松島佐勘 松庵

"From Sendai Station, take the Sengoku Line to Matsushima-Kaigan Station in about 40 minutes. Taxis are available at this station; a 15-minute ride costs about 2250 yen. The hotel doesn't offer a free shuttle service. Upon arrival, you'll be greeted with warm and attentive service. Name tags on slippers prevent you from wearing the wrong ones for the hot springs, and the menu in the evenings also includes your name – impeccable attention to detail. The room views are superb, all facing Matsushima Bay. Unfortunately, it rained heavily during my two stays, so I'll have to come back another time. Matsushima is one of Japan's three most scenic spots, and I personally think it surpasses Amanohashidate. I haven't visited Miyajima yet. The entire Matsushima-Kaigan is meticulously designed, with exquisite details throughout. The rooms are large and luxurious. The bathroom has a cypress wood tub for hot spring bathing, and the yukata and shawl are elegant and beautiful. The staff are incredibly patient, translating every detail of the procedures for me using their phones without simplifying things for foreign tourists. The person who greeted me was a very enthusiastic and attentive young woman. In the afternoon, the bar plays Yo-Yo Ma music and offers complimentary tea, coffee, and alcoholic beverages. The Japanese-style room was made up in the evening and the bed was taken away in the morning. The service was always top-notch. The only slight disappointment was that dinner was a bit slow. Breakfast offered a choice of Western or Japanese options; I chose the Japanese one, which was very plentiful and nutritious. The Daikin air conditioner was a bit noisy even at its lowest setting, so I turned it off. I've slept on very comfortable tatami mattresses in many places, but the bedding here was of exceptional quality, and I had a good night's sleep. The onsen (hot spring) was very clean and not crowded. In the afternoon, fresh roses were provided in the outdoor pool for you to add to the hot spring. It's also worth praising that check-out is at noon. The spacious, beautiful, and scenic hotel reflected its high quality in every detail. Overall, it was a wonderful stay."