of a real Onsen bath in the room, which is a bummer. And while many luxury properties in Japan provide a communal or rental Onsen facility (or both), here at Aonagi they offer a Pool with a Sauna and an Onsen Jacuzzi that can be privately rented by guests staying there. Some might like the idea of an Onsen jacuzzi, but we did not. The Onsen experience is supposed to be calm, serene and relaxing; a jacuzzi exudes more of a party atmosphere, which doesn't fit well under this concept. Also, while stylish, the pool and jacuzzi feel like being in a (artificially created) dungeon. I would've much preferred something of an open-air variety, to be honest. The other curious aspect of the property is the fact that all guests (other than those staying at the Aonagi Suite) are forced to dine in the main restaurant. Given that it has ”Retreat” to its name, and caters to celebrities and the wealthy, I would've thought that Aonagi would offer private dining - if not in one's own room, then at least in private ”koshitsu” rooms. We knew this going in, so we were thankful that the Aonagi Suite was available for booking for the date of our intended stay. Dinner was excellent, but how could it not be? Seafood caught in the Seto Inland Sea are world famous in quality, and everything from the local Red Sea Bream, Spanish Mackerel and White Horse Head were fantastic. The executive chef was recently transferred to the property from one of the sister properties (Iki Retreat Kairi Murakami), and still maintains connections to Iki Island that allows him access to amazing fish, namely Lon

The hotel and rooms were very comfortable and the staff couldn’t have been more helpful so feel a little guilty giving it only four stars but I did because we have stayed in other hotels which were a little more personable whereas this was a little commercial so not perfect for the holiday traveller. Next door there is an excellent French /Japanese restaurant I would strongly recommend. Please do not be put of by my review. The hotel is well located and you will have a very comfortable stay.

Nice hotel with a bit of character. As a Brit I was wary of what kind of atrocities might lie in wait at ”Old England”, but it was very tastefully done, and probably at no little expense! The room was tasteful and clean, nice design, dinner was as good as can be expected of a hotel fixed menu. Breakfast? Well, it was no full English, but no major gripes here either. Wouldn't mind staying her again. Would give it a 4.5 if I could.

Before you go: it is good to speak some Japanese. I tried to book it directly with the ryokan so I could choose a menu plan but the English version of the website was not showing available dates and the Japanese version was not allowing to enter a non-Japanese phone number. I emailed them (in Japanese) and was able to get a reservation with the meal plan of my choice (breakfast and dinner and some special side dishes). We stayed at what I think is called superior Japanese room. It was very spacious. Besides the onsen on the first floor, the room itself has a large ofuro. Meals were served in our room. I liked this for breakfast but missed seeing people around dinner time. The onsen dowstairs has two large baths, one is closed and the other is open with rocks and vegetation around. A glass window separates them. After the onsen, there is self-service beer and/or ice-cream. The food was amazing! But I think I went overboard in ordering the special sea bream sashimi. We stayed two days there, relaxing at the onsen after climbing the Matsuyama castle ramp/steps or after cycling the Shimanamikaido in Imabari (about 40 minutes from Matsuyama) felt like heaven. The staff was extremely warmth and professional. In this place you will see the true Japanese hospitality ”omotenashi”.

Stayed 2N. The property is locate next to the Dogo Onsen (Japan's oldest onsen) which is undergoing renovations. The hotel is equally old and is designed in a very elegant way. I was assigned a low floor room with a partial view of an ornate stage. I opted for the traditional Japanese room which was very large. The floor was tatami and the futon bed would be setup by the houskeepers in the evening and packed away in the morning. The room came with 4 sizes of yukata for you to choose. The yukata can be worn within the property and even for a walk into town. The room was well appointed and clean . The toilet had a bath and squat shower, and WC in a separate closet. The bed was very comfy. Wifi signal was strong. The AC was on the warm side, but fortunately, I could open the windows to let in fresh air. The highlight was the onsen with indoor and outdoor pools. Located next to the onsen entrance was self-service **free** sake and some sweets for children. Breakfast was served in a banquet hall and with an incredibly large array of choices. All the staff we met were hospitable. Will return.

スタンダードツインに2泊しました。駐車場ビューでしたが、広くはないもののバスルームを含めとても清潔、ベッドサイドのUSBポートがスマホの充電に便利でした。また、アメニティのドリップコーヒーと空の冷蔵庫が良かったです。部屋にはスリッパと雪駄があり、ビーチサンダルが好きな私には外を歩くのに抵抗がない雪駄が快適でした。最上階にある大浴場は部屋のテレビで混雑度が分かり、眺めの良い清潔な露天風呂もあって癒されました。朝は6:00からで2日間とも6:00に行きましたが、結構混んでいたのでもう少し早く開くと良かったと思います。朝食は2日間ともメニューは同じでしたが、もともとの選択肢が非常に多かったので、飽きることはありませんでした。宇和島鯛めしと豆腐、フレンチトーストが特に美味で、毎朝食べ過ぎました。街からのアクセスも良く、道後温泉に宿泊する機会があったら、次回も選択したいと思います。

道後温泉本館の目の前にあり、抜群の立地でした。GO　TOトラベルを使って、１室２名で利用。朝食と道後温泉入浴券が２名分ついて、総額１万２千円というお得価格となりました。 部屋の天井には段差があり、普通のビジネスホテルとは少し違った工夫が凝らされています。朝食は館内１階にある人気店すし丸でしたが、朝食に関してはごく普通の和定食。ただ、さすがに白ご飯はなかなかおいしかったです。

一泊二日二食付きプランで申し込みしました。外観は古く見えるけれど、中はレストランをはじめモダンで明るい印象。フロントの方はベテランな方が多く親切でしたし、レストランは繁忙期だからか学生さんっぽい若い方が多かったですが、初々しい感じも含め好感が持てました。夕食のメインが事前のリクエスト情報が間違っていたようだったけれど、すぐ対応してくれて助かりました。ディナー時のビュッフェと朝食時のビュッフェの内容が違っていたのも変化があって良いなと思いました（夜のビュッフェでしか見かけなかったシェルパスタとカボチャのグラタンなどしつこすぎないいい加減の味でした）。商店街や道後温泉本館から至近、口コミを見て宿泊予約をしましたが、駐車代金800円/日は高く感じたけれど、気持ち良い滞在ができ、リピートしたくなるホテルでした。

Of all the many lodging options on this trip, this one is the best. It scores highest marks in every category, from location to meals to service. It is near a busy shopping arcade. Just down the incline is a foot bath next to a mechanical clock which has moving parts on the hour. Many people stood around it to view the action. The arcade is interesting too. I bought a bag of clementines -- very sweet, 400yen/KG. The onsen is so relaxing and no one there except for a father and young son. We were in room # 1503 in an annex connected to the main building by a long corridor. No English television channels, huge balcony with view, and 2 Western-style twin beds. Dinner was in a private structure next to the river -- Kawaseki. Getting down there from the ryokan was not smooth. We had total privacy. The food was brought down by large bento boxes filled with seafood, soup, side dishes. So delicious. The newspaper is delivered to the room. The breakfast was just as wonderful as the dinner. Too bad we stayed only one night. This is the only lodging I wish we could have stayed longer.

It has a lot of great things available for entertainment.we got to try the karaoke for free and we enjoyed it. They were really helpful and attentive but the rooms need proper cleaning and the food was good as well.