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Summary of reviewsYamatoya Honten impresses guests with its excellent location in the historic hot spring town of Dogo Onsen, providing easy access to the famous bathhouse and a vibrant shopping street. The hotel's prime position near public transportation makes it convenient for exploring Matsuyama. Visitors frequently praise the hotel’s cleanliness, tranquil atmosphere and overall comfort, often expressing a desire to return.
The breakfast offerings at Yamatoya Honten are highly commended, featuring a broad and diverse buffet catering to both Japanese and Western tastes. Highlights include local specialties, such as orange juice varieties and ikura with many guests indulging more than expected in the delicious spread. Dinner experiences also receive significant praise, especially for the use of local specialty ingredients and the luxurious taste of dishes like hot pot, sashimi and kaiseki courses, enhancing a memorable stay.
Rooms at the hotel provide an authentically traditional Japanese experience with spacious tatami-style accommodations. Guests appreciate the clean, comfortable environment with many noting the delightful views and efficient layouts. Minor drawbacks such as dim lighting or tatami smells are occasionally mentioned but do not overshadow the positive reception.
The staff at Yamatoya Honten are frequently highlighted for their exceptional hospitality, politeness and attentiveness. Despite some language barriers, their warm demeanor and efficient service contribute significantly to guest satisfaction. The hotel also offers valet parking for convenience, although there is a fee and some guests have noted challenges with the narrow parking spaces.
Beds receive mixed impressions with many guests enjoying the comfort and traditional Japanese experience, while a few found the futons hard and uncomfortable. Nonetheless, the hotel's overall efforts in maintaining cleanliness and providing a genuine cultural experience are well-received.
In summary, Yamatoya Honten offers a unique blend of traditional Japanese ryokan charm with the conveniences of a modern hotel. Its excellent location, top-notch hospitality, delightful dining experiences and clean, comfortable rooms contribute to a consistently high-quality stay that leaves many guests eager to return. Show more
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Luxury Ryokan
A ryokan with a 140-year history, Yamatoya Honten features a hot spring sourced from Dogo Onsen, a traditional Noh play stage, and offers both Japanese and Western-style rooms. It is frequently ranked among the best hotels in Japan.
Ryokan with Free Wi-Fi
This ryokan offers free Wi-Fi. It provides a traditional Japanese experience in Dogo Onsen.
Ryokan with Parking
Features a free parking lot with a capacity for 70 cars. This offers guests a convenient and economical parking option with a good number of available spaces.
4-Star Ryokan
Located near Dogo Onsen, this hotel offers guests access to hot spring baths, including open-air options. It features a restaurant, 24-hour front desk, and provides free WiFi. Its rooms are spacious and offer views.
Ryokan for Honeymoon
Romantic Ryokan
Room Types
Japanese-Style Room - Non-SmokingThe spacious quadruple room provides air conditioning, tatami, as well as a private bathroom featuring a bath and a bidet. The quadruple room offers a wardrobe, a safe deposit box, an electric kettle, yukata and a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. The unit offers 5 futons.
Twin Room - Non-SmokingThe spacious twin room offers air conditioning, a wardrobe, as well as a private bathroom featuring a bath and a bidet. The twin room features an electric kettle, a carpeted floor, yukata, heating, as well as a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. The unit offers 2 beds.
Single Room - Non-SmokingOffering free toiletries, this single room includes a private bathroom with a bath, a bidet and a hairdryer. This single room is air-conditioned and features a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a wardrobe, an electric kettle and a carpeted floor. The unit offers 1 bed.
Japanese-Style Junior Suite - Non-SmokingThe spacious suite has 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom with a bath and free toiletries. The suite offers air conditioning, tatami, a wardrobe, a safe deposit box, as well as a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. The unit has 7 futons.
Japanese-Style SuiteThe spacious suite has 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom with a bath and free toiletries. The suite features air conditioning, tatami, a wardrobe, a safe deposit box and a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. The unit has 8 futons.
