Shirahama Key Terrace Hotel Seamore

We booked a twin room with a partial ocean view, but upon entering, we were immediately disappointed and disgusted. The room was at the very end of the building, with a view that was mostly a wall and a small window overlooking a parking lot. You could only see a tiny bit of the ocean if you stood right next to the window. The sofa was filthy, the room looked extremely run-down, and the bathroom layout was bizarre, with half the sink blocked by a wall, making it very uncomfortable to use. Dust was visible in every corner, adding to the neglected and dated feel of the space. After complaining, the staff initially asked us to pay for an upgrade to a sea-view room. Following further discussions, they agreed to charge us only half the upgrade fee, which I feel should not have been charged at all given the state of the original room. Since it was late at night, we accepted the offer. The new room had an incredible view, which was its only redeeming feature, but it still looked as run-down as the rest of the hotel. The included breakfast and dinner buffet were major disappointments. Both meals were exactly the same every single day, with no effort to introduce variety. Breakfast, in particular, was subpar: the pastries were rock-hard and completely inedible, and despite there being many options, the quality was so low that I could barely fill one-third of my plate. This should give you an idea of how bad the food was. The few items I did try were tasteless or overly processed. Dinner was only slightly better, with more substantial offerings, but the lack of variety made it boring after the first night. Many dishes felt reheated and lacked any freshness or creativity. Overall, the food quality was far below the standard you’d expect from a property claiming to be a resort. The onsen was another disappointment, feeling more rustic and dirty than relaxing, with an unkempt appearance that did not inspire confidence in its cleanliness. This hotel seems to have been left untouched for decades, resembling an old resort-style property catering to tourists with little regard for quality or local charm. During our trip, we stayed at other local onsen hotels in different cities, which provided much more enjoyable and authentic experiences. The only highlights were the stunning views and the incredibly kind staff, especially Shanti and Wang, who were apologetic and did their best to accommodate us despite the hotel’s many shortcomings. In summary, while the staff and the views were wonderful, the property itself desperately needs renovation, and the overall experience left much to be desired. The repetitive, low-quality meals and lack of upkeep made this a stay I would not recommend unless you prioritize the view above all else