Hotel New Akao

This hotel offers a unique blend of Showa-era grandeur and breathtaking ocean views, making it a memorable destination. Its signature feature is its dramatic cliffside location, providing unparalleled vistas of the sea from nearly every vantage point. Guests are consistently impressed by the extensive hot spring facilities and the wide array of dining options, particularly the grand buffet halls. The hotel is an excellent fit for families seeking diverse activities and amenities, couples looking for a romantic escape with stunning scenery, and sightseers eager to explore the Atami area. Most guests praise the attentive and helpful staff, contributing to a positive overall experience. To make the most of your stay, be prepared for significant walking distances between facilities and consider arriving early for meals to avoid crowds, especially during peak times.

Facilities & Amenities
Guests frequently highlight the hotel's impressive range of facilities and amenities. The hot spring baths are a major draw, with multiple options including infinity pools and open-air baths offering spectacular ocean views, though some note they can become crowded during peak hours. The hotel also features indoor pools and a unique ocean pool for seasonal enjoyment, along with a retro game arcade that provides entertainment for all ages. Spacious lobbies and lounges offer comfortable areas to relax, often with welcome drinks available. While Wi-Fi is generally available, some guests report inconsistent connectivity. Convenient water servers and ice machines are appreciated on guest floors. However, the elevators are a recurring point of frustration, often being slow, crowded, and leading to long wait times due to the hotel's large scale and older design.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Feedback on cleanliness and room comfort is somewhat mixed, though many guests find their accommodations satisfactory. Most rooms offer stunning ocean views, which are consistently praised. While some guests describe rooms as clean, spacious, and recently renovated, others note signs of age, such as dated decor, dust, or stains on carpets. Bed comfort receives varied comments, with some finding beds or futons too hard. Bathrooms are frequently mentioned as being small, narrow, or outdated, with some reports of unpleasant odors or cleanliness issues. Noise levels from adjacent rooms or hallways are occasionally noted, impacting the overall tranquility. In-room amenities typically include a mini-refrigerator and toiletries, with some guests appreciating the quality of products provided.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel's dining experience is a central part of the stay, primarily featuring extensive buffet options for both dinner and breakfast. Guests are often impressed by the sheer variety of dishes available, spanning Japanese, Western, and local specialties, including fresh sashimi, steak, and tempura prepared at live cooking stations. The grand dining halls, often accompanied by live piano music, create a unique and lively atmosphere. While many guests praise the food quality as delicious and satisfying, some find it to be average or inconsistent, with dishes occasionally getting cold due to the large scale. A common point of concern is the significant wait times and crowding at the buffet lines, especially during peak hours, which can detract from the experience. Some guests also opt for the hotel's French restaurant, which receives high marks for its quality and service.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel boasts a truly exceptional oceanfront location, dramatically perched on a cliffside, offering unparalleled views of the sea and coastline. This unique setting is a major highlight for guests. However, its secluded position means it is not easily walkable to Atami town or local conveniences. Accessibility is primarily facilitated by a complimentary shuttle bus service to and from Atami Station, which guests find essential for transportation, though it can become crowded or full during busy periods. Parking is available on-site, but it is often located a considerable distance from the main hotel entrances, and a fee is typically charged, which some guests find inconvenient given the remote location. The lack of nearby shops or restaurants means guests largely rely on the hotel's facilities for their needs.

Staff & Service
The staff and service generally receive high praise, with many guests commending the team's friendliness, attentiveness, and professionalism. Most guests report a positive and welcoming experience, highlighting the staff's dedication to hospitality. The check-in and check-out processes can be mixed, with some experiencing quick and efficient service, while others encounter long queues and delays, particularly during busy periods. While many appreciate the staff's helpfulness with requests and inquiries, some isolated incidents of perceived unfriendliness or slow response to room issues have been noted. Foreign staff members are frequently singled out for their excellent service and communication. Overall, the staff's efforts to ensure a comfortable stay are a recurring theme in guest feedback.

Additional Information
The hotel's sheer size and layout are frequently mentioned, with guests noting the extensive walking distances required to navigate between the various wings and facilities, which can be challenging for some. The deliberate preservation of a Showa Retro theme throughout the hotel's architecture and interiors is a unique aspect, contributing to a nostalgic and grand atmosphere. For families with young children, the hotel offers a range of thoughtful baby and child-friendly amenities, including specific equipment and services. The hotel also provides excellent vantage points for viewing the Atami fireworks displays, often with special arrangements for guests. Some guests note that room temperature control can be limited due to a centralized climate system. Ongoing elevator construction is mentioned, aiming to alleviate the common issue of long wait times.