Natural Hot Spring Hotel Livemax Premium Hiroshima

The hotel offers a unique urban retreat, distinguished by its rooftop natural hot spring bath on the 10th floor, featuring water transported from Izu, providing a relaxing experience with views of passing Shinkansen trains. This makes it an excellent choice for sightseers and couples seeking relaxation after exploring the city. Many guests also find it suitable for business travelers due to its value and convenient in-room amenities. The hotel consistently receives praise for its overall cleanliness and the convenience of having a microwave in every room, a feature highly appreciated by long-stay guests and those preferring in-room dining. While the location is generally good, some guests note a slight walk from the station. For an enhanced experience, consider requesting a room on a higher floor to enjoy the train views, and be prepared for potentially crowded conditions in the female public bath, especially during peak hours.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel's standout feature is its rooftop natural hot spring bath, which includes both an indoor and an open-air bath, along with a sauna, providing a relaxing escape for most guests. Some guests particularly appreciated the presence of a Refa dryer in the female bath area. However, the female bath is frequently noted as being significantly smaller than the male bath, with limited shower stalls and changing room space, leading to crowding and wait times. While the bath offers a view of the Shinkansen, some guests wished for a cold bath and a water server directly within the bath area. A highly valued amenity is the microwave found in every room, offering great convenience for guests. Other useful facilities include coin laundry machines and vending machines for drinks and snacks. Guests also noted the availability of free Wi-Fi, though some found its speed to be slow.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests generally find the rooms to be clean and well-maintained, contributing to a comfortable stay. The beds are often described as comfortable, ensuring a restful night's sleep, and the provision of separate pajamas is a thoughtful touch, though some noted issues with elastic. However, feedback on room comfort is mixed regarding noise; many guests reported significant train noise due to the hotel's proximity to the tracks, and some experienced neighboring room noise or sounds from sewage pipes, indicating subpar soundproofing. While rooms are generally well-equipped with amenities like a coffee set, some guests encountered issues such as hair dryers overheating or emitting smoke, air conditioners with unpleasant odors or visible mold, and peeling wallpaper. A notable concern for some was the presence of a cigarette smell in non-smoking rooms, and a few mentioned dirty shower curtains or air purifier tanks.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel does not feature a traditional restaurant for dining, with breakfast being offered in a bento-box style that guests collect from the front desk, a system that surprised some. While this option provides a convenient meal, it lacks the variety and atmosphere of a full breakfast buffet. Guests frequently mention the significant advantage of a large supermarket located just across the road, which offers a wide selection of prepared foods and groceries, making it easy for guests to purchase items to heat in their in-room microwave. This nearby supermarket largely compensates for the limited on-site dining options, allowing guests to manage their meals conveniently and affordably. Additionally, there are numerous restaurant choices and a cafe within walking distance near the station.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel boasts a highly convenient central location, situated approximately a 5 to 10-minute walk from Hiroshima Station, making it easily accessible for travelers arriving by train. This proximity also provides excellent access to various bus links and the light rail station, facilitating exploration of the city. A significant advantage highlighted by guests is the presence of a large supermarket directly across the road, which is open late and proves invaluable for daily needs and meal preparation. While many popular tourist spots, including the Peace Memorial Park, are within walking distance or a short tram ride, some guests found the immediate surroundings a bit quiet. Parking is available nearby, but it is noted as being expensive and not directly affiliated with the hotel, requiring guests to seek out public options.

Staff & Service
Feedback on the staff and service is somewhat mixed, though many guests describe the staff as friendly and helpful, particularly in assisting with heating instructions or luggage storage. The check-in and check-out process is often praised for being quick and efficient, largely due to the use of self-check-in terminals, which some guests found convenient for a non-contact experience. However, some international guests reported a language barrier, noting that front desk staff occasionally struggled with English communication, requiring assistance from translation apps or family members. A few guests also experienced less positive interactions, describing some staff as curt or unconcerned when issues arose, such as lost belongings or specific requests. The hotel's key card policy, providing only one card per room, was a recurring point of inconvenience for guests, especially those traveling with companions or utilizing the public bath.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware of a mandatory onsen tax that is charged per person per night, regardless of whether the public bath facilities are used. The hotel operates on a cleaning-on-request basis, allowing guests to opt for daily room service or decline it for a more private stay. A notable policy that caused some inconvenience is the provision of only one key card per room, which can be problematic for groups or couples wishing to access different areas of the hotel simultaneously, such as the public bath. While rooms are equipped with amenities, some guests noted the specific type of tea provided was kombu tea rather than traditional Japanese green tea. For entertainment, the TV operates on a paid card system, requiring a purchase for 24 hours of viewing. The hotel also provides laundry machines for guest use and an amenity bar at the front desk for selecting toiletries.