Otsu Hotel Guide - Isomeshi's Garden hotels in Otsu, Japan.

"Welcoming staff, nice accommodations, clean room, great views, wonderful buffet, and an overall memorable experience. Thank you."

"Exceptionally nice staff. Beautiful onsen and most of the time had the whole onsen to myself, and it’s limited to 4 people at a time at max. The breakfast was amazing. Really nice garden view from our room which is shared with other rooms but felt private. There are also lots of shops and temples to explore in Ohara that are much less crowded than Kyoto. "

"It's a peaceful hotel surrounded by gorgeous mountains. It provides a traditional Japanese experience. I'd recommend it to anyone visiting Japan. It has an onsen, so no private bathroom (toilets are also public). You sleep on a futon that you set up yourself. The staff provides dinner and breakfast and they play an instrumental Studio Ghibli soundtrack in the background while you dine to add to the peaceful atmosphere (everyone gets the same meal, you don't order it). There's wifi. The little table in your room is heated. There's a provided yukata that you can use during your stay. The staff is very friendly. They even give you a ride to the bus station in the morning if you want it. Otherwise, it's a 13 minute walk. But the walk in beautiful, because the town is beautiful."

"Beautiful views and location but an older hotel that shows some signs of wear. The bed was very comfortable even being a 6'3 American and the extra space and seating felt more like a hotel at home rather than the tiny hotel rooms in Tokyo. You cannot beat the view, you tower above any other hotel and the windows are gigantic and clean. The views of the city are available in the restaurant lobbies on the top floors and are more limited but still stunning. The only issue was the room being dated. The plumbing for the toilet dripped a little when flushed and the hot water tap on the sink let out a loud whistle when turned on. The walls had small scuffs from furniture being moved but overall it is an exceptional hotel on a beautiful lake."

"Great hotel, I will be staying here again when I have a chance to come to this area."

"The shuttle will pick u up from a station! Really great all around stay! Food is little for dinner but still good. Public baths are less busy in the early afternoon from my experience. "

"We enjoyed our stay here. It is a bit out of the way but great if you want a quieter location away from the busy city. The hotel garden was a real delight as was the private sauna. It was beautiful to walk along the river and see the trees on the mountain. We loved the Japanese breakfast, the samue clothes and sandals they supply. We ate dinner there one night and it was fine but not outstanding and the price was high for the small portions. It’s worth noting that there are very few affordable eating options walking distance from the hotel. There is a 7/11 with quick eats. And the best way to get there from the city is by taxi. We didn’t like that there were no hooks to hang towels on. And it was strange to not have hand soap in the toilet room to wash your hands properly. The hotel staff were so gracious and responsive. And we loved the daily inari treat, and being able to sit at the bar downstairs for complimentary drinks. A very luxurious hotel. Thank you!"

"Our whole family loved the stay. Breakfast and kaiseki dinner were great! Onsen in our room was just amazing, I enjoyed every moment of it. Hotel staff was very helpful and rooms were clean and comfortable. Hotel itself is a bit off the beaten path and after stampede of tourists in Kyoto offers a calm refuge. If you can rent a car or afford taxi, you can visit all kinds of amazing places without any crowds."

"Fantastic place to stay for my first time in Japan after being in Tokyo. This place receives forwarded luggage, staff are very helpful/kind, the property is easy to navigate, and the shuttle system was great. The shuttle was very helpful getting back and forth from the station. Also, they have a cell phone at the station to call for the shuttle so no need to worry if you don’t have a Japanese phone number. Would stay again and recommend it to foreigners wanting to have a Ryokan experience. Get the half board option because the food was amazing!"