Nenrinbo

Disappointing stay due to unwelcoming guest policies We were very disappointed with our stay at this hotel. We specifically chose it, even though it is an hour away from Kyoto, in order to enjoy the onsen, the open-air pool surrounded by forest, beautiful views, and the feeling of experiencing the “real” Japan in nature. Unfortunately, we could only stay for one night, as we had to travel to Tokyo the following evening, but we encountered several surprising and rather unwelcoming policies. We arrived at the hotel at 10 PM. When we asked about booking breakfast for the next morning (it was not included in our rate), we were told it was no longer possible. The onsen has very limited hours — from 4 PM to 11 PM, and then only from 6 AM to 8 AM. By the time we checked in, we had less than an hour to use the facilities. The next morning, after a long journey the day before, it was difficult to wake up in time to enjoy the onsen before 8 AM. The outdoor pool opens only at 10 AM, which means there is no opportunity to enjoy a peaceful morning swim before the sun gets too strong. When it did open, it was immediately crowded, making swimming impossible. This schedule also means you cannot combine an early-morning onsen with a pool visit without waiting two hours in between. After spending the day outside the hotel, we returned around 4 PM before heading to Tokyo and thought it would be nice to relax in the onsen before the trip. However, three different reception staff members told us that, since we had already checked out, we could not use the facilities without paying an additional fee. I have traveled to more than 45 countries and stayed in hotels of various levels, and I have never experienced this before — in most places, guests are welcome to use the pool, sauna, or spa on the day of check-out, especially in hotels of this price range. Yes, I understand it was our choice to arrive late, but the combination of restricted onsen and pool hours, along with the lack of post check-out access, made the stay feel unnecessarily restrictive. It’s a shame, because the hotel itself is beautiful, with spacious rooms, great views, and a stunning natural setting — but the hospitality and guest-friendly policies simply did not match the setting.