Shimoda Tokyu Hotel

What People are saying

Don't Skip Breakfast!

SeattleSue79on 14/06/2017 00:02

Based on previous reviewer's advice, we booked a room facing the ocean, and it was fantastic: quiet air conditioning, sparkling clean, fluffy linens and towels, large bathroom (by Japanese standards), in-room fridge and safe, many other thoughtful touches. The renovation was successful, since everything felt brand-new!

Naturally, the staff was warm and welcoming and the view was indescribably beautiful. There is a large swimming pool and a "baby pool" overlooking the little cove--due to open for the season, so the staff was busily making it beautiful, I'm sorry we missed it.
We traveled down by train from Tokyo and took a cab from the station to the hotel, but later found out that the hotel runs a shuttle bus about twice an hour, so you don't need a car at all.

Loved the location. There is a small beach just down the hill, and some restaurants nearby if you don't want to dine in the (fairly upscale) hotel restaurant. But it's an easy 15-20 minute walk over to Perry Road, where there are cafes and restaurants aplenty, plus the start of the promenade around Shimoda Park is about 2 blocks away. And the Murakami Gassho-Zukuri House is literally at the foot of the driveway to the hotel, please do not miss this awesome experience!

Two final tips: we booked the room + breakfast package, so each morning we were treated to a delicious buffet-style breakfast which included just about anything you would want to eat, freshly prepared, whether you prefer Western-style breakfast or Japanese-style, presented in a dining room with huge windows looking out on the spectacular scenery.
And, we booked a kayak tour for which the operator, The Surface Kayak Guide Service, picked up and dropped off right at the hotel. Paddling is a great way to see the fascinating coastline of the Izu Peninsula. Convenient and unforgettable!

What a view!

Leah Son 02/06/2017 03:10

Although not centrally located in town, it is situated in my opinion in what is the most beautiful setting in Shimoda, if we had not stayed at this hotel we would most probably not even have gotten to see this part of town. The hotel has a shuttle to the station which you can take to go to town or is a short cab ride away. The gardens and pool area are beautiful. The room itself is nice and very clean but it is really all about the view so make sure you actually get an ocean view, totally worth the upgrade, I could not get enough of it! The breakfast is also amazing, so much choice from Japanese to western style. Staff are very courteous but speak very limited English, as is the case in most of Japan.

Finally Renovated!

elber2on 24/04/2017 04:05

This Shimoda Tokyu hotel just re-opened after a long-overdue renovation.
The rooms have been tastefully refurbished, and restaurants and public areas have received significant upgrades. Just as importantly, the landscaping was fixed up.

Now this 1960's era hotel with its spectacular location can be fully recommended.

It sits elevated on top of its own cove, just a few kilometers from Shimoda station. There is a beautiful small beach just beneath it, and Shimoda park is just a few hundred meters away. Perry road in Shimoda is a half hour walk away.

Sea facing rooms have spectacular views, yet are on the small side. The rooms to the side with partial sea view have balconies and are bigger. Given that this hotel is 50 years old, bathrooms in all of the rooms are small. Breakfast is served in a large room overlooking the ocean, and food is ample and delicious.

Staff and service are excellent throughout the hotel.

What could the Shimoda Tokyu hotel improve? The landscaping looks better than before, but the grass is still on the brown side, and certain parts of the graden look rough. The exterior lighting in the evening, when driving up to the hotel and in the gardens is cold and unwelcoming - a real missed opportunity. Internet is connection is slow and patchy. Food options during the day would be a plus - how about offering picnic baskets for the beach or for long walks?

But altogether this hotel is very good and can be recommended.

Great view and price and located in a quite corner of Town

rickyh759on 29/07/2016 19:41

While accessible only with car, the hotel is located on a quiet hill with its almost quiet cove below. Though the rooms are a bit dated, we had the family corner rooms which have a balcony and offers incredible rooms.

Did not have their meal plans so cannot comment.
Otherwise service is overall great and staffs are helpful

Ricky

Old Property In Desperate Need of Renovation

M2132DBerikalon 21/07/2016 07:17

This property speaks to my old soul as my car wound its way up the drive way I fell in love with the charm of the 1950's Hollywood appeal of the location and atmosphere.

