Unbelievable Takamatsu Luxury: Takamatsu Kokusai Hotel Awaits!
Unbelievable Takamatsu Luxury? My Takamatsu Kokusai Hotel Adventure! (Spoiler Alert: It's a Trip!)
Okay, folks, buckle up, because I just got back from the Takamatsu Kokusai Hotel, and let me tell you, it's an experience. Forget flawless, perfect hotel reviews. This is the real deal, warts and all, from a slightly jet-lagged, caffeine-deprived traveler who's seen things… and stayed in places. Is it "unbelievable luxury"? Well, let's unpack that, shall we?
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First Impressions & the "Arrival Huddle" (Accessibility, Services & Conveniences, Getting Around):
So, I arrived. Exhausted. The airport transfer (yes, they do that – phew!), was smooth. Shout out to the driver, who miraculously navigated even when I was trying to decipher my own sleep-deprived directions. The hotel itself…well, let's just say it makes a statement. Grand, kind of imposing. It's got that old-school, proper hotel vibe, with a healthy dose of modern convenience thrown in.
Now, about accessibility. This is HUGE for me. I need to know I can actually get around. The Kokusai Hotel? They've made an effort, bless 'em. I saw elevators, and those are a MUST. Did I see perfect accessibility? Maybe not. But they seem to be trying. I'm a big fan of the on-site car park [free of charge] and the car park [on-site]. Makes life easier, especially after a long day of exploring. The elevator is a godsend, seriously. They have the basics to start with.
- Anecdote Time: Getting through the front door was a tad confusing. I'm not sure why there aren't automatic doors? But the doorman was incredibly kind and patient, helping with my ridiculously overpacked suitcase. He also pointed me in the direction of the convenience store, which, let's be honest, is a lifesaver when you're in a new place and need a snack at 3 AM.
Rooms & Living the Dream (Available in all rooms, Services & Conveniences):
Okay, the room! The rooms themselves… well, they’re generous in size! I wouldn’t call it “minimalist chic,” but it was comfy. The air conditioning was a lifesaver (hello, summer heat!). Air conditioning in public areas is also a plus. And yes, free Wi-Fi in all rooms! HUGE win. Seriously, I need that instant connection. Also, the complimentary tea and coffee/tea maker were a welcome touch.
Here are the details in the room: Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
- Quirky Observation: The decor is… interesting. Let's call it "tastefully classic." There were definitely moments where I felt like I’d stepped back in time, but in a cozy, inviting way. The blackout curtains were a godsend!
Indulgence, Bliss & Maybe a Bit of Disappointment (Ways to Relax, Cleanliness and Safety, Spa, Dining, drinking, and snacking):
Okay, this is where things get juicy. The Kokusai Hotel boasts a spa, a swimming pool (outdoor!), and that pool with view is amazing, and sauna! I was SO ready for some pampering.
The spa itself was… fine. A little sterile, to be honest. The spa/sauna and the steam room were decent. I didn’t try the Body scrub or Body wrap, but hey, maybe next time. The fitness center was pretty standard gym stuff, nothing crazy.
And Here It Gets a Tad Messy…
The Pool: The outdoor pool was definitely a highlight. A great spot to unwind. BUT… (and there's always a but, isn't there?), I walked into my room after finishing my swim and noticed the daily disinfection in common areas sign – that's reassuring. But… I may have seen some hair at the bottom of the pool. Now, I'm not a germaphobe, but it was a little off-putting. Maybe I'm overly critical.
The Food…A Series of Unforgettable Journeys:
The restaurants! I'm a foodie, so this was crucial. They have a buffet in restaurant for breakfast (standard, the Asian breakfast was a nice touch), and various restaurants serving Asian cuisine . They also have a bar! I found a great Happy hour there. They offer breakfast [buffet]. They even have vegetarian restaurant. Great Happy hour, restaurants, and Desserts in restaurant.
The Room service [24-hour], which could be the single greatest thing about this hotel. The Breakfast in room was a life-saver! The A la carte in restaurant was okay, nothing special. Dinner was… hit or miss. The International cuisine in restaurant was a bit bland.
- Honest Assessment: The food felt a little… institutional at times. The coffee shop was good for a quick caffeine fix. The Poolside bar was convenient. I wished I had tried the Snack bar.
