I was excited to stay at this hotel after reading the good reviews about experiencing a true traditional japanese accommodation. However upon arrival, I noticed immediately that the hotel is NOT so new. The floral decor and old carpeting were the first indication. After checking into our room, I noticed a stale smell in our room and opened the window, but just made it muggier. The room is nice, loved the tatami floors, however the bathroom only fits one person at a time and appliances are old. I thought the chairs in the room were old too and needed to be replaced. Perhaps it was the faded cushions that gave it away.

We took a walk around the property (the garden area) and noticed that it's run down as if no one took care of it anymore. I imagine that the New Akao must've been the place to be 40yrs ago, but not in 2010. I felt like I was walking through a creepy hotel waiting for a geisha ghost to pop out and scare me.

Unfortunately I didn't try the onsen, but I heard great reviews from the people on my tour. Internet is not available in the room (the place is OLD) but it is avail on on the lobby floor. I would not stay here again...I'll find another hotel that offers traditional japanese accommodations where the hotel isn't so dated.

This hotel is definitely older and the decor is a strange mix of traditional Japanese and western, but this is a great place to stay!!!! If you are looking for a luxury hotel, this is not the place for you. What this place does have going for it is the incredible view! The hotel itself extends into the ocean and every room has a gorgeous view. The staff here is also incredibly friendly and polite. This hotel also has a lot to do. There is a bar, traditional Japanese Restaurant, Hot Springs, gaming arcade, shops, and a beautiful garden. I would definately stay here again

It's an nice experience to stay in this hotel. Its room is of traditional japanese-style with tatami floor. The room that we stayed has a very beautiful ocean view. You can even watch sunrise if you can get up early in the morning. I like this hotel with its hot spring bathes, its quiet surroundings, its garden. The whole place is so scenic !

Well I have mixed feelings about this hotel. It was my first experience at a Onsen Hotel so I was excited by this prospect however there are some very strange things you need to know about this hotel.

Firstly you are greated by very friendly staff who quickly take your bags and check you in, which is great. However, as you will notice the decor looks like it has been plucked right out of a itallian or parisian hotel. The Room was nice, however it was a little run down.

We were with a tour group so we were told we would have dinner and entertainment the night we were staying. So I got all excited by the prospect of Traditional food and entertainment. WRONG! We were shown the dining room which was HUGE and it looked liked the Moulin Rouge. Then the "Entertainment" came out. They were are New Zealand Dance Group, who sang Las Vegas Show tunes and even some in Japanese. The Food was nice, but not traditional. It is all very very surreal.

Even thought the place is nice. May I suggest staying somewhere else than Atami there are many nicer Onsen Resorts in Japan that are very traditional.