Guest Reviews
8.8
Excellent
Location
Yamatoya Honten boasts an excellent location, making it a convenient choice for travelers visiting the historic hot spring town of Dogo Onsen. Guests consistently highlight its proximity to the main attraction, Dogo Onsen, emphasizing that the famous bathhouse is just a short walk away. The hotel is also close to a vibrant shopping street filled with dining and souvenir options, adding to its appeal for shoppers and food lovers alike.
In addition to its prime positioning near Dogo Onsen, Yamatoya Honten is well-connected to public transportation. The nearby tram and bus stations provide easy access to the rest of Matsuyama and its sightseeing spots. The quiet yet central location offers a perfect blend of peacefulness and accessibility, making it ideal for leisurely strolls.
Guests appreciate the convenience of being near various amenities, including public baths, restaurants and convenience stores. The excellent location is frequently mentioned alongside positive comments on the hotel's overall atmosphere, cleanliness and comfort. This combination of a prime spot and quality facilities ensures a satisfying stay with many patrons expressing a desire to return on their next visit to Dogo Onsen.
Breakfast
Guests at Yamatoya Honten rave mostly about the breakfast offerings, highlighting a broad and diverse selection that caters to both Japanese and Western preferences. The breakfast buffet is particularly popular with many reviews noting its extensive range of dishes, including local specialties from Ehime such as orange juice varieties and ikura. Some standout items include champagne, sashimi and the ability to create personalized seafood rice bowls.
While the Japanese breakfast buffet receives high praise for its richness and variety, a few guests mention areas for improvement, including the quality of the coffee and some specific items like tofu and cakes. There are also comments about the breakfast being slightly underwhelming for the price. Despite this, the overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive with many guests feeling satisfied and often indulging in the delicious offerings more than they expected.
In summary, Yamatoya Honten's breakfast is a highlight for most visitors, offering a sumptuous and rich start to the day with a variety of delectable options that leave a lasting impression.
Dinner
The dinner experience at Yamatoya Honten receives significant praise from its guests, particularly when booked in advance at one of the smaller, on-site restaurants. Many guests were delighted by the luxurious and delicious dishes, often highlighting the use of local specialty ingredients. The hot pot, sashimi and kaiseki courses are frequently mentioned for their exceptional taste.
A private dining experience added to the meal's enjoyment with families appreciating the spacious and comfortable setting. Additionally, the observance and kindness of the male staff during dinner made a positive impact.
Although some guests felt the dinner did not have standout items or was more ordinary than expected, these sentiments were in the minority. A few guests were unable to reserve dinner due to full bookings, expressing disappointment at missing out despite the abundance of local dining options available in the surrounding neighborhood.
Overall, the meals at Yamatoya Honten, including breakfast, are described as tasty, satisfying and exceeding expectations for many. The hotel’s attention to detail and hospitality contribute to a memorable dining experience.
Rooms
Yamatoya Honten offers an authentically traditional Japanese experience with its spacious and beautifully designed tatami-style rooms. Many guests appreciated the clean and tidy environment with a particular emphasis on the comfort provided by the tatami flooring and futons. The size of the rooms is frequently noted as generous, even in single-person accommodations, allowing for a comfortable stay without feeling cramped.
Views from the rooms are often highlighted with several mentioning the delightful sights of Dogo Onsen Honkan and the stage area. Comfort is further enhanced by efficient layouts, massage chairs and the ability to make the room completely dark for restful sleep. The calming atmosphere and historic charm add to the overall pleasant ambiance of the accommodations.
While the cleanliness of the rooms and hot springs are consistently commended, some reviews point out occasional minor issues like dim lighting, small windows or strong tatami smells. Despite these minor drawbacks, the overall guest sentiment is very positive, particularly praising the thorough cleaning and the lovely traditional decor.
Yamatoya Honten also receives accolades for its warm and supportive staff, contributing to a welcoming and relaxing stay. The presence of communal baths, both large and beautiful, enhances the traditional Japanese inn experience. Many guests leave feeling that their stay was exceptional, often noting it as top-class among their travel accommodations.
Beds
The beds at Yamatoya Honten garnered mixed impressions from guests. The general consensus leans toward positive remarks, highlighting the cleanliness and comfort of the beds. There are numerous compliments on the feather-like duvets and the comfortable tatami beds, which contribute to an authentic Japanese lodging experience. Additionally, guests appreciated the comfortable closet and zori provided in the room.
