Name: Kinugawa Kokusai Hotel
Address: 540 Kinugawaonsentaki, Nikko, Nikko, Nikko, 321-2526, Japan
Rating: 7

Air conditioning

Elevator/lift

Smoke-free property

Heating

Gift shop

Garden

Terrace

All Spaces Non-Smoking (public and private)

Reception desk

General

Luggage storage

Services and amenities

Vending machine

Meals

Free Wi-Fi

Internet

Library

Recreation

Free parking

Parking

Beauty and wellness

Pets allowed

Pets

Location

At the hotel

Kinugawa Kokusai Hotel

Quite rare to find a full service ryokan that is pet friendly.  Our dog loved his time there, the service and food was great.  It is a slightly dated hotel, but very clean and comfortable.  Free wifi worked well.  You can walk to the public foot baths but not much else in the immediate area so probably best if you had a car.

We booked the twin western room (western bed, not tatami).  Upon arrival in our rental car, we noted the exterior of the building was quite old and run down.  But the interior was refurbished.  We were greeted at the driveway by warm and friendly hotel staff who unloaded our luggages and wheeled them in while our rental car was valet parked.  We then sis the check-in procedure.

The staff spoke English well and we were taken up to our room, which was quite roomy.  I stayed in the hotel next door the night after so I have a good comparison in terms of room size (see my review of Asaya Hotel).  The room was divided into two parts.  The front den with toilet and the tatami area with the bed.  The room was quite new and clean.  

We then proceeded down to the onsen area.  While I was packing my towels to go down to the onsen, I discovered the thoughtfulness of this hotel.  I have stayed in many many onsen hotels all over Japan and this was the first time I seen it done this way.  Firstly, we were provided with a knitted bag with our room number sewed on so we don't have to worry about forgetting our room number.  Secondly​, we were provided with a peg with our room number so we can peg our slippers when we take it off at the onsen area.  This prevent others from mistakingly wearing our slippers.  Very thoughtful indeed and I wish other hotels would follow suit.  I also like the toothbrush they provided which had a very ergonomic grip.  Better than the expensive ones I buy at home and ten fold better than the stone age ones usually provided in onsen hotels.

Unfortunately the onsen was not up to par.  There are two onsens and I went to them both.  The one in B1 floor was below average.  The showering area was slimy and there were only a few tiled baths.  Nothing exciting.  The one on 1/F was better as the baths were built with untreated wood (the wooden smell is exhilarating) and facing a glass solartorium with lots of natural light.  The amenities in the 1/F was also more extensive.  Nonetheless, the lockers smell like cheese.  The hotel could use more cleaning.

The food is also below average for Japanese standard.  There is buffet dinner and breakfast with lots of variety but some of the food is cold and the "fusion" ideas they come up with, for example, fried egg on pork, was not tasty at all.  I rather they so traditional Japanese cooking method.  In comparison, food in Asaya was significantly better.

The bed and pillow were ok in terms of comfort.  We had a restful night of sleep. 

When we checked out, we were given a ride to the parking lot a couple minutes away from the hotel.

Overall, the food and onsen leaves much room to improve, but the thoughtfulness and warmth of the staff, plus the room condition deserves praises.


Nikko

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sauna

duplex

safe

mini-bar

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pets-allowed

wi-fi

park access

Great place to take your dogs

Food and onsen average.  Room good.

Breakfast included

Free Internet

Transfer

Suitable for children

Swimming Pool

Fitness centre

Bar or restaurant

For guests with disabilities

Conference hall

Spa Services

Ski slope nearby

Beach nearby

Air-conditioning

Jacuzzi

Private Bathroom

Kitchen

Balcony

View from the window

Smoking allowed

Electric car charging

Kinugawa Kokusai Hotel

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General

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Beauty and wellness

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For corporate clients