Safety, Hygiene & Peace of Mind (Cleanliness and safety):
Okay, this is important. In these times, safety is KEY. I noticed a lot of good stuff: The Hygiene certification made me feel better. They had Anti-viral cleaning products, Hand sanitizer everywhere, and the staff took it seriously. The Staff trained in safety protocol helped. I also saw Daily disinfection in common areas. They offer individually-wrapped food options, which is great.
Here are the details: Anti-viral cleaning products, Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment.
The "Stuff" & the Niceties (Services and conveniences):
They had all the usual stuff: Laundry service, Daily housekeeping, Concierge (super helpful). Also, the Luggage storage came in handy. I didn't try the Babysitting service, but good to know it's there, especially for Family/child friendly. The smoking area was clearly marked (thank goodness, I hate wandering around looking for a place). I also got a Invoice provided
The Bottom Line:
Would I recommend the Takamatsu Kokusai Hotel? Hmm… it really depends on what you're looking for. If you want spotless perfection, maybe look elsewhere. But if you want a comfortable, well-equipped hotel with good accessibility, decent amenities, and a classic vibe, it’s worth a shot. It's definitely an experience, and I mean that in the best possible way.
My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars. Solid, with room for improvement, but ultimately, I had a good time. And a slightly less judgmental approach to other people's hair.
Escape to Paradise: Kavy Hotel Boutique, Cameron Highlands
Okay, buckle up buttercup, because this isn't your grandma's dry-as-toast itinerary. We're heading to Takamatsu, Japan, specifically the Takamatsu Kokusai Hotel, and trust me, things are gonna get…interesting. This is a real trip, a real person's trip, and that means things will get messy. Prepare for glorious chaos.
Takamatsu Kokusai Hotel: The Unofficial, Unfiltered Itinerary (aka, Attempting to Adult in Japan)
Day 1: Arrival and the Existential Crisis of the Vending Machine
- 1 PM: Touchdown! Arriving at Takamatsu Airport. Jet lag hits like a ton of bricks. My brain feels like a scrambled egg. Finding the shuttle bus to the hotel. Praying I understand the ticket machine. (Spoiler alert: I almost didn't).
- 1:45 PM: The Shuttle Shuffle. Successfully navigated the ticket… or maybe I just got lucky. The shuttle ride is uneventful, but the scenery is already captivating. Rice paddies shimmering under the sun, little houses nestled amongst the green.
- 2:30 PM: Check-in…And the First Encounter. The Takamatsu Kokusai Hotel lobby is…nice. A little bit dated maybe? But clean! And the staff are ridiculously polite. Like, "world champion polite." My room is small, but hey, it's Japan. Efficiency over luxury, right? (Whispers: please let the bed be comfortable….)
- 2:45 PM: The Battle for a Drink. Okay, let's talk vending machines. They're everywhere. I mean, everywhere. My first attempt to buy a bottle of green tea involved a complex dance of Yen insertion, button pressing, and a silent plea to the vending machine gods. Victory! (Though I swear it judged me).
- 3:30 PM: Initial explorations. wandering aimlessly, slightly bewildered, by the hotel and its surroundings. A lot of temples everywhere, I remember this feeling from my younger years.
- 4:00 PM: Kicking back. Some much-needed rest. Reading my book, which I’ll probably forget the contents of in about 5 minutes thanks to the jet lag.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner Debacle. Dinner at the hotel restaurant. They have a limited English menu (thank god!) and I ordered what sounded safe (tempura). It arrived, perfectly presented, but I swear I heard a tiny voice in my head screaming, "What are you even doing?" Regardless, it was DELICIOUS. A culinary triumph, this.
- 9:00 PM: Bedtime or Bust. Currently fighting the urge to pass out. Japan time: 9 PM. My body: 3 AM. Will try and stay up enough.
- 9:30 PM: The Eternal Darkness. Finally, I'm done.
Day 2: Udon, Gardens, and the Fear of Karaoke
- 7:00 AM: Morning Ritual (aka, the Wake-Up Call from Hell). Woke up. Discovered a mysterious itching sensation, which I assume is from the hotel bed sheets. The shower pressure is amazing!
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast. The hotel's breakfast buffet. There's a lot of fish. I'm a picky eater, I know, but… too much fish. I stick to the scrambled eggs and toast, and I feel like a disappointment to the culinary gods.
