On July 12, Mystays Hotel Management held the grand opening of the “Ocean Wing” wing of Hotel New Akao (1993-65, Atami, Shizuoka Prefecture).
This long-established resort has been a driving force in Atami’s hot spring tourism since its establishment in 1973. Although it regrettably closed in November 2021 due to the aging of the building and the decline in the number of guests caused by the Corona disaster, it opened in December 2022 under the name of the former Hotel New Akao, with some of its facilities being reopened as the “Horizon Wing” building. The hotel has since undergone a series of renovations, culminating in the grand opening this time.
The hotel site is located at the tip of Nishikigaura, a scenic spot recognized as a Japan Geopark, about 10 minutes by car from JR Atami Station, and features an unusual structure that stretches vertically along the cliff. It consists of three major facilities: the Ocean Wing building on the edge of the surf, the Horizon Wing building at the top of the cliff, and the Sparium Nishiki, a large public bath located halfway between the two buildings.
The hotel has 350 guest rooms, all with ocean views. Of these, the Ocean Wing building, which was unveiled this time, has 250 rooms, mainly Japanese-style and Japanese-Western-style rooms, and a new suite with an area of 203m2 has been newly built for a limited number of rooms.
The hotel boasts of its natural hot spring water, which can be enjoyed in eight different bathtubs, including an “infinity bath” in the main bathhouse where guests can enjoy a sense of oneness with the horizon, an open-air bath where the sound of rippling waves is soothing, and private baths that are reserved for private use.
For dinner, guests can choose from three restaurants: Maifan (Japanese cuisine), Bonheur (French cuisine), and Nishiki (main dining room), all with ocean view seats overlooking the Sagami Sea.
Among them is the newly built “Main Dining Nishiki,” a huge fan-shaped restaurant that is rare in Japan. Here, guests can enjoy a sumptuous buffet in the evening and morning (lunch is also available to the general public). The menu features fresh seafood such as horse mackerel, abalone, and lobster that only a fishing port town can offer, as well as seasonal vegetables and fruits, and a selection of local gourmet foods and famous sake from Shizuoka.
The glass windows on the walls offer a picture-like view of the sea and the cliffs, with Hatsushima Island in the distance.
In addition, the hotel has a lounge where you can take a break with self-service drinks, an adult wine bar with darts and billiard tables, a canned food bar perfect for evening meals or after a hot bath, a target shooting corner, retro Showa-era boat games, karaoke, an indoor pool, and many other playful spots.
In addition, “Resort Activities” have been in operation since July 1. A variety of experiences such as “Ocean Pool,” a natural seawater pool, SUP and kayak tours, and easy fishing are available at a dedicated counter, depending on the season and the weather of the day.
At the opening ceremony, Shunsuke Yamamoto, Chairman and Representative Director of Mystays Hotel Management, the host of the event, appealed to the unique character of Hotel New Akao, which rises above the quay, saying, “Once you experience it, you will never forget it; this is the essence of a classic hotel.
In the renovation work, “We focused on the facilities and kitchen, which are not directly seen by the public. We focused on restoring the guest rooms and the main dining room while retaining their original quality. From now on, we would like to listen to everyone’s opinions and work together to create the New Akao in stages.
For example, he expressed his hope that the currently unused middle banquet hall (used in the past for group tours) will become a symbol of Atami for the next 50 years by meeting the needs of current users, such as a family room or kids’ play room.
Hiroki Tsuchihashi, general manager of the Hotel New Akao, then commented, “Twenty-two staff members from the former Hotel New Akao joined our team for the opening. The opening of the new hotel is supported by the staff who can say “Welcome back” to the customers who have been coming to the hotel for a long time. This is the meaning of our catchphrase, “Reviving the symbol of Atami,” he said, expressing his gratitude to the people involved and the local community.
Also in attendance were four guests of honor: Atami Mayor Sakae Saito, Atami Onsen Hotel and Ryokan Cooperative Association President Kinsei Morita, Atami City Tourism Association Chairman Mikio Nakajima, and Shizuoka Bank Managing Executive Officer Eiji Ishii.
Mayor Saito said, “I am very much looking forward to Hotel New Akao’s new initiatives,” as he seeks to once again boost tourism in Atami toward After Corona, just as it did in the 1960s, when Atami made great strides as a unique tourist destination.
He also congratulated “Mystays Hotel Management, with its network of more than 140 hotels throughout Japan, we hope to attract more customers to Atami.
© Source travel watch
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