Uncover Takamatsu's Hidden Gem: Dormy Inn's Unexpected Luxury!
Uncover Takamatsu's Hidden Gem: Dormy Inn's Unexpected Luxury! (Rambling Review Edition)
Okay, folks, buckle up, because I'm about to spill the tea (or, more accurately, the delicious buffet breakfast tea) on the Dormy Inn Takamatsu, and let me tell you, it's not your average hotel review. Forget polished prose and perfectly structured sentences. This is the raw, unfiltered, slightly-obsessive-because-I-loved-it truth.
First things first: Accessibility is pretty darn good. I saw elevators, ramps, and it seemed like they really had folks with disabilities in mind. Bless 'em. The thought of navigating a Japanese city with mobility issues gives me hives, so points off for not being able to personally test it, but overall, it looked promising.
The Good Stuff - And By Good, I Mean REALLY Good:
Let's get right to the crown jewel: THE ON-SITE ONSEN. This is where I lost all sense of time and reality. After a long day of exploring, I waddled in there, all tired feet and grumbling stomach, and emerged… different. Seriously. Reborn. The hot springs are divine. There's an outdoor pool with a view, yes, but the onsen itself? Pure zen. You can choose from a sauna or steamroom, and I'm pretty sure I spent an hour in each. Honestly, I feel like I have a better sense of my well-being and better skin now.
Fitness Center? Yep, it's there. Gym/fitness? Check. I, uh, looked at it. I swear I saw a treadmill. Didn't use it. My workout for the trip was walking to the buffet. Zero shame.
Food, Glorious Food (And the Stuff That Makes It Great): Okay, the food situation at Dormy Inn is, in a word, remarkable. Let's start with the breakfast buffet. Asian AND Western options? Yes, freaking please! The little Japanese breakfast items and the fresh pastries…my mouth is watering just thinking about it. I'm pretty sure I ate enough to feed a small army. And the coffee/tea in restaurant situation? On point. Like, seriously, they know their coffee. And a Vegetarian restaurant option? Nice. They were also very accommodating with alternative meal arrangements. Even got a breakfast takeaway service, which was AMAZING on the day I had to catch a train early. The salad in restaurant was fresh and tasty, although my primary focus was the bacon. The Asian cuisine in restaurant was delicious.
They also had a little bar (with happy hour!) and a snack bar. While I didn't dive into the A la carte in restaurant or the desserts in restaurant, they looked tempting. And 24-hour room service? Game changer. Although, I mostly just raided the nearby convenience store for late-night snacks.
Cleanliness and Safety - Because We Care:
This is huge right now. I'm a total germaphobe (don't judge!), and Dormy Inn shined. They've got Hygiene certification and are clearly serious about cleanliness. I saw hand sanitizer everywhere. Daily disinfection in common areas? Check. Rooms sanitized between stays? Absolutely. Staff trained in safety protocol? Yep. And the best part? You can opt-out of room sanitization if you are staying longer. I didn't opt-out. Didn't even remotely think about it! Also, they use Anti-viral cleaning products. Feeling safe is priceless. There were even First aid kit ready at hand.
The Room: My Tiny Oasis (With So Many Perks!)
Okay, the rooms aren't HUGE, but they're perfectly designed. My room had everything I could possibly need. A complimentary tea selection (essential!), free bottled water, a refrigerator for my snacks (priorities!), and a coffee/tea maker for early morning caffeine fixes. Air conditioning? Obviously. Blackout curtains? Yes, please! Free Wi-Fi? Absolutely, and it worked perfectly. Internet access – wireless? Indeed. My tiny space also managed to squeeze in an in-room safe box to keep your passport secure.
Little Details That Make a Difference:
- Air conditioning in public area: very useful in the warmer summer months, let me tell you.
- Desk: Very necessary for laptop work.
- Alarm clock: Helps you get to that buffet on time!
- Bathtub and Separate shower/bathtub: You'll be grateful after a day of exploring.
- Bathrobes and Slippers: the ultimate in hotel comfort.
- Daily housekeeping: So my room didn't look like a bomb had gone off.
- Interconnecting rooms are available: great for families.
- Ironing facilities and Ironing service: because you need to look as good as you feel.
- On-demand movies: Perfect for a night in after a long day of sightseeing.
- Scale: Be brave.
- Smoke detector: Safety first!
- Sofa: Nice place to relax.
- Telephone: You can call room service, or your mom!
- Toiletries: All the essentials.
- Umbrella: So you won't get caught flat-footed in the rain.
- Wake-up service: Seriously, get up for the buffet!
- Window that opens: Fresh air always helps.
