For a quiet and relaxing onsen getaway, consider staying at Yutorelo Atami. On a hillside overlooking the sea, this lovely boutique hotel has only 30 rooms but offers excellent service, modern facilities, and delicious meals.
Upon arrival, guests are seated in the lobby and are given a tasty non-alcoholic 'welcome drink' while they fill out their check-in information. Check-in starts from 3pm. All rooms boast views of Sagami Bay and the island of Hatsushima. Of course, they come equipped with flat-screen TVs, refrigerators, comfortable beds and pillows, and quiet air conditioning/heating.
After checking in, most guests go straight to the hotel's wonderful onsen, which is quite spacious for a hotel of this size. Separated by sex, both men's and women's sections offer a large bath, jacuzzi, and sauna inside, and an especially nice open-air bath outside. It is important to note that guests that cannot hide their tattoos with a bandage are not permitted to use the public bathing areas or other facilities where the tattoos might be visible to other guests.
A stay at Yutorelo Atami is all about relaxation. Spa services are available from 3pm to 11pm. It is recommended that you book in advance of arrival or upon check-in. They offer 'aroma body', 'body care', 'foot therapy', and 'head therapy' massages. Prices range from ¥2000 for 20 minutes of foot therapy, to ¥10,000 for a 60 minute aroma body massage.
To further relax your feet, there is a long stone foot massage walking path in the hallway leading to the onsen. And, the lobby contains a foot bath cafe. Sit on a bench looking out at the sea while soaking your feet and enjoying some coffee, tea, or a beer.
Want a glass of wine or a cocktail before dinner? Have a drink at the bar 'Common Gull', which is open from 3pm to 10:30pm. For fun, play darts while you are there. Or, visit the activity room where ping pong, billiards, and board games can be enjoyed for free. There are also a couple of stationary bikes and a collection of Japanese books and magazines that can be read. In addition, the hotel has a tennis court.
Guests must check in by 6pm in order to enjoy dinner at the property. For the best seats, ask in advance to sit at the counter facing the kitchen at dinner, and/or a seat with an ocean view for breakfast. Dinner is a full course Japanese meal. Offerings change constantly, depending on seasonal availability of vegetables and seafood.
Breakfast is a mostly Japanese, but with a couple of Western dishes thrown in for good measure. Yutorelo Atami can accommodate some allergies, but you must let them know at least three days in advance.
Check-out is at 11am.
Yutorelo Atami is about 20 minutes drive, or bus ride, from Atami Station. The famous MOA Museum is only 10 minutes away by car. It is important to note that there is nothing that you can walk to from the resort; it sits secluded on a hillside.
