Our stay at Chalet Ivy Jozankei was truly memorable and one of the best luxury hotel experiences we have had in Japan. The hotel is beautifully designed, impeccably maintained, and the hospitality from most of the staff was exceptional.
We were warmly welcomed by a lovely lady at reception (whose name I unfortunately did not catch), who shared that she personally grows the beautiful flowers displayed in the hotel's sitting area. That personal touch immediately made us feel at home.
Mr. Tai, who checked us in, was friendly, patient, courteous and professional. He took the time to explain the room features and hotel facilities in detail, making us feel genuinely welcomed.
The cleanliness deserves special recognition. I am particularly sensitive to cleanliness and usually notice dust very easily, yet I could not find a single speck of dirt anywhere in the room. It is honestly one of the cleanest hotels I have ever stayed in.
The lounge was another highlight. Each guest received a ¥1,000 alcoholic drink credit, and the complimentary snacks featured premium Hokkaido brands such as LeTAO, Yoshimi and Ryugetsu, making the experience feel truly luxurious.
Dinner was outstanding. Every course was beautifully presented and delicious, while the restaurant staff provided attentive and polished service. The hotel's tasteful interior perfectly complemented the stunning views of the lush greenery and Toyohira River.
We were also delighted to find beautifully cut and chilled melon and strawberries waiting in our room upon arrival. It was a thoughtful welcome that reflected the hotel's exceptional attention to detail. Breakfast was equally impressive, with beautifully prepared dishes that made each morning enjoyable.
The private onsen in our room was undoubtedly one of the highlights of our stay, allowing us to relax while enjoying the peaceful natural surroundings.
While our overall experience was excellent, I have a few suggestions for improvement.
One Japanese male staff member who was on duty during check-in and later that evening came across as rather cold. On several occasions, I smiled and greeted him, but he did not acknowledge me and simply walked away. The contrast with the warmth shown by the rest of the team was quite noticeable.
As such a premium property, it would also be wonderful if the hotel could offer more cultural or wellness activities, such as tea appreciation sessions, guided evening walks or seasonal experiences. During a previous stay at Capella Singapore, these activities became some of the most memorable parts of our visit, and I believe Chalet Ivy Jozankei has the perfect setting to offer something similar.
I would also like to suggest a different restaurant seating arrangement for tables of four. Currently, only two guests can enjoy the beautiful river and greenery views while the other two face the interior of the restaurant. Arranging the tables perpendicular to the windows would allow all four guests to enjoy the spectacular scenery during their meal.
Lastly, although we appreciated receiving tickets to the Summer Night Illumination Festival, accessing the main street requires walking up a very steep slope that is shared with vehicles, which could be challenging and potentially unsafe for elderly guests. In the future, perhaps a pedestrian bridge connecting Level 5 directly to the street level could improve accessibility and safety.
Overall, Chalet Ivy Jozankei delivered an exceptional luxury experience with outstanding cleanliness, thoughtful hospitality, remarkable cuisine and beautiful surroundings. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and would happily return in the future. Thank you to the entire team for making our visit so memorable.
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