Things to Do (Besides Stuffing Your Face and Soaking in Hot Water):
Takamatsu is lovely, and the Dormy Inn is a great base for exploring. Car park? Yes, plenty of space! Bicycle parking? Yep. The hotel had a gift/souvenir shop (I may or may not have bought a ridiculously cute Hello Kitty keychain). They also have a laundry service. There's a shrine nearby, and the hotel has a terrace for chilling. I did a little bit of taking advantage of the luggage storage because, lets be honest, I am a terrible packer.
Okay, the Not-So-Perfect Bits (Because I'm Honest):
- No pets allowed. Sadly, my travel companion, Mr. Fluffernutter the chinchilla, was not invited on this trip.
- The rooms are compact. But honestly, I didn't care. The bed was comfy, the bathroom was great, and I was hardly in the room anyway.
- Okay, I did wish I'd had a chance to try a Body scrub and a Body wrap.
Overall, Should You Go? (HECK YES!)
Look, I'm not exaggerating. The Dormy Inn Takamatsu is a winner. It's comfortable, convenient, and the onsen is worth the price of admission alone. The staff were incredibly nice and helpful (even with my terrible Japanese). The hotel is a great value in terms of services. If you're visiting Takamatsu, book this hotel. Seriously. Go. Enjoy. And tell them I sent you (they probably won't care, but hey, a girl can dream).
Here's My Imperfect, But Heartfelt, Offer to You:
Tired of the Same Old Hotel Routine? Escape to Dormy Inn Takamatsu!
- Indulge in Unforgettable Relaxation: Soak your cares away in the on-site onsen, sauna, and steamroom – pure bliss!
- Fuel Your Adventures with a Foodie Paradise: Wake up to a breakfast buffet so amazing, it'll make you want to stay all day!
- Stay Connected with Ease: Enjoy free Wi-Fi, LAN, and internet services in all areas of the Hotel.
- Experience Ultimate Convenience: From 24-hour room service to a handy convenience store, everything you need is right at your fingertips.
- Discover Takamatsu in Comfort: Explore the city knowing you have a comfortable and convenient base to return to.
Book your stay at Dormy Inn Takamatsu now and experience the unexpected luxury that awaits! Don't miss out on this hidden gem!
Click here, or click here, or maybe even here to book now!
Escape to Paradise: Hotel Villa Delle Rose, Italy Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups. This isn't your sterile, perfectly-planned itinerary. This is my attempt at surviving – nay, thriving – in Takamatsu, Japan, centered around the holy grail of budget travel: the Dormy Inn. Prepare for a rollercoaster… of mildly inconvenient emotions.
Dormy Inn Takamatsu: A Semi-Precise (and Probably Disastrous) Schedule
(Note: "Roughly" is my operative word. Japanese punctuality? I'll try. My inherent tendency to wander aimlessly? We'll see.)
Day 1: Arrival & Ramen-Fueled Expectations (and a Sprinkle of Jet Lag)
- Roughly 14:00 (2 PM): Arrive at Takamatsu Airport (TAK). Pray the flight isn't delayed again (curse you, Norwegian Air!). Immigration… fingers crossed I look less like a sleep-deprived zombie this time. Find the limousine bus. Okay, now I feel like I'm actually in Japan. The scenery whizzing by… rice paddies, little houses… almost instant peace until someone coughs in my general direction.
- Roughly 15:00 (3 PM): Arrive at JR Takamatsu Station, then walk to the Dormy Inn. It looks amazing online. Hopefully, the reality lives up to the hyped-up images. Check-in. Try not to accidentally bow too low and weird everyone out. Language barrier: Level - EXPERT. Prepare to mime profusely.
- Roughly 16:00 (4 PM): Room Unpacking & Orientation. Does the tiny toilet have a heated seat? (It does. Japan. You win again.) Immediately fall in love/hate with the ridiculously efficient organization of everything. Realize I packed… too many socks. And not enough snacks.
- Roughly 17:00 (5 PM): Ramen Reconnaissance. Tonight, it's all about finding the perfect Takamatsu ramen. Wander the nearby streets. Get utterly lost. Ask a kindly (and judgingly polite) elderly woman for directions. End up at a place called… Ramen Ichiban. The smell? Glorious. The broth? Heart-stoppingly delicious. (RANT ALERT!) Why can't we get ramen this good back home!? The noodles… the pork… the egg. It was a religious experience. I almost cried from joy… and jet lag. I ordered a side of gyoza. I think I may be in love.
- Roughly 18:00 - 19:00 (6-7 PM): Back to the Dormy Inn, and exploring the hotel! The free ramen (midnight snack!) is an important bonus. But the onsen… The public bath is what I'm most excited about - and nervous about. I'm already anxious about being naked in public so I'm going to go, and embrace it.
