RENEST

Last time we used this facility we had a day barbecue. This time we stayed overnight. We have a lot of children in our group, so it's great to be able to rent a whole house. holidayhome4 is very spacious and comfortable for 15 people. The views from this property are also fantastic. There are also two sheep and a rabbit, which were not there last time, so it's like being on a farm, which is a lot of fun. The local staff are friendly. However, they do not seem to have the authority to deal with problems when they arise. No matter what we asked them, they were always the same: we can't do it, we don't know. In fact, we had a problem when booking - we booked through the official Renest website, and it was not clear from the information on the site that children under two years old are free. The information on the website is very complicated. The friend who booked the room for us entered the number of people staying in the room, including babies under 2 years old. After the booking and payment had been made, we thought it was strange that even a newborn baby would be charged for the stay, so we called the lodge to check about the price. We then learnt that under-twos were free. However, the local staff said there was nothing they could do. We emailed the head office to inform them about this typing error, but they have not replied and so far no refund has been given. The head office is located overseas, so it seems that it is not easy to contact them. We hope that Renest's head office will be honest in their dealings with us! Because it really is a lovely place and we would like to visit it again. When you travel, one of the things you look forward to is mealtime. Sukiyaki is two thinly sliced pieces of beef. (You would finish it in an instant.) There were only a few vegetables and a lot of water from the tofu. The meal was disappointing, with higher prices and smaller portions than last time. We went to town to buy more food, as we had conveniently come in our own car. By the way... there are things you can buy at the lodge! This is convenient. There is no information on the website, so here's a reference for you! -wood, 1500 yen per set. (There is a fireplace in the room, one set is not enough, you may need 4-5 sets for one night). -Wine, 2200 yen per bottle. (You can also borrow glasses!) -Water, 500 ml, 150 yen. -Rice, cup noodles (I forget the price. I think it was about 300 yen.) Next time we want to spend great time in this beautiful lodge again!!

The Stay: The stay at Renest was very interesting for me and my family. The unit is clean and the toilets and bathroom are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, with all toiletries provided. We were welcomed with a cup of hot chocolate and bbq-ed marshmallows, and a wonderful sukiyaki dinner. Though the front office does have instant noodles, wines etc for sale, suggest to get your necessities and groceries before heading up as the only convenience store en route is very small and limited. Within the compound: It's a very nice and cosy place where you can find a swing, couple of sheep and also try your hand at chopping wood for that nolstagic feel. Kind of a back-to-basics (but yet not so basic) experience. Wonderful concept and admirable spirit to build up this place. They are also constructing a suana room with more shower facilities, which is something to look forward to! Getting Around: As it's located at the mountain top, it's not so accessible and easy to get your way around unless you engage their transport (and driver). I think the management might wish to look into providing more affordable transport options eg numerous hotels and resorts around the world do provide free shuttle services to ensure their guests can get around.