- 9:00 AM: Udon Quest Begins. Takamatsu is Udon country, and so, I must experience udon. Stumbling through the streets, trying to look like I know what I'm doing.
- 9:30 AM: Udon Glorification. Found a tiny, unassuming udon shop. The noodles? Heaven. Chewy, flavorful, and the broth was perfect. This is what life is all about. Food, glorious food! Seriously, I might come back to Japan just for this bowl.
- 11:00 AM: Ritsurin Garden: Botanical Overload. Ritsurin Garden. STUNNING. Seriously, it's like stepping into a painting. But the crowds! I'm jostling for space to take a decent photo. I ended up yelling something stupid like "This is beautiful!" out loud while a little kid was staring at me.
- 1:00 PM: The Curry Rice Incident. Lunch. Ordered curry rice. It was…curry rice. Nothing spectacular, but filled the gap. Probably should have ordered more udon.
- 2:00 PM: Back to the Hotel. A much-needed afternoon nap, but the temptation to go and explore the streets is too strong.
- 3:00 PM: The Streets! Wandering the streets of Takamatsu. I just love the city. I love seeing people go about their day.
- 4:00 PM: Karaoke? Not sure but I’m tempted. Not going to lie, considering how many drinks i've had…I might get my guts out. The bar staff looked at me like I was mental.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner Disappointment. Tried a recommended restaurant. It was very..local. The menu was all in Japanese. Used Google Translate, made a guess, and ended up with something I wasn't so sure about. "I'm sure you'll learn to enjoy it!" the waiter chirped. I forced a smile.
- 8:00 PM: Back to the hotel. I'm tired. I want to sleep. This is not the life of luxury that I had imagined. I have to plan for tomorrow!
- 9:00 PM: The darkness. Goodbye.
Day 3: Island Hopping and the Sadness of Leaving
- 7:00 AM: Waking Up. Actually had a decent sleep. Wow, that was unexpected.
- 8:00 AM: A Quick Breakfast. More fish. Forced down some rice.
- 9:00 AM: The Ferry: Set sail for Megijima (island of the demons). The ferry ride is surprisingly pleasant. Chilled on top and took a lot of pics.
- 9:30 AM: Megijima. Wandering the streets of Megijima. So pretty. The island itself is incredibly photogenic. And the demons? A little quirky, but interesting.
- 1:00 PM: Back to the Hotel. The boat back to Takamatsu. Now that the trip is ending, I'm sad.
- 2:00 PM: Packing. packing.
- 3:00 PM: Leaving. Checked out. So sad. But I'll come back.
- 4:00 PM: The Shuttle bus. That sad bus ride to the airport.
- 5:00 PM: The airport. Waiting for the flight. Thinking about the udon.
- 5:30 PM: Boarding. Goodbye Japan.
Final Thoughts:
This trip was… intense. Exhausting. Beautiful. Delicious. A little bit embarrassing. And absolutely unforgettable. Takimatsu, you have stolen a piece of my heart, and my stomach (thanks, udon!). I'll be back, Japan. I promise. And next time, I'm conquering that karaoke.
Candlewood Suites Augusta: Your Augusta Getaway Awaits!
So, Is This Place REALLY "Luxury"? Because my bank account is still recovering from that ramen incident...
Alright, alright, let's rip off the gilded band-aid. "Luxury" at Takamatsu Kokusai… it depends. Like, *really* depends. Is it like, *Versailles* levels of opulent? No. You won't trip over priceless artifacts in every hallway. *I* didn't, anyway. But it's definitely a step *up* from your average business hotel. Think… clean, spacious rooms (a lifesaver after a day of dodging Japanese construction cones!), a decent view (if you get the right room. I got the… *industrial district* view for the first two nights. Let's just say it wasn't postcard material). The amenities, they're good. The breakfast buffet is glorious (more on that later). So, luxury-ish? Maybe? Pricey-ish? Definitely. Did my budget need intensive care afterwards? YES. But was it *worth* potentially eating instant noodles for a week? … I'm still debating that one.
