Zao Shiki no Hotel

Room is spacious. The room can accommodate up to 5 people but we were there with just 3 so the space is more than enough. The dinner is great. Staffs at the dining room were great. They are willing to help and with smiling on their face all the time even though they are very busy and tired from running around.

The staffs at the reception should be replaced with a better attitude staffs. It was a little surprise that no one show up to help us with the door or luggage at all unlike all other ryokans or big hotel we visited through out Japan. When we approach the reception, all staffs were inside the room so have to ring a bell and once they came out, nothing have change her face was like “why are you here at this time?” No offer for free shuttle to Ropeway or even introducing the lounge for waiting until check-in time. At least she checked whether the room is ready for check-in or not. Another shot that I was very impressed was in the morning where I went to check out and asked for free shuttle back to Yamagata which the hotel has provided this free service. They told us that it is full and we need to reserve 3 days in advance which was not making any sense to me. But it was my fault as it was their rule so I let it go. Again, the staffs were not helpful and not even show the effort to help. The only thing they told was that there is a bus terminal but no one were saying about the anytime free shuttle back to the terminal like other normal ryokan. I strongly recommend management to replace majority of reception staffs or get them trained to make them feel proud of their work and know that they are representing the looks of their hotel. I am very confident that I will not revisit the hotel again from the above reason even though all others area are good.