Grand Mercure Lake Biwa Resort & Spa

The hotel is about 800 meters from JR Nagahama Station. As I missed the last shuttle bus on arrival, I ended up dragging my luggage and navigating for at least 15 minutes. On the way back, I was familiar with the route and it took less than 10 minutes with luggage. The next day, I took the Chikubushima ferry, and Nagahama Port is also not far from the hotel, reachable within a 10-minute walk. It's very close to Lake Biwa, just seconds away, and the sunsets are absolutely stunning. Due to my early-to-bed, early-to-rise itinerary, I didn't book breakfast or dinner. From 3-6 PM, there are complimentary drinks and snacks, and from 9-11 PM, various alcoholic beverages and snacks are offered. Recreational facilities include table tennis. The public bath was also quite clean. The ventilation in the room's toilet wasn't great, and the drain smell was tolerable. It seemed there were many families with children staying over the weekend, so the soundproofing might not be ideal; I could clearly hear children making noise in the hallway from my room. On the first night, I was knocked on the door twice in the middle of the night... After reporting it to the front desk, the hotel stated it wasn't done by staff. It made me feel a bit uneasy, especially traveling alone.

I really love the Grand Mercure brand; I try to stay at one whenever I visit Japan. They offer great value for money, with afternoon tea, late-night snacks, and extensive breakfast and dinner buffets. The on-site hot spring (onsen) is also incredibly relaxing. This particular hotel is located right by Lake Biwa. After exiting the JR station, you just walk towards Nagahama Castle, cut through the park, and you're there. It was so pleasant to enjoy afternoon tea, then take a stroll by the lake to watch the sunset.

Transportation: The hotel is right next to Changbin Station, very close, so there's no need for a shuttle. Room: The carpet in the room had a strange, foot-odor-like smell, as if something had been spilled on it. However, the bed faced a scenic window, which was quite nice, though the curtains weren't blackout. Hot Springs: The outdoor hot springs weren't particularly clean. My friend, who has allergies (but usually doesn't react to topical exposure), had an allergic reaction after using them. Entertainment: There's a game room with activities like table tennis, which doesn't require reservations. You can just go in when it's empty, which is pretty good. Food: The breakfast and dinner were fantastic, no complaints there. The restaurant also had a great view, and I even saw a rainbow in the morning. The snacks were good too.

This is a fantastic, large resort hotel with beautiful views. Although it's an older property, the facilities are very well-maintained and updated. The air conditioning is quiet and comfortable, and the large public bath is excellent. In the afternoon, there's a complimentary happy hour for all guests with a great selection of alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, and snacks. The food is definitely the highlight; even though the restaurant is huge and serves hundreds of people at once, the dishes are still of very high quality and there's a wide variety to choose from. Plus, it's not far from the station and there are many great izakayas nearby.

Nagahama City is as beautiful as ever. The hotel once again provided my family and me with a wonderfully relaxing atmosphere after a busy year. It's also worth noting that Professor Shimon Sakaguchi of Osaka University, a new Nobel laureate from last year, is also a native of Nagahama City.