Hotel Alegria Gardens Amakusa

“A Delightful Haven”

We are a retired couple from UK on our first visit to Japan; this was our second hotel stop after Kumamoto. Alegria Gardens’ staff welcomed us effusively to the large seafront reception. Everyone was so friendly and helpful throughout our stay, making every effort to help us navigate impenetrable J… more

We are a retired couple from UK on our first visit to Japan; this was our second hotel stop after Kumamoto. Alegria Gardens’ staff welcomed us effusively to the large seafront reception. Everyone was so friendly and helpful throughout our stay, making every effort to help us navigate impenetrable Japanese language situations such as choosing between local shōchū, identifying foods and planning our ferry journey from Ushibuka to Nagashima. We felt really welcome and at ease. Our room was terrific, with panoramic windows to the seafront and lovely, comfortable beds. We had chosen a “Western/Japanese Room” which meant we had a discrete space of tatami mats divided from the bed area by traditional screens. As foreigners, it wasn’t especially useful but it really enhanced the ambience of our stay. The hotel’s raison d’être is the Onsen bathing facilities, both a large public complex and a private facility for guests only. I used the private bath twice and found it a delightful, relaxing experience looking out over the bay from the panorama windows. The meal plan of breakfast and dinner was an amazing experience. Breakfast is plentiful and good but it is the dinners that will blow your socks off. Beautifully presented, with artfully printed menu cards, seven or more courses of the very freshest local seafoods, superbly tender beef, tasty miso broth and vegetables, served by the most attentive and pleasant staff. The trick is to pace yourself because the dishes just keep coming. Take it slowly and enjoy the experience! We can’t recommend this hotel highly enough. It isn’t a bland chain property where you remain anonymous. The staff address you by name and really want you to enjoy your stay, which we very certainly did.

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“Grand Hotel - Bubble era”

The hotel's atmosphere will give you a taste of what it might have been during the bubble era of Japan. The decorations, painting, chandelier, furnitures, and the view definitely are things that would have been luxurious. That being said, the hotel has had better days. Not sure if its because of C… more

The hotel's atmosphere will give you a taste of what it might have been during the bubble era of Japan. The decorations, painting, chandelier, furnitures, and the view definitely are things that would have been luxurious. That being said, the hotel has had better days. Not sure if its because of Covid or just saving money but when we arrived at the front to check-in, there was no-one there to greet us or help us with our bags. There was also no welcome drink, but we were presented with a coupon to use during breakfast for a special drink (I think because of the room we booked, 501). If you have difficulties with stairs, DO NOT book rooms 501 or 502 as there are about 5 steps after the elevator to get to the room. The rooms however have the floor to themselves and the view is pretty nice. I believe both rooms have their own private jacuzzi but I think 501 has a bigger patio space. The room was nicely appointed with comfy beds, a CD player with radio antenna, TV, sofa, and arm chair with ottoman. The curtains were electronically opened and closed via the bedside controls. there is also a set of curtains for the bed for more privacy if someone decides to watch TV while the other is trying to sleep. The patio and jacuzzi is connected via sliding door through the living room or bathroom. Dinner was served on the 1st floor. It was pretty but sadly not too tasty. The fish courses were not properly cooked so they came out on the dry side. I think the best dishes were the appetizers and the chocolate cake for dessert. Breakfast was served on B1 floor and it was buffet style with western dishes and Japanese dishes on offer. The stand out for breakfast were the french toast and fresh fruit. Oh, be careful, what looks like hard boiled eggs in shell are actually soft boiled (onsen tamago) but sadly these and the scrambled eggs were cold. There is also a shuttle service that would take you to the public bath up the hill. The bath was also free and they will even give you the 10 yen to operate the locker. If your room does not have the dinner plan, you can go here and have the bento boxes, which seemed very popular. There is also a small gift shop, vending machines, and snacks for purchase here.Since it is a public bath it can be crowed at times but it does have a few bathtubs on offer so give it a try. Overall, I would say its not a bad hotel for a day or two as a get-away from the city. And there is a park/beach in front that you could explore if the weather is warm enough that can be easily accessed from the hotel. BUT again, the hotel is NOT completely barrier free.

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“4 1/2 stars (and you have to like fish)”

You get here by bus from Kumamoto, or you can fly to Shimoshima Island to the Amakusa airport. A spa atmosphere, with families and couples even dining in their blue Japanese robes and short overcoats, in "flip-slops." Five floors to the hotel on a high spot over a calm sea, with ever-changing color… more

You get here by bus from Kumamoto, or you can fly to Shimoshima Island to the Amakusa airport. A spa atmosphere, with families and couples even dining in their blue Japanese robes and short overcoats, in "flip-slops." Five floors to the hotel on a high spot over a calm sea, with ever-changing colors. What is very special is the fixed dinner menu. Multi-course--things originally in shells you may not have eaten before; all delicious. Every meal with little, exquisite starters, a sashimi presentation; a soup/stew; a fish or seafood presentation, a meat presentation (pork or beef), followed by the traditional rice, miso-soup, a small portion of pickled veg, tea, a a fruity dessert. Drinks (sake, beer, wine) are extra. The western-style breakfast buffet is somewhat bland and spongy--sort of sausage, scrambled eggs, toasts (French, with syrup), rolls, fruit, coffee, etc. The Japanese breakfast choices are huge from soups to fish to "caviar," and things I didn't recognize (bigger than a Russian breakfast buffet). It's up from the center of town, so you would take a cab from the bus, or I imagine, the airport. The hotel has a shuttle van to and from but that seems only to run twice each half-day, and doesn't seem coordinated with other transportation timetables. You would have to check. On the whole, a well run, efficient, and pleasant place; with basic English spoken. There is also a café that I did not go into, so not sure what its hours are.

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“Will return. Relaxing stay.”

Return visit. Stayed in Sakura room with private hot spring. Sea view was wonderful. Missed dolphin tour this round due to rain and high tide. Hotel gladly customise kaiseiki to dietary needs. Although they serve plenty of seafood delicacies some tasted fishy especially the abalone. They generousl… more

Return visit. Stayed in Sakura room with private hot spring. Sea view was wonderful. Missed dolphin tour this round due to rain and high tide. Hotel gladly customise kaiseiki to dietary needs. Although they serve plenty of seafood delicacies some tasted fishy especially the abalone. They generously provided lobster the two days but the dinner course was over cooked. I wished they do something to improve the culinary standards as we will be returning. I preferred buffet breakfast with a special set meal over dinner. Service much warmer and friendly compared to many parts of Japan although limited English.

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