However, it's noteworthy that some guests found the Japanese-style beds and futons to be a bit hard with a few mentioning discomfort or back pain after sleeping. Certain reviews pointed out the thinness of the futon and tatami, likening it to more budget accommodations. Despite these critiques, many guests still enjoyed the spaciousness and relaxation offered by the room's layout and bath facilities.
Overall, while the traditional bedding may not cater to everyone's comfort preferences, the hotel's efforts in maintaining cleanliness and providing a genuine cultural experience were well-received.
Cleanliness
Yamatoya Honten stands out for its impeccable cleanliness, consistently praised across various visitor reviews. Guests frequently noted that both the hotel and its public spaces were not only clean but also beautifully maintained. The rooms are repeatedly described as clean, tidy and spacious, contributing to a comfortable stay. The baths and hot springs are highlighted for their cleanliness with the changing rooms meeting the same high standards.
The hotel's overall atmosphere is one of cleanliness and meticulous care, from the exterior appearance to the interior design. Guests mention the tidy environment, adding that the facility is well-kept and exudes a sense of tranquility and beauty. Notably, the service from the staff complements the cleanliness with many reviewers appreciating the polite and helpful manner of the employees.
The combination of a clean and charming atmosphere, excellent hot springs and exceptional service creates a warm and inviting environment. Whether it's the guest rooms, public areas, or the hot springs, visitors can expect a consistently high level of cleanliness throughout Yamatoya Honten, making it a standout choice for a peaceful and refreshing stay.
Staff
Yamatoya Honten has garnered high praise for its exceptional staff and their commendable hospitality. Guests consistently highlight the politeness, friendliness and attentiveness of the staff, noting their effective responses and sincere efforts to make every stay comfortable. The hotel’s front desk is calm and welcoming, adorned with harmonious ceramics and paintings, setting the tone for a pleasant experience.
Despite some language barriers with staff speaking very little English, their warm demeanor and efficient service compensate for it, ensuring guests feel well-supported throughout their stay. The staff’s professionalism shines through, from providing umbrellas during rainy days to meticulously following COVID-19 measures for guest safety.
The hotel itself boasts great facilities, including a delightful onsen, spacious rooms and well-maintained amenities, paired with excellent customer service that leaves guests feeling very satisfied. The on-site dining experience also receives positive remarks for its delicious food and accommodating staff.
In summary, Yamatoya Honten excels in delivering top-tier hospitality with a team that goes above and beyond to ensure guests have a wonderful and comfortable stay.
Parking
Visitors to Yamatoya Honten will find parking available on the premises, ensuring convenience for those traveling by car. The hotel offers valet parking with staff ready to assist upon arrival, confirming reservations and helping with luggage during check-in. Parking is efficient with some guests noting the service is well-organized and accommodating, even for newer car models. However, it should be noted that parking isn't free with a fee of 800 yen per day. Some reviews mentioned the narrow entrance and parking spaces, which could be challenging for larger vehicles. While the overall parking experience is positive, guests should be aware of the additional fees, as there might not always be upfront information provided about the parking charges.
4 Star
Situated in a great location with lots of old-time atmosphere, Yamatoya Honten offers a unique blend of a traditional Japanese ryokan experience with a large hotel feel. Guests frequently highlight its beautiful and clean public spaces, though some note the decor feels a bit dated. The breakfast buffet presents a nice selection, adding to the overall positive dining experience, despite the dining area featuring small tables and vinyl tablecloths.
Cleanliness and tidiness are consistent points of praise. The hotel's traditional Japanese design is well-appreciated, though some guests mention an updated approach to its services and rooms would enhance their stay further. Hospitality and customer service are top-notch, contributing to the high-quality, four-star experience many have enjoyed. For some, the hotel has been a highlight of their trip and it consistently draws guests back for future visits.
No, Yamatoya Honten doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Yamatoya Honten.
No, Yamatoya Honten doesn't allow dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at Yamatoya Honten.