Then as I was completing the check in process the friendly nature of the staff as they greeted me, the bellman as he took my bags said cheerfully "let me show you to your room" however, another person motioned for me to move my car from the carport almost simultaneously asking if this was my first time at their establishment. I was answering yes and scurrying to move my car at the same time; it was quite an awkward exchange. I parked my car in their free lot and gave a little bit of thought as to how I was supposed to be able to follow the bellman and move my car from the carport at the same time but then I realized perhaps they made an assumption that another person was outside that could move the car, either way; I chalked it up to perhaps the left didn't know what the right was doing and I wasn't going to let it damper my vacation.

The lobby area was decorated as I expected in the same vintage feel as the winding driveway, as were the rooms. My daughters and I were on yet another summer girls trip, to explore what the Izu Shimoda had to offer. My travel agent suggested this hotel for the knowledge that the staff has on places to go and things to do and I am grateful for that; as when I asked about taking a snorkel excursion the hotel information desk staff suggested "Suzaki Diving Center" and booked me and my daughter's a reservation for the next morning and we had a wonderful experience.

Additionally, when I inquired at the hotel information desk about a beach close by to enjoy my breakfast I was handed a map and directed beyond the pool to walk three minutes to Nabetahama Beach. I grabbed my beach gear and my breakfast and headed past the pool and walked down the eighty plus stairs (I lost count) to the street and the reason I lost count was because I was in shock by the most beautiful sight before my eyes once I hit the bottom of the stairs. It is so hard to describe, looks like something that should be in a painting, sure enough I turned right and walked and three minutes down the road there is Nabetahama Beach. Now, Izu Shimoda is full of Beaches and on this trip we visited Sotoura Beach (my daughter's favorite) and Shirahama Ohama Beach (none of our favorite) but this one is quiet and nestled in a corner and is three minutes from the hotel and is my absolute favorite!

More directions from the hotel information desk that didn't fail me not one little bit was to the GEOPARK. My travel agent had this book that quickly became our Izu Shimoda Bible because we never left the hotel without it. My daughter's and I wanted to visit the GEOPARK which is a breathtaking nature park and of course the knowledgeable staff got us there. It's a "must see."

I chose to have a hotel only (no meals included) accommodation because after living in Japan for 4.5 years I already know what local hotel food is like, its chock full of Japanese cuisine that does not appeal to our American pallet. My daughter's and I ate lunch and dinner offsite at Ramen spots and we heard from acquaintances about a local cafe called South Cafe (amazing) and we brought from home our own breakfast items.

I have only one complaint about Shomoda Tokyu Hotel and I took it up with management in both English and Japanese via an interpreter and I just feel that they should be ashamed for continuing service throughout the summer of 2016 at these ridiculous room rates operating under these conditions knowing they are in dire need of renovations with scheduled renovations later on in the year. I prepaid my accommodations via my travel agent for arrival 18 July - 21 July.

Complaint: Shower Grout Filthy with Black Grime
My Solution: Purchased Rubber Gloves, Scrub Sponge, Shower Grout Cleaner & Cleaned by Hand; Called Night Desk Staff to Room for Witness (Before & After)
Hotel Night Manager Response: At first tried to say that maybe because I had the "Do Not Disturb Sign" on the Door that the Cleaning Team Couldn't Clean the Room.
My Response: I informed him that he should rethink that statement because that stuck on black grime on that grout is from weeks, perhaps longer of not having the grout scrubbed clean and since I prepaid for my room to arrive on 18 July the cleaning staff knew that I was coming so it wasn't a surprise so why not clean the bathroom properly before my arrival?

Complaint that I didn't even bother bringing up to management; as I just got frustrated and departed the evening before by scheduled departure: The balcony had fresh spray paint residue to hide the rust and got on my hands and wet suits and towels and other items hung out there to dry.

When I returned home and contacted my travel agent to inquire how this hotel; why this hotel has a four-star rating; the response; location.

I said all that to say...It’s a shame that this hotel couldn't get it All the Way Right!