Spa Hotel Alpina Hida Takayama

The hotel's signature feature is its exceptional rooftop onsen, offering a relaxing experience with views that make it a memorable stay, particularly appealing to sightseers and couples seeking a tranquil escape after exploring the city. Its prime location near the station and main attractions also makes it an ideal choice for solo travelers and business travelers who value convenience. Guests consistently praise the hotel's overall cleanliness and the helpfulness of its staff. While most rooms are comfortable, some guests note the beds can be firm. To enhance your stay, consider utilizing the diverse pillow selection available in the lobby and be prepared for potentially compact room sizes, especially if traveling with large luggage.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel offers a highly praised rooftop onsen with both indoor and outdoor bathing areas, including unique tsubo-yu (individual pot baths) and ne-yu (lying baths), providing a truly relaxing experience. Guests appreciate the thoughtful touches in the rooms, such as air purifiers and ionizers, charging cables, and magnetic room information cards. The lobby provides complimentary coffee and green tea, adding to guest comfort. While there is no mention of a fitness center, the hotel does offer free Wi-Fi throughout, ensuring connectivity. Additionally, ice machines and vending machines are available for guest convenience. A notable feature is the pillow selection bar in the lobby, allowing guests to choose a pillow that best suits their comfort preferences.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests generally find the rooms to be exceptionally clean and well-maintained, contributing to a pleasant stay. The beds receive mixed feedback; while some guests find them comfortable, many describe them as quite firm, though the availability of a pillow selection in the lobby helps address individual preferences. Room size is often noted as compact, especially for two people or those with large luggage, but is generally considered adequate for solo travelers. Some guests have reported issues with the bathroom, describing it as small, occasionally having an unpleasant odor, or featuring a shared tap for the sink and shower. Noise levels are typically low, with rooms being described as quiet, though a few guests have noted occasional air conditioning noise or sounds from the corridor.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel's breakfast receives positive feedback, offering a buffet style with a good mix of Japanese and Western options. Many guests particularly praise the quality and variety of the breads, including delicious croissants and French toast. The Japanese selections, such as local specialties and traditional dishes, are also well-regarded. While most find the breakfast satisfying, some guests have noted that the variety can be limited or that certain hot food items, like scrambled eggs, were not kept sufficiently warm. Despite these minor points, the overall consensus is that the breakfast provides a good start to the day, with many appreciating the quality of the coffee served.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel boasts an excellent central location, making it highly convenient for exploring the area. It is just a few minutes' walk from the Takayama train station and bus station, facilitating easy arrival and departure. Guests appreciate its close proximity to the old town, morning market, and numerous tourist attractions, all within comfortable walking distance. A convenience store is located right around the corner, providing easy access to necessities. Parking is available on-site, with both flat-rate and covered options, and guests particularly value the ability to utilize the parking facility before check-in and after check-out for extended sightseeing.

Staff & Service
The staff consistently receives high praise for their friendliness, helpfulness, and polite demeanor. Guests frequently highlight their attentiveness and willingness to assist with various requests, from providing local restaurant recommendations to helping with luggage transportation issues. The check-in process is generally described as quick and efficient. While some guests noted minor language barriers with English, many found staff resourceful, with some even speaking Spanish, which facilitated communication. The overall impression is that the staff are dedicated to providing excellent service, contributing significantly to a positive guest experience.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware of specific aspects related to the hotel's onsen facilities. While the outdoor bath offers scenic views, the glass railing on the women's side is blurred for privacy, which some guests felt diminished the view. There were also isolated comments about moss between tiles in the outdoor bath area. For guests with tattoos, it's important to note that the onsen may not be accessible, as is common in Japan. The hotel offers a thoughtful umbrella lending service, which is particularly useful given the local weather. For those traveling by motorcycle, the hotel provides covered parking, a highly appreciated amenity.