Hotel Dengan Pools di Wakayama Prefecture, Japan

I came here because of Detective Conan, and the hotel's location is just incredible – facing the sea, absolutely stunning! However, since the hotel is in a small town, taking the bus during peak season can be really inconvenient. You can contact the hotel to arrange a taxi, but most local drivers don't speak English. There are many great places to eat in town, but they tend to close early. The hotel's onsen is very comfortable; soaking in the hot spring while listening to the sea is a wonderful experience. The hotel is also very close to Engetsu Island, where you can watch the sunset 🌄 – it's truly amazing and perfect for photos! The only drawback is that the facilities are a bit old, probably due to its long history!

I was a bit worried about the wooden building, wondering what it would be like, but it looked just like the dilapidated wooden building next door (lol). There were creaky stairs and hallways, and signs above the rooms indicating where the emergency equipment was installed. I even passed my room once (lol). The door wasn't an auto-lock, but a manual lock. The door opened from the inside, making it difficult to find shoes and slippers. The bathroom was just to the right, but putting my shoes at the back made it inconvenient to get in and out, while putting them at the front made it inconvenient (lol). Entering the room across a narrow bay, I found it spacious! It was a bright corner room with a great view! My biggest concern was the futon, but it had a 10cm mattress, so it was just as comfortable as a bed! I didn't notice any smells or anything. The ocean was right below the window, so it looked like I could go fishing (lol). It was full of interesting things to point out, and while I found it amusing to joke about wanting to take pictures of dilapidated buildings, I wouldn't recommend it if you're looking for luxury. For me, it was surprisingly good ☺

I was in Osaka for the weekend and decided to take a spontaneous trip to Wakayama and Shirahama. To my surprise, hotel prices in Shirahama had significantly increased, and some were even fully booked. I figured it might be due to Halloween. The Shirahama Marriott is one of the few international chain hotels in Wakayama, located right next to the famous Shirarahama Beach. The price wasn't too outrageous, so I quickly booked a package that included dinner and breakfast (one night, two meals). Overall, it offered decent value for money. We arrived in Shirahama quite late. It was less than a 10-minute taxi ride from the JR station. Check-in was quick, and they acknowledged my Marriott membership, but unfortunately, there were no benefits offered, which felt a bit stingy 😅. I booked a basic city view room. It was indeed a rare spacious room for Japan and quite clean. However, we were given the lowest floor with no view to speak of, and there was a slight, odd smell in the room. While it wasn't a major issue, it did detract a bit from the experience. The dinner included in the package was a Japanese Kaiseki meal, which was excellent. Each dish was served with a strong sense of ceremony, and although the portions were small, the presentation, plating, and taste were all superb. There weren't many guests in the evening; only 2-3 tables were occupied in the large restaurant, making for a quiet and enjoyable meal. But I wondered, if the hotel was full, where did all the other guests eat? 😂 Breakfast was a Western-style buffet with a good selection, including some Japanese dishes. The taste was average, but it was perfectly fine for a filling meal. The hotel's top floor features a public onsen bathhouse and private onsen rooms. I visited both in the morning and evening. There weren't many guests. The onsen had both indoor and outdoor pools, which were very pleasant for soaking in the early autumn weather, as it wasn't too cold outside. From both the onsen and the adjacent relaxation area, you could see the beautiful Shirarahama Beach in the distance. I went up early the next morning to watch the sunrise. The sunrise itself was good, but the morning glow was absolutely stunning. Under the dazzling fiery clouds, the sea was tinged red, gently lapping against the pure white sand. It's only a 3-4 minute walk from the Marriott to the beach. The beach is beautiful, not very long, with a perfect bay shape, and the sand is incredibly white and fine. It's so clean that it almost feels unreal. A stroll along the beach is nice; Engetsu Island isn't far and is worth seeing. Along the coast, there are several free public foot onsen, and the historic Sakinoyu Outdoor Onsen is just a short walk further.