- Roughly 21:00 (9 PM): The free ramen, plus other snacks (dorayaki, anyone?). Crash. Unceremoniously. Sleep like a rock, despite the lingering jet lag.
- Late Night (10-11 PM): If I'm awake during the free ramen service, I may grab one; if not, I'll get one the next day.
Day 2: Shrine Shenanigans & Island Adventures (and maybe a minor existential crisis)
- Roughly 07:00-08:00 (7-8 AM): Wake up (ish). Attempt to conquer the breakfast buffet. The Japanese breakfast options are fascinating. I need to try everything… at least once. So many small dishes. So much rice. So little self-control.
- Roughly 09:00 (9 AM): Visit Ritsurin Garden. The Lonely Planet raved about this place. Expectation: high. Reality: a beautiful, meticulously manicured oasis. The little bridges. The serene ponds. The sheer perfection of it all… made me feel ridiculously clumsy. Kept nearly stepping on impeccably placed pebbles. It was a beautiful escape from the city's stress.
- Roughly 11:00 (11 AM): Ferry to Megijima (Island) - the "Island of Ogres". Yeah. Sign me up! Should be fun, I mean it's a ferry ride. Getting off and wandering the streets, the wind, the sounds… It's great.
- Roughly 12:00 (12 PM): Arriving at the ferry port. More walking, finding some food and the Ogre Cave.
- Roughly 13:00 (1 PM): More island adventure, get lost with the locals, and some food.
- Roughly 15:00 (3 PM): Back to Takamatsu. Take a nap.
- Roughly 17:00 (5 PM): Second ramen run - can't resist. Try a different place, hopefully without getting utterly lost this time. Maybe learn to say, "Where is the ramen shop?" in Japanese. "Ramen wa doko desu ka?" Yeah, still mangling the language.
- Roughly 19:00 (7 PM): Onsen time! Again. Embrace the naked awkwardness. Relax. Think deep, philosophical thoughts about… the perfect temperature of the bathwater. And world peace.
- Late Night (10-11 PM): Free ramen. (Maybe two bowls this time… don't judge.) Stare out the window. Contemplate my life choices.
Day 3: Art, Udonga-Mania, & Departure (and the looming threat of post-trip blues)
- Roughly 07:00-08:00 (7-8 AM): Breakfast. Embrace the weird. Attempt to eat natto (fermented soybeans.) Success… or slight gagging? The jury's still out.
- Roughly 09:00 (9 AM): Check out, store luggage.
- Roughly 10:00-12:00 (10 AM-12 PM): Visit the Takamatsu Marugame Genichiro-Inokuma Museum of Contemporary Art (MIMOCA). A museum's a museum, right? Wrong. The art's fascinating. The building is stunning. I find myself inexplicably drawn to a giant red sculpture. I have no idea why. Spend a good deal of time contemplating the power of art to make me feel completely inadequate.
- Roughly 12:00 (12 PM): Udon time! This is Sanuki udon country, after all. Go on a udon tour! Find the best udon place within 5 minutes from the museum. Order EVERYTHING. Eat. Repeat. Start feeling slightly udon-ed out.
- Roughly 14:00 (2 PM): Last-minute souvenir shopping. Panic-buy everything. Realize I'm going to need a bigger suitcase.
- Roughly 15:00 (3 PM): Pick up luggage. Say a fond (and slightly tearful) goodbye to the Dormy Inn. Thank the free ramen gods.
- Roughly 16:00 (4 PM): Head to Takamatsu Airport (TAK). Reflect on the past few days. Feel a pang of sadness at leaving… and a wave of relief at the prospect of a proper bed.
- Roughly 18:00 (6 PM): Fly home. Already planning my return.
- Post-Trip: Spend the next few weeks regaling everyone with tales of ramen, onsen, and the bizarre beauty of Japanese toilets. Start saving up for my next trip. (Maybe.)
Dormy Inn Takamatsu: The Hidden Gem? Or Just... Really Good Onsen? Let's Unpack This. (Brace Yourselves...)
Okay, seriously... Is Dormy Inn Takamatsu *really* "unexpected luxury" or is that marketing fluff? I'm on a budget, you know?
Look, let's be honest. Luxury? In Takamatsu? My expectations were about as high as a pigeon's... well, you get the picture. I was picturing a slightly above-average business hotel, probably with those sad little instant coffee packets. Boy, was I wrong. "Unexpected" is probably the keyword. It's not like a Four Seasons or anything. But the onsen? That's where the magic happened. And the *free ramen* at night? Pure genius. I'd say it's luxury *for the price*. You'll feel pampered without having to sell a kidney to pay for it. My wallet actually *thanked* me. It's a win-win!
