As mentioned in a previous post, our last destination in Japan was Kobe and Seaside Hotel Maiko Villa was where we spent the night. It is a beautiful resort overlooking the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge and Akashi Strait and everything about our stay here screamed seaside vacation.

Seaside Hotel Maiko Villa

Address: 18-11 Higashimaikocho, Tarumi Ward, Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture 655-0047, Japan
Phone Number: +81 78-706-3711
English Website: https://www.maikovilla.co.jp/en/

Check-In Time: 3:00PM
Check-Out Time: 9:00AM

Reservation for non-smoking deluxe twin room was ¥23,000 (~$256 CAD) for two guests, one night.

Lobby

View from our room.

Heart-shaped bath tub.

Buffet-style breakfast.

Garden/courtyard area overlooking the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge.

Amenities: ★★★★★ (outdoor swimming pool, garden terrace barbeque area, lobby shop, tea ceremony room, private party room, 17 banquet rooms)
Cleanliness: ★★★★☆
Comfort: ★★★★☆
Proximity: ★★☆☆☆ (see con section below)
Quietness: ★★★☆☆ (we could hear the guests two rooms away at our door, but inside the room was fairly quiet)
Safety: ★★★★☆
Service:★★★★☆ (shuttle busses pick up and drop off at JR station, spas sessions available for booking, private party room offers karaoke)
Space: ★★★★★
Value of Price: ★★★★☆
Internet Access: Free
Breakfast: Included

Pros:
I feel guilty giving such high ratings, but judging this hotel alone against these criterium and not comparing it to other luxury hotels, I really think they do score quite high in a few of these areas. I mean just the range of amenities they offer is shocking! Like what hotel offers 17 banquet rooms!? And service? The front desk helped me send my rented pocket wi-fi to the post office. I almost want to give them a 5-star for that. Oh and space? As you enter through the door, there is a shoe closet to the left, followed by a mini walkway then you enter the room. There’s even a little couch and coffee table area, not to mention the heart-shape bath tub in the washroom which also has a breathtaking panoramic view of the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge. This might not sound like much, but in a small country with such high population density, this is amazing. I understand that the concept of Maiko is obviously more of a luxurious seaside villa, but it is easily twice as big as the hotel we stayed at on our first night in Osaka.

Con:
The closest JR stop to the hotel is the Maiko Station. And it is ridiculously far. From where the shopping district is in Sannomiya/Motomachi, for example, to Maiko Station is at least a 30-minute train ride. As I’ve already mentioned, this hotel is more of a seaside villa so it is sort of like a mini getaway from the busyness of central Kobe. That said, I’m not quick to call proximity Maiko Villa’s downside. It really depends on what kind of a stay you are having. If you are like us, traveling to Kobe for the first time and wanting to see attractions around the city, Maiko won’t be your top pick. However, if you’re going more for a relaxed, away from urbanization vacation route, you won’t be disappointed at what Maiko has to offer in terms of its views.

Like what you see? Check here for availabilities and book today!