Setouchi Kojima Hotel Kurashiki

“Great views”

We loved this hotel, the views, meals, room, etc. Staff were very nice, rooms well appointed, beds still hard, but okay. Would stay here again.

“Aging hotel but very clean and good service”

The hotel has definitely seen better days, but the rooms, while dated, were sparkling clean. All of the rooms face one way and the hallway faces the other, and the view on both sides is beautiful. The ladies working in the restaurants were very cheerful and friendly and courteous. The breakfast buf… more

The hotel has definitely seen better days, but the rooms, while dated, were sparkling clean. All of the rooms face one way and the hallway faces the other, and the view on both sides is beautiful. The ladies working in the restaurants were very cheerful and friendly and courteous. The breakfast buffet is mostly Japanese fare, along with eggs, sausages and bacon (and ice cream!)

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“Beautiful location and view of the Great Seto Bridge”

We were booked into this hotel as part of a tour by Gem Japan Tours (which I highly recommend). We stayed one night on our way from Matsuyama to Kyoto, with a visit to Ritsurin Garden in Takamatsu, an amazing garden that was my favorite of all the gardens we visited. Setouchi Kojima Hotel is a go… more

We were booked into this hotel as part of a tour by Gem Japan Tours (which I highly recommend). We stayed one night on our way from Matsuyama to Kyoto, with a visit to Ritsurin Garden in Takamatsu, an amazing garden that was my favorite of all the gardens we visited. Setouchi Kojima Hotel is a good place to stay on the way to somewhere, but not much of a destination in itself as far as I could tell. We stayed there at a time when there were very few visitors, and the hotel seemed almost deserted. I was assured, however, that this hotel is quite popular during the summer with vacationers. I got a sense of the building being a Cold War era construction. Our room felt sort of antiseptic and spare, and I had the feeling that it must be what a hotel room in Russia must have felt like 50 years ago. I understand the hotel was built in the 80s, but it seems to have more of a 70s vibe to it. I guess the hotel's claim to fame is the panoramic view of the Great Seto Bridge -- and our room did have a commanding view. However, the main attractions for me were 1) the hot baths and 2) the Surf and Turf dinner. I saw more people in the hot baths than at any other place around the hotel. At the time I visited the women's bath, there was an outdoor pool and an indoor pool. The outdoor pool had a great view of the Great Seto Bridge, and that pool was more popular than the indoor pool. The outdoor pool is showing its age, however, with a lot of missing tiles along the water's edge. Otherwise, the baths were nice and hot, with good amenities and clean facilities. We seemed to be the only guests at dinner time. Our group had the lobster surf and turf, and it was really outstanding. The live lobsters were shown to us and then taken away to be killed and split lengthwise. They were then cooked at the table side and flambé-ed, a spectacular treat. The lobsters were cooked to perfection! Kobe beef was also served. I believe it was a prix fixe menu, because we were served a soup, appetizer, surf and turf entree, and dessert and coffee. The meal was in keeping with the retro feel of the hotel. Excellent service and a special-occasion sense of the meal. We all really enjoyed it! We returned to the same dining room the next morning and were served a good Western breakfast. We later learned that we could have visited the Japanese dining room for a traditional Japanese breakfast. One of our late-comers to breakfast chose the Japanese breakfast and declared it to be very good. Everyone on staff was friendly, welcoming, and very helpful. There is a small gift shop in the lobby, and I had a nice conversation with the attendant there. I bought a few small items. I liked that the gift shop showcases local goods, including denim clothing, for which Kojima is known. They also carry hand-made roses made from paper-thin slices of hinoki wood -- really beautiful and an unusual souvenir. I would stay at this hotel again if I were in the area. It was my least favorite of the hotels we experienced on our 12-day tour of Japan, but the hot baths and the lobster and Kobe beef dinner really overshadowed the dated and cold facility. A fine dinner and a good long, hot soak can make you forget about being critical of details!

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“Great view, great food with less tourism”

I stayed at this hotel just to see Great Seto Bridge. There was a subtle bus service from Kojima JR station for 10 min. The view from the hilltop hotel is awesome! The dinner & breakfast were superb as carefully prepared, presented & served. There is even a free offer for cake & drink at their loun… more

I stayed at this hotel just to see Great Seto Bridge. There was a subtle bus service from Kojima JR station for 10 min. The view from the hilltop hotel is awesome! The dinner & breakfast were superb as carefully prepared, presented & served. There is even a free offer for cake & drink at their lounge, but only available 10:30am-17:00 which we missed. Their outdoor spa overlooking the bridge is great! However, this place has no tourists attractions nor transportation services for tourists. It's such a waste not being able to see the bridge, other islands not nearby towns. With such wonderful views, beautiful small islands, fresh seafood & fruits, this place must have a potential for travellers' gem...

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