Location: About a 15-minute taxi ride from Shirahama Station, and there's also a bus that stops right at the entrance. The overall design is quite modern, and the ocean view far exceeded my expectations. The Pacific Ocean views from both the common areas and the rooms are very chill and expansive. Facilities: The room size is significantly larger than hotels of similar price in big cities, making for a very comfortable stay. Dining: A convenience store is just a 5-minute walk away. Right next door is a popular ramen shop; although it's mostly frequented by Chinese tourists, the taste is genuinely good and perfect for dinner. In the morning, I bought bread and coffee from the lobby and took it to the terrace to enjoy while soaking my feet and gazing at the sea – utterly delightful. This is a fantastic ocean-view hotel for a vacation, and I would definitely come back given the chance!

The private hotel with the endless ocean view is really amazing. But if you don't drive by yourself, it is very difficult to check in. You also have to carry your luggage up three flights of stairs, which is difficult to complete without a little physical strength. Although it is easy to enter the battle, there is really nothing around, and it feels more like Philadelphia after dark. Having said that, in addition to having a special feeling, this is also a very good hotel. 

A very good experience. The house is very clean and can accommodate 6 people. But the house agent can explain clearly where to get the house key, but the email instructions are unclear. Otherwise very good.

Mecure, time to lift your game! It’s summer in Japan and the swimming pool is empty & closed.?? Surrounding landscaped areas not well maintained. Rooms & corridors delight you with a musty aged smell that takes time getting used to. Positives: View of surrounding coastline excellent, sunrise beautiful. Room’s good size. Buffet Breakfast decent with options Afternoon & Evening free snacks & drinks a bonus. Negs: Customer service adequate but can’t say a lot of enthusiasm. Room & corridor’s musty The place needs renovation Need car for access hotel. No pool operating in summer???

The view is stunning, but taking the bus to Oura Station means you have to drag your suitcases up a bit, or catch the 6:00 PM shuttle bus from Shirahama Station. It's worth checking the shuttle bus schedule beforehand; the last one seems to be around 5:00 PM. The bathroom facilities are a bit dated, but the other services are good. With fewer Chinese tourists, it's mostly Japanese families with children. The indoor pool is a bit small, mostly occupied by the children. The breakfast was okay and filling, a typical hotel buffet, but they do offer mentaiko and tuna. On the way back, the hotel booked a taxi to the airport, which took 10 minutes. It's a bit far from Shirarahama, Senjojiki, and Sandanbeki, so it's best to get a timetable and have change ready if you're taking the bus.

Summary: 1. Airport transfer to Shirahama needs to be booked in advance via email. 2. The hotel is excellent and newly renovated. The hot springs are fantastic. 3. Transportation is inconvenient, but there's a shuttle service to Shirarahama Beach. 4. It's about a 15-20 minute walk downhill to a convenience store. The distance isn't actually that far.

I had a wonderful stay here and highly recommend it to anyone visiting Shirahama for a relaxing getaway. First off, the location is fantastic. The bus stop is right in front of the hotel, and after taking bus #12 from Shirahama JR Station, you get off directly at the hotel. The hotel staff are very welcoming and were at the entrance to help with luggage – super friendly! Across the street from the hotel is Shirarahama Beach, which is stunning whether it's cloudy or sunny. The white sand paired with the blue ocean is a real treat for the eyes. Shirahama is very quiet at night, and shops close early, but within a five-minute walk, there's a FamilyMart, Lawson, and a 24-hour supermarket. So, if you need snacks or drinks, these are great options. The hotel also has a microwave on the first floor for heating food. You can even buy fireworks at the supermarket to enjoy on the beach. Room: The room was very spacious with plenty of space and directly faced the beach. During my two-day stay, I spent time just relaxing in the room, watching the sunset, observing people on the beach, or heading downstairs to cross the road and lie on the beach or play in the water. It was incredibly relaxing for both my mind and body. The room had both a bathtub and a shower. The bathtub was right next to the balcony, so you could soak while enjoying the view. The hotel also has indoor hot springs, but unfortunately, I couldn't use them. Service: Most of the staff were middle-aged men and women, very kind and gentle. There was also a Chinese-speaking girl with a particularly soft voice who always greeted me with a smile. The service was excellent. Although breakfast was the same every day, it tasted quite good. Overall, I was very satisfied with my stay and would definitely choose Sanrakuso again if I come back to Shirahama.