Johnnn1982
Google
After four weeks of traveling through Japan, there is no longer any doubt about the quality of hotels in this beautiful country. They are outstanding in all aspects – from hospitality to hygiene to the quality of the meals. Unfortunately, MyLodge Naoshima proves that there are exceptions.||After a three-week journey from Tokyo to Kyoto, we decided to take a break on the art island of Naoshima following a 70 km bike ride across the islands between Onomichi and Imabari. We booked two nights at MyLodge Naoshima, which, according to the website, is "a relaxing, cosy lodge" with "a calming atmosphere and a place where you can feel at home." Nothing could be further from the truth.||While the hotel is nicely located and the hygiene is fine, there was no sign of hospitality, coziness, or a "calm atmosphere" as promised on the website.|From the moment we checked in, the staff primarily communicated the rules the guest must follow, without any indication of how the hotel intended to make our stay enjoyable.||The room is basic and outdated but acceptable as a stopover. The couch in the bedroom was stained (which, up until then, had not been typical in Japan), and the balcony featured a simple wooden garden set. The screen door of the balcony could only be opened once and then came completely out of the frame. After reporting this to the reception, the message was merely acknowledged, with the response: "Yeah, that happens." Our room was next to the hallway where the entrance door and the area for changing shoes into mandatory hotel slippers are located. Every entry was noticeable – not only because of the slamming door and rolling trolleys, but also because every conversation could be heard as clearly as if it were happening in your own room.|Crying children in the room next door, chatting guests above us, and the constant, unavoidable foot traffic throughout the hotel made relaxation impossible. Important to know when booking: guests are asked not to talk on their balcony or in their room after 9:00 PM. Additionally, there are no shared spaces available to guests beyond their own rooms.||An hour after checking in, we expressed our dissatisfaction at the front desk and requested to cancel the second night, as the above clearly did not live up to the promised "calm, cosy and relaxing stay." The hotel staff said cancellation was not possible but offered us a room on the top floor. We agreed to try it, though skeptically. Unfortunately, the noise issue is not guest-related but a structural problem – likely due to poor insulation or construction.||The hotel offers pizza, which must be ordered at the reception desk, then picked up later at a time determined by the hotel, and eaten on the balcony of your room. Although there is a dining room next to the reception, you are not allowed to eat your pizza there. The pizza itself was tasty but small. The accompanying salad was of poor quality.||After a sleepless night, we went to breakfast, which is served during a rather narrow window (7:45–9:00 AM), which seemed odd given the hotel’s "relaxing" image. The breakfast was poor: one dry, toasted white bread slice of bad quality, a small wedge of omelet, a piece of sausage, and a mini sausage. This was served with a small bowl of dry lettuce and two wedges of tomato.|We were not greeted or assisted by any staff. I ended up getting coffee and tea myself from the bar, assuming that was the intended approach.||It was clear: staying longer at MyLodge Naoshima would only lead to more frustration, possibly casting a shadow over an otherwise beautiful trip. We again voiced our complaints at reception, which did not result in any form of compensation. While the staff was eventually understanding and confirmed the issues we raised, their attempt to contact the manager was unsuccessful. We decided to end our stay early and continue our holiday elsewhere. We asked to speak directly with the manager about the above, but they refused, despite repeated requests.||MyLodge Naoshima cost us a night of sleep – and over 400 euros.
