Hotel Reviews

2026/9/10

Aura Tachibana Hakone Review: Private Onsen, Kaiseki Dining & Romancecar Access

If you are looking for an easy Hakone getaway from Tokyo by Romancecar, this is a ryokan worth considering. It is especially suitable for adult mother-and-daughter trips, multigenerational family trips, and international travelers looking for a relaxing Japanese onsen experience. This time, we stayed at Aura Tachibana, a hot spring ryokan in Hakone. Hakone was busy with both Japanese and international visitors during our August trip. In this review, we will share our experience traveling from Shinjuku by Romancecar, as well as the guest room, private open-air bath, dinner, breakfast, and public onsen. Hakone is also a popular destination for mother-and-daughter trips and multigenerational family travel. We saw many families traveling together during our stay. If you are planning a relaxing Hakone trip, we hope this review helps you choose where to stay. Tokyo to Hakone in About 75 Minutes by Romancecar We traveled from Shinjuku to Hakone by Romancecar. Even during the busy August travel season, we were able to purchase reserved seats online the day before our trip, which was very convenient. We purchased our tickets here: Odakyu Romancecar Online Booking You can book without creating an account. The seats were comfortable, and power outlets made it easy to charge a phone or laptop during the journey. However, when we sat in Seat D by the window, the afternoon sunlight was quite strong. Even with the curtain closed, some light still came through. For an afternoon departure from Shinjuku, we personally preferred the A and B side, which had less direct sunlight during ...

Los Angeles

2026/9/10

Courtyard Los Angeles L.A. LIVE Review: Rooms, Fees, Amenities & Location

This time, we stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE. Two members of our group, in their 60s and 70s, stayed here and experienced the hotel firsthand. In this review, we share what we liked, what we found inconvenient, and what the surrounding area felt like in terms of safety. If you are considering staying in Downtown Los Angeles, we hope this guide helps you plan your trip. A Convenient Location Next to L.A. LIVE The Courtyard by Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE is located in Downtown Los Angeles, right next to the L.A. LIVE entertainment complex. It is about a 30-minute drive from Los Angeles International Airport, and the location is convenient for visiting Dodger Stadium and Little Tokyo. When we entered the lobby, we found a spacious, open area with high ceilings. A large floral artwork immediately caught our attention. The lobby also has a convenience shop and café-bar area that is open 24 hours. There is also a television, and according to the staff, Dodgers games are sometimes shown there. Room Review: Spacious and Comfortable, But Check What Is Missing We stayed in a corner room with two queen beds. The room felt spacious, and the beds had comfortable cushioning that made it easy to sleep. The gray, artistic wallpaper also gave the room a stylish atmosphere. However, there were several differences from what we are used to at hotels in Japan, so it is worth checking the room amenities before your trip. No Electric Kettle in the Room ...

Shizuoka

2026/9/10

Atami Pearl Star Hotel Review: Rooms, Private Onsen, Club Lounge & Dining

We stayed at Atami Pearl Star Hotel, one of the luxury hotels in Atami, Shizuoka. In this review, we share our firsthand experience of the guest room, hotel facilities, dinner and breakfast, with plenty of photos. The hotel enjoys an open location directly facing the sea, while the interior has an elegant and relaxing atmosphere. We also enjoyed summer activities such as Japanese shaved ice and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) in the sea of Atami. Atami Pearl Star Hotel combines beautiful ocean views with refined hospitality, making it a wonderful choice for adult travelers, multigenerational trips, and those traveling with parents. It is especially recommended if you are looking for a relaxing and sophisticated stay in Atami. If you are considering staying at Atami Pearl Star Hotel, we hope this review helps you plan your trip. Japanese Shaved Ice Made with Local Shizuoka Ingredients After checking in, we were welcomed in the lounge with Japanese sweets and Shizuoka green tea. It was such a lovely touch and immediately helped us settle into the relaxing atmosphere of the hotel. Afterward, we stayed in the lounge to enjoy the hotel's seasonal summer shaved ice. The luxurious shaved ice desserts use ingredients from Shizuoka and were available in four flavors: Benihoppe strawberry, Shizuoka matcha, Meyer lemon, and Mishima mango. Each flavor highlights local ingredients from Shizuoka. I chose the Shizuoka matcha shaved ice (¥2,200 including tax, excluding service charge). Homemade ice cream was hidden inside the shaved ice, and it came with kuromitsu brown sugar syrup ...

Japan Okinawa

2026/9/10

Hotel Palm Royal Resort Kokusai Street Review: Onsen, Breakfast & Location

After staying at Sheraton Okinawa in Onna Village, we moved to Hotel Palm Royal Resort Kokusai Street in the heart of Naha. In this review, we will share what we liked about the hotel from the perspective of a traveler in her 60s, including the guest room, public bath, breakfast buffet, pool, and accessibility. Right in the Middle of Kokusai Street Hotel Palm Royal Resort Kokusai Street is located right in the center of Kokusai Street, making it very convenient for shopping and dining. The exterior reminded us a little of the Royal Hawaiian in Hawaii, so much so that we jokingly called it “Okinawa's Royal Hawaiian.” If you want to return to your hotel quickly after exploring Kokusai Street, this location is a major advantage. Guest Room at Hotel Palm Royal Resort Kokusai Street This was the room we stayed in. It was not especially spacious compared with the Sheraton, but it did not feel cramped either. There was also a sofa, although we did not use it much. Next to the television, there was a small space where you could sit and do makeup. The room also had a coffee machine, which was a nice touch. The toilet had a washlet. The sink area was simple, and amenities were provided near the front desk, so guests could take only what they needed. The bathroom was not particularly large, but it felt clean. Relax in the Large Public Bath Hotel Palm Royal Resort Kokusai Street has a large public bath, so we recommend using ...