Unbelievable Imabari Luxury: SuperHotel Imabari Will Blow You Away!
Unbelievable Imabari Luxury: SuperHotel Imabari Will Blow You Away!
Unbelievable Imabari Luxury: SuperHotel Imabari Will Blow You Away! (Or Will It? My Honest, Messy Review)
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Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I’m about to spill the (hopefully clean and sanitized!) tea on SuperHotel Imabari. Let me preface this by saying I’ve seen some… interesting hotel rooms in my time. So going in, I had fairly low expectations. But Imabari? That’s where the Shikoku Pilgrimage starts (or finishes, depending on your mystical leanings) and you're expecting a good time. And honestly? They almost pulled it off. Almost.
First Impressions and Getting My Bearings (Accessibility, Getting Around included)
The journey to SuperHotel Imabari was a breeze. Airport transfer? Check. Free parking? Double check! (And bless them, they even had a charging station for my… well, not a Tesla, but still. Good on ya, Imabari!). Taxi service is readily available, though I'm a public transport kinda guy, so I rolled right up in my own private chariot. And the hotel itself? Well, from the outside, it's… functional. Modern, sure, but not exactly dripping in that “OMG, I’m in paradise!” vibe. More like “efficiently designed lodging.”
Now, here's the important bit, because I'm a sucker for inclusivity: Accessibility. This is where SuperHotel Imabari truly shines. They seem to get it. Elevator? Yup. Wheelchair accessibility throughout the common areas and, importantly, in the rooms? Absolutely. I’m not in a wheelchair myself, but I saw the design – wide hallways, accessible bathrooms, etc. – and it made me genuinely happy. Kudos, SuperHotel!
Checking In and Making Myself At Home (Services, Comfort & Convenience First!)
The check-in process? Smooth. They offer contactless check-in/out which is great for germophobes and, well, everyone nowadays really. The front desk is 24-hour, which is always a plus, especially when you're jet-lagged and craving a bowl of ramen at 3 AM (hypothetically speaking, of course).
My room! Here’s where things get interesting. On paper, it was a winner. Air conditioning, free Wi-Fi (and it actually worked!), a mini-bar, a comfy bed (extra long!), blackout curtains (YES!), and a decent-sized desk for my laptop workspace. Plus a room safe. The bathroom? Functional. Not luxurious, but clean, with a good shower and all the necessities. Complimentary tea and free bottled water are always welcome. The daily housekeeping was efficient.
The Flaws (Because No Place is Perfect, Right?)
Okay, let's get real. The room, though comfortable, felt a tad… sterile. Think… a very clean lab experiment. It lacked personality. A little bit of soul, you know? Maybe a quirky piece of artwork, or a plant that wasn't plastic. Something to make it feel less… standardized. I also wasn’t blown away with the room decorations (which were minimal). And the view from my window? Meh. Of the parking lot. But hey, I wasn't there for the view, I was there to explore Imabari!
Food, Glorious Food! (Dining, Drinking, and Snacking)
This is where SuperHotel Imabari truly shines. Breakfast? Oh, yes. The buffet was a delightful Japanese and Western mix, with Asian breakfast favorites and (gasp!) proper bacon. Coffee was plentiful, and the presentation was spot on. The restaurants were also good (though I didn’t get a chance to experience the Asian cuisine in restaurant). I appreciated the alternative meal arrangement; those with dietary needs can happily eat here. Though I did enjoy a salad in restaurant and some soup in restaurant on one occasion.
And the happy hour at the bar? Not to be missed! (Though the cocktails were a little on the sweet side for my taste). They had a poolside bar – which was delightful for relaxation.
The fact that I could order room service 24-hours was also a lifesaver at times, and the ability to get a bottle of water anytime was great.
Ways to Relax and Unwind (Spa, Gym, and Other Goodies)
Now, this is where SuperHotel Imabari really tried to impress. They had a fitness center and gym, and also offered massage, sauna, and a spa/sauna. There was also a swimming pool, and pool with view!
Look, I’m not going to lie. I’m a sucker for a good spa. I was excited to try the sauna, but my heart was set on the spa. And the spa was, well, let's just say it was… adequate! The steamroom wasn't as steamy as I like. The foot bath was nice.