The Breakfast Buffet: Legend or Lie? Because I read some stuff online…
Okay, the buffet. THIS is where the Kokusai Hotel *shines*. Seriously. Forget the industrial district view, forget the slight lingering anxiety about the bill… the breakfast is a game changer. Okay, it's a buffet, so let's not get carried away. But let me tell you, *this* buffet has got soul. Think: freshly made omelets (the chef, bless his heart, remembered my "no onion, please" request *every* day!), a dizzying array of Japanese breakfast staples (pickled ginger, miso soup that actually tastes like something), and… oh, the little pastries. The *little* pastries! Flaky, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth delights that almost made me miss my flight. *Almost*. Look, I ended up eating about 8 of those little pastries on a single morning. I have no regrets. Okay, maybe a *few* regrets about the resulting sugar crash later that afternoon. But still. Breakfast: A+, would *absolutely* raid again.
Alright, Spill the Tea (or Green Tea), What's the Vibe Like? Is it Stuffy?
Vibe. Hmm. Okay, this might sound weird, but it's a bit… *controlled*. It's definitely not a rowdy backpacker hostel. Everyone's polite, everyone's clean, and everyone seems to be silently judging your questionable choice of footwear (me) as you shuffle through the lobby. The staff are lovely, but they have this… quiet efficiency. Like, they get things done, and they do it *perfectly*. Which, honestly, is impressive after a few too many sake bombs the night before. Do people actually *enjoy* being in an atmosphere of perfection? I'm still not sure, the perfectness is intimidating. But yeah, stuffy? Maybe a little. Relaxing? Eventually, I guess. After about three days of intense internal self-scrutiny (thanks, quiet efficiency!).
Rooms! Let's Talk Rooms. Are They Actually Comfortable? Or Tiny Shoe Boxes?
The rooms! Yeah, so this is where my feelings are… mixed. The rooms are generally *good*. Clean, as I mentioned. Spacious-ish. The beds are comfortable. The bathtub is a godsend after a day of exploring. (Hot tip: get a room with a view! Seriously, the industrial district… not a vibe). But. Here's the *But*. My first room was a tad… minimalist? Like, I'm pretty sure the beige walls were actively *judging* my brightly patterned travel pants. It wasn't BAD, just… not particularly *memorable*. The second room was better. More space, a slightly less depressing view. ProTip: Ask what you can get. You don't want to spend your hard-earned money on a hotel room that's literally the view from a fire escape. Really. So, are they comfortable? Yes. Do they knock your socks off? Not exactly. But hey, at least I didn't feel like I was sleeping in a closet, which is a win in my book.
Okay, the Location! Is it Convenient? Because I can't navigate Google Maps to save my life…
Location, location, location! This is a big win for the Kokusai. It's *super* convenient. Right near the main Takamatsu station, easy access to the port for the islands, and tons of stores everywhere you look. Even *I* (the aforementioned Google Maps disaster) managed to find my way around. Because it's pretty hard to get lost when everything is right outside your door. The surrounding area is packed with restaurants, shops, and other things to see, but it's by the station, not in the city, it's quiet. Seriously, you could stumble out the door, order some udon, and be back in your room for a nap in about an hour. Excellent for that. So, convenient? Absolutely. Perfect for a slightly clumsy traveler who is easily distracted by shiny things (me again!).
The Spa/Gym? Did You Even Bother?
The spa/gym… Oh, jeez. Okay, here's where the cracks in my perfect picture start to show. There *is* a gym. And a spa. I saw them. I mean, I *glanced* at them. From the hallway. The gym looked… gym-y. You know, treadmills, weights, the usual suspects. The spa was mysteriously quiet. And *you* know why I didn't actually *use* them? Because my travel schedule was more about eating pastries at breakfast and admiring the architecture of convenience stores. Also, there might have been a sake incident or two. Did I *intend* to work out? Absolutely! Did I? Well… let's just say my muscles got plenty of exercise walking to the pastry shop. It's fine, I'm sure the spa is lovely.
Would you go back? Be honest, now…
Okay, the million-dollar question. Would I go back? …Hmm. Here's the thing. The Kokusai Hotel is a solid choice. The location is unbeatable. The breakfast? Legendary. The staff are lovely. The rooms are comfortable enough, and the everything is clean. But at the same time, I was a little bit… *bored*? The perfectness is… weird. Maybe if I was a very formal traveler, or if I was going with a group of my peers, a professional trip? But it felt a bit too… predictable, in the best way. And also, I am very very broke now. I'd go back, maybe. But I'd probably spend myMy Hotel Reviewst
