Atami Sekitei

Atami Sekitei is a beautiful, upscale, and traditional reverie, providing a lovely escape for our large family, away from the busyness of Tokyo. Transport/location - the hotel is a short cab ride (about a mile) from the Atami station, and the hotel is tucked away from the busy main street, but a grocery store is only one block away for any last minute needs. Property - we booked the villa A and had a private onsen, with living room, family room, sitting room, and bathroom. Everything was spacious, clean, well kept, and beautifully arranged, with hardwood and tatami flooring throughout. I was concerned because an earlier reviewer complained of a cockroach in the same villa, but there were no cleanliness issues at all. There is a beautiful zen garden with stone steps throughout the property, and in front of the villa, so you are surrounded by a natural, zen garden environment. (Food is also served in the dining room, so I don’t see how there would be any roaches in the room.) The bridge leading to the formal dining room boasts a gorgeous view of the city and coastal waters as Atami Sekitei is located on a hilltop. Onsen - Not all rooms have a private onsen but you can reserve a private onsen for 45 minutes upon arrival; there are also same-sex onsens for use. We didn’t bother exploring the other onsen because our private onsen was generously sized. The temperature was toasty and perfect for relaxing at all times. Food - the dinner and breakfast, served in a private dining room in a formal dining hall was exquisite. The children’s meals were ample and beautifully prepared, and the adult meals were an endless array of delicious, traditional courses. Every course was so detailed, wonderfully prepared and delicious. The general manager/owner personally served us all of our courses and she was so gracious, even when one of our children broke a dish! Don’t forget to take a photo in the dining hall, and take a look at the beautiful ceiling. Service- the service was top notch, even though we don’t speak Japanese. The host/manager spoke English and made sure every need was met, and was attentive to any dietary needs. The staff called our departure cab and cordially sent us off. Amenities-Yukata for all guests are provided, including child appropriate yukata and amenities, along with all the amenities needed for your stay. Recommendation - if I could, I would return here in a heartbeat for a relaxing, authentic experience. I’ve stayed at many high quality properties globally, but this one is the most memorable.