Cleanliness and Safety: (Seriously, this is Important)
Right, in this post-pandemic world, this is a HUGE deal. I'm a hypochondriac so I’m always judging. And SuperHotel Imabari scores high marks here. Hand sanitizer everywhere. Daily disinfection in common areas. Staff trained in safety protocol. Rooms sanitized between stays. They really seem to be taking things seriously, and that made me feel secure. I also appreciated the individually wrapped food options at breakfast and the safe dining setup.
For the Kids (Or, if You're a Big Kid Like Me)
While I don't have kids, I saw this hotel was family/child-friendly with babysitting service, and facilities for them. Looks like it would be a good time!
The Verdict: Would I Go Back?
Overall, SuperHotel Imabari is a solid choice, especially if you value accessibility, cleanliness, and convenience. It's not the most glamorous hotel in the world, but it's a reliable one. The breakfast is fantastic, the staff are friendly (though not overly effusive), and the location is great for exploring the area. If you’re looking for a luxurious, instagrammable experience, maybe look elsewhere. But if you want a comfortable, safe, and convenient base for your Imabari adventures, then SuperHotel Imabari is definitely worth considering. I'm giving it a solid 7/10. I might be back… provided they put a quirky plant in the rooms. One can dream, right?
Escape to Paradise: Raarees Mist Resort, Munnar's Hidden GemOkay, buckle up, buttercups, because this is NOT your dry, corporate travel itinerary. This is me attempting to wrangle my brain into something resembling a schedule while desperately trying not to sound like a robot. Welcome to the SuperHotel Imabari, Japan, survival guide. And let's be honest, part of the fun of travel is the glorious mess of it all.
Day 1: Arrival & Mild Panic (and Ramen!)
- 14:00 (ish) - Arrival at SuperHotel Imabari. Maybe. Okay, so the flight was… well, let's just say I’m pretty sure I saw a squirrel wearing a tiny pilot's hat on the runway. The plane was bumpy. Really bumpy. I’m just thankful to be on the ground now. The hotel lobby? Spotless. Almost too spotless. It's giving me anxiety. Trying to navigate the automatic check-in kiosk. Pretty sure I entered my DOB as "19-Mumble-Mumble." Praying to the travel gods that it works. (It did! Praise be!) My room is tiny. I love it. Tiny rooms are the best, especially after a long flight of being confined in a metal tube.
- 15:00 - Room Debrief & Mini-Meltdown: Unpack the essentials (phone charger, emergency chocolate, and a small vial of sanity). The room is equipped with a heated toilet seat. I’ve died and gone to heaven. I spent a solid 10 minutes just… admiring it. Contemplating my life choices (mostly good ones, except for the questionable airport snack). I also discovered I’d forgotten to pack my travel toothbrush. This could be a disaster.
- 16:00 - Imabari Exploration (with a Side of Hangry): Time to venture out and actually do something. The guide book says "Imabari Castle." Sounds grand. I just hope they have food. Seriously. My stomach is currently staging a coup. Wandering the streets. The air is crisp and smells… clean! Like, actually clean. Not like the "clean" air back home, which usually smells vaguely of exhaust fumes and disappointment.
- 18:00 - The Ramen Revelation! Found a little hole-in-the-wall ramen place that looked promising. (Pro tip: never underestimate the charm of a place that doesn't have much English on the menu). Decided to be adventurous. Ordered the "Special Tonkotsu Ramen." Oh. My. God. This ramen… This ramen was a religious experience. The broth was a soul hug, the noodles were perfect, and I swear, I could hear the pork belly singing to me. I’m pretty sure I licked the bowl clean. No regrets. Zero. (Okay, maybe slight regret about spilling a little broth on my shirt, but minor details.)
- 20:00 - Back to the Hotel & Pre-Sleep Anxiety: Back at the hotel, feeling pleasantly stuffed and slightly overwhelmed. The automatic lighting in the hallways keeps turning on at exactly the moment I approach, making me feel like I’m living in a sci-fi movie. Debating whether I should attempt to use the onsen tomorrow… or maybe just stay safely in my room, curled up with my emergency chocolate stash. The answer is chocolate. Always chocolate.
