The oldest hotel in the world
With a staggering 1,300 years of history, Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan has been certified as the oldest hotel in the world by the Guinness Book of World Records. It’s a gorgeous traditional Japanese inn with a nearly unfathomable legacy. The hotel is nestled into the serene natural landscape of Yamanashi Prefecture and offers access to a range of natural attractions in the surrounding region. While the stunning landscape and impeccable amenities certainly contribute to the hotel’s incredible longevity, you’ll also discover that the staff’s friendliness and omotenashi—the Japanese spirit of hospitality. The inn also has six different mineral baths, The abundant hot springs that have flowed for more than thirteen centuries have earned the hotel its reputation among elite classes and commoners alike. There are a total of 35 guest rooms available, in various sizes. The rooms have views of the surrounding mountains, the nearby Haya River, and the Hayakawa and Yukawa Valleys. Some have private open-air hot springs, so you can relax in utmost privacy. Wooden interiors, tatami mats, shoji screens, and other aesthetic touches make the accommodations a quintessential experience of traditional Japanese architecture.
The waters contain elements such as sodium, calcium nitrates, and chloride, which are believed to be beneficial for gastrointestinal ailments and muscle pain, as well as beautifying the skin. With indoor and outdoor bath options, you can enjoy the tranquility of the natural panorama that enfolds the hotel while breathing a sigh of contentment. Ensconced by mountains, this land is home to a variety of wild animals, such as the Japanese serow and the Asian black bear. The abundant natural scenery of the area can be experienced at local sites like the legendary Kenshin Falls, a 55-meter-tall waterfall, and Hagoromo Shiraito Falls, partially named after the appearance of its water that resembles white silk (shiraito). Staff members in traditional kimonos greet travelers, escorting everyone to the lobby. They give guests slippers with their names pre-written on a piece of paper next to them. No shoes are allowed beyond this point. Nature isn’t just outside. When guests return to their rooms after eating, they discover that their accommodation has been transformed. The living room is now a bedroom with fluffy futons laid on the floor. No detail is overlooked: the pillow is placed in the perfect position for the best view of the morning forest as guests slowly open their eyes after a deep sleep.
Challenges to keeping the ryokan’s traditions alive while also making adjustments for a new wave of travelers, many of whom are from outside of Japan. There are now staff members who can speak different languages, including English. Kawano says that many other hotels adjusted to modern times by allowing shoes inside the facility and adding beds to the rooms, but that was an adjustment he wasn’t willing to make. Instead, he had futons custom-made in larger sizes to accommodate the new clientele of Western guests, who tend to be taller than their Japanese customers. “We want to make sure that our guests experience the authenticity of tradition we have protected over the years.
Room Service sillies
Trying to give better and personalized service at our hotel we would look at the visitor’s credit card and try to address them by name reading the credit card. One Sunday night we had a bunch coming in and the girl took the card got the last name and said, “Ok, Mr. Bell, your room will be on the second floor.” The visitor interrupted and asked, “Oh please, call me Taco.”
As I sat there naked in George Clooney’s hotel room, I thought to myself.
I might have accidentally picked up my wife’s bucket list instead of mine.
Why couldn’t Joseph and Mary get a hotel room in Bethlehem?
Hotels are always busy around Christmas.
The hotel we were staying had towels that were so big and fluffy that you could hardly close your suitcase.
October 7th Birthdays
1986 – Holland Roden, 1974 – Allison Munn, 1997 – Kira Kosarin, 1991 – Ayla Kell
1955 – Yo Yo Ma, 1959 – Simon Cowell, 1953 – Vlad Putin, 1943 – Ollie North