Awaji Hamarikyu

With thanks to my Japanese brother-in-law and his wife, we enjoyed two nights in the exclusive section of this luxury hotel on Awaji Island. The suite had comfortable twin beds in a bedroom, a lounge room, a bathroom with a shower, an outside hot spring bathtub off the bathroom, on the room's balcony. There was a separate toilet near the front door and adjacent to the bedroom. A really good layout for guests. We ate our elaborate 'course' meals for dinner and breakfast in the restaurant, they were amazing and delicious. We went for walks along the adjacent beach and to the nearby township to buy snacks, for something to do. Staff only spoke Japanese, so it is unlikely for a westerner like me to visit, so it was a real honour for me to stay here. I was unable to build a rapport with staff, like I usually do, but nevertheless I smiled and thanked them whenever I could. The room that we had was a close to a western room as possible and only required removal of one's shoes to enter. I think that my favourite part of my stay here, was eating the food in the restaurant and having a long uninterrupted soak in our room's hot spring bath, being able to breath the cold, fresh air outside and not be seen by anyone. If a stay at this wonderful hotel is possible, just will need to speak Japanese or have someone who does accompany you, With that in mind, a few day's stay here is highly recommended.