Day 2: Onsen Adventure… and a Big, Fat Mistake…
- 07:00 - Breakfast Buffet and the Dreaded Rice: The hotel has a buffet. Free breakfast! This is going well. I'm thinking of taking up a new hobby. Eating. Everything is interesting. And good. The "rice" is the best. It's perfect. The eggs are great. The coffee is… adequate. Back to the room with chocolate.
- 09:00 - The Onsen… or Not? Okay, so, the onsen. The hotel's onsen. I psyched myself up all night. I read the rules. I practiced the etiquette. I even bought a tiny, adorable travel-sized shampoo bottle. I’m ready! Except… I actually looked in the mirror. I’m not quite ready. I'm scared, OK? I'm really scared. I'm just going to… maybe postpone this. Yes. Postpone. I'll think about it. Later. Much later. Maybe. (Spoiler alert: never happened.)
- 10:00 - Imabari Castle (Attempted): Okay, so the guidebooks were right about the castle. Pretty. Historically Significant. But the heat… the heat was ferocious. By the time I'd climbed a few steps (and I’m not even sure how many steps), I was drenched in sweat and seriously considering giving up sightseeing altogether and just finding a nice, air-conditioned room to nap in.
- 12:00 - The Big, Fat Mistake (and the Redemption of Yakitori): I got cocky. I got adventurous. I decided to try a local food stall. The sign said "Specialty: Motsunabe." What the hell is Motsunabe? Turns out, it's… offal hot pot. Let's just say, it involved things that I usually have no desire to even consider ingesting. I ate a bite. A very tiny bite. Let's just say, it's not for everyone. The rest went into the bin, which is just a short walk to the nearest yakitori restaurant. So, I was able to find food to my tastes. The chicken itself was spectacular. But my soul almost didn't survive the day.
- 14:00 - Retail Therapy & Existential Dread: Decided retail therapy was the only cure for the Motsunabe misadventure. Found a cute little shop selling… everything. Spent way too much money on a cat-shaped chopstick rest. (No regrets. See a trend here?). Wandering around in what I thought was a blissful shopping experience. I then became overwhelmed. Is this all there is? Is this all I'm going to do?
- 18:00 - The Ramen Revival (again!): Back at the ramen place. I couldn’t resist. This time, ordering the “Extra Spicy Miso Ramen.” (I realize, I may have a problem.) The broth was perfect. The noodles were perfect. The spice was… well, let's just say my face is currently radiating heat. Still. No regrets. (Maybe a few.)
- 20:00 - Hotel Room Karaoke (Imaginary): Back in my room. Exhausted, happy, and already planning my next ramen adventure. (I'm thinking of moving in.) Contemplating the hotel's karaoke machine, but chickened out. Instead, I'm singing along to the Spice Girls in the shower. (Don't judge.)
Day 3: Departure & Reluctant Goodbye (and the Quest for the Perfect Coffee)
- 07:00 - Scavenging for the Perfect Coffee: The hotel coffee wasn't cutting it. So I did the only logical thing - I went on a quest! Finding a decent coffee shop in Japan is like finding gold. I wandered until I found… a tiny, independent coffee shop. Perfect. And I am happy.
- 09:00 - Packing & the Sad Goodbye to the Heated Toilet Seat: Time to cram everything back into my (slightly) oversized suitcase. Trying to decide if I can secretly smuggle the heated toilet seat back home. (Probably not.) Saying goodbye to my tiny room. It's been a good run.
- 10:00 - Last-Minute Souvenir Shopping: One last dash for souvenirs. Because you can never have too many cat-shaped chopstick rests, or bottles of local vinegar.
- 11:00 - Check Out & the Final Ramen Thought: Checking out of the hotel. Goodbye, SuperHotel Imabari! I'll be back. Especially for the ramen. And the heated toilet seats.
- 12:00 - Departure: Heading to the nearest train, clutching my emergency chocolate and nursing a minor, lingering ramen hangover. Japan, you've been weird, wonderful, and filled with more ramen than I ever thought possible. Until next time… (and I mean it!)
This itinerary isn't perfect. It's probably messy. It's filled with my anxieties, my food obsessions, and my complete lack of grace. But that’s the honest truth of a trip like this. And that's the fun of it. Don't be afraid to make a mess. Embrace the awkward moments. And for the love of all that is holy, find the best ramen in town. You won't regret it. And if you find a good onsen? Let me know. Maybe I'll be brave enough to try it next time.
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