The onsen... Tell me more. What's the big deal? I've seen onsen before.
Alright, alright, the onsen. This is where I got seriously hooked. I'm a bit of a bath snob, I admit it. And this…this was *good*. Now, I'm not gonna pretend I know the exact mineral composition of the water or whatever. All I know is that after a day of wandering around Ritsurin Garden in the humid heat, slipping into that hot, steamy water felt like my muscles were finally allowed to relax… and then melt. They have indoor and outdoor baths! The outdoor one, you’d be looking up at the sky while soaking, pure bliss. It's a ritual, you know? You scrub, you soak, you sigh contentedly... Then, (and this is important) you grab a *free* ice cream bar (seriously, they just hand them out!). This part... this is where the magic *really* happens. It’s practically mandatory. Pro-tip: Go early. Like, before the crowds. Then you’ll have the place mostly to yourself and can fully embrace the zen. Or at least, attempt to. My thoughts always eventually lead to thinking about what I want for dinner.
What about breakfast? Is it worth it? I'm a cheapskate when it comes to hotel breakfasts.
Okay, here's the deal. Breakfast at Dormy Inn is... a *thing*. It's not just a continental breakfast with stale croissants. It’s a full-blown, Japanese-Western buffet situation. I’m talking everything from miso soup to sausages, with a whole bunch of stuff I couldn’t name but happily shoveled into my face. I'm personally a huge fan of the Japanese breakfast. The grilled fish? The pickles? (Don't knock 'em till you try them!) It’s the perfect way to fuel up for a day of exploring Takamatsu. Honestly, I think it’s probably worth it, just for the sheer variety. Plus, you know, you're on vacation. Treat yourself! (Even if your wallet is whispering sweet nothings of regret.) Side note: They had this weird thing that looked like a mini-omelet. Don't ask me what it was, but I ate three. No regrets.
This free ramen you mentioned... tell me everything! Is it any good? Are the lines long?
Oh, the ramen. This is the stuff of legends (or at least, my personal legend). It's served late at night, after the onsen, which, honestly, is pure genius. You're already relaxed and slightly dehydrated, craving something warm and savory... It feels *amazing*. The ramen itself is pretty darn good! Nothing Michelin-star worthy, but totally satisfying. The broth is flavorful, the noodles are cooked just right, and it's the perfect late-night snack before passing out in your comfy bed. (I may or may not have gone back for seconds one night... Don't judge me!) The lines: They can get a little long, especially after the evening onsen rush. But hey, patience is a virtue, right? Plus, it gives you more time to mentally prepare for the gloriousness that awaits. Worth the wait, believe me. Confession: One night, I got there a bit late and they were *out* of the good toppings. I was devastated. Truly. Learn from my mistakes, people! Go early!
What's the location like? Is it easy to get around?
The location is pretty ideal, actually. It's within walking distance of Takamatsu Station, which makes arriving and departing a breeze. Plus, it's close to the ferry terminal to get to the art islands, so extra points there! Takamatsu itself is a very walkable city. I spent most of my time exploring on foot, and found the hotel to be a great base for my adventures. Buses are available too, but I enjoy walking, you know? However… I did manage to get myself *slightly* lost one evening trying to find a specific ramen shop. That's on me, though. Don't let my questionable navigational skills put you off. Bring a map. Or, you know, just ask someone for help.
Any downsides? 'Cause nothing's perfect.
Okay, okay, here's the brutally honest truth. Yes, there are a few potential minor drawbacks. Firstly, the rooms aren't enormous. They're perfectly functional, clean, and well-equipped, but don't expect a sprawling suite. You'll probably be fine, but you may need to organize your luggage a bit. Secondly, the onsen can get crowded. As I said, go early! Or be prepared to embrace your fellow bathers. Finally, getting used to using those Japanese toilets with all the buttons might take a little getting used to. But hey, it's a learning experience, right? *Disclaimer* : I also found the pillows *slightly* too firm for my liking. But, that's a personal thing. I’m very picky about pillows.
Would you go back? Overall, is it worth it?
Listen, if you haven't already figured this out: *Hell yes, I would go back!* I’m already planning my return. The onsen is calling my name, the ramen whispers sweet nothings into my ear, and the memory of that ice cream bar still brings a smile to my face. For the price, the location, and the overall experience, Dormy Inn Takamatsu is a winner. It's not perfect, but it's honestly pretty darn close. Go! You won't regret it. (And if you do, don't blame me!)
