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Garden Terrace Miyazaki
Add: 247-18 Shimoharacho, Miyazaki, Miyazaki Prefecture
Tel: 0985-73-8888
Website: www.gt-miyazaki.co.jp
Price: 37,000~57,000 yen/night
Visited: Oct 2016
Please note that this was a complimentary stay arranged by the hotel.
Our last stop in Kyushu was Miyazaki, where we stayed at a most beautiful and serene hotel designed by famed Japanese architect Kengo Kuma. Located on the site of a former factory, Garden Terrace Miyazaki is sheltered by a timber canopy, and entering its bamboo premises automatically imbues one with a sense of tranquility. How did I find out about this low profile hotel, you ask? Well, a friend had stayed at Garden Terrace Nagasaki (also designed by Kengo Kuma) on a recent trip and really loved it, and after doing some research I found out that it has a sister hotel in Miyazaki, and decided to give it a try…
Upon entering the hotel, we were first left upstairs to the second floor lounge for check-in. This space also functions as a club lounge for hotel guests, with complimentary snacks, drinks, and a small library.
During the check-in process, we were served tea and presented with a selection of room fragrance. I chose one that’s pleasantly woody, and would soon find this fragrance inside the room we were staying at.
Going upstairs to the room. I love the simple design of the hotel, from the sharp lines of the architecture itself to the minimalistic signage.
Voila voila, the room. There are only 12 rooms at Garden Terrace Miyazaki, and we were staying at one of the Deluxe Suites (56 sqm), which is plenty of room for two people. The suite was so clean (both literally and in terms of design) that I automatically took off my shoes upon entering, as if I were at someone’s private home. There are also Standard Suites (40 sqm) and Japanese Room (40 sqm) at the hotel.
Minimalistic in all corners.
Complimentary tea and coffee.
The slippers, thick and soft, are one of the best hotel slippers I’ve slipped my feet in.
From our terrace, there’s an amazing view of the central courtyard and wedding chapel. The entire hotel is actually a single two-storey building, featuring bamboo-clad walls and a large sloping roof with overhanging eaves. Too bad there wasn’t a wedding going on during our stay, otherwise it would’ve been very fun to watch it happen from our terrace…
Into the bathroom.
With a spacious bathtub and an outdoor jacuzzi.
Toiletries from Bvlgari and Shiseido.
iPod dock, coffee, tea, plates and kitchen utensils.
The room fragrance I had chosen earlier is now in the room. A small but very personal touch.
Items in the minibar are complimentary as well.
After settling in our room, we explored the hotel. It’s a big space for not a lot of people (12 rooms only, as mentioned earlier) and the ambience is calm and tranquil, a lovely respite for those living in busy cities.
The central chapel is absolutely gorgeous – floor-to-ceiling windows all around, surrounded by bamboo trees. The staff was kind enough to even put on the mist effect for us to see what it looks like during wedding receptions.
We ended up exploring the small cafes and restaurants in Miyazaki instead of staying at the hotel for dinner, but Tikusai the teppanyaki restaurant is supposed to be very nice.
Just, love, these, signs.
The view of the chapel at night is quite beautiful too.
Waking up the next morning, it was almost impossible to get up from this comfy bed…
Breakfast, Western or Japanese-style, is served at the hotel restaurant “Forest”. I chose the Japanese breakfast, which comprised of the following: grilled fish, porridge (or rice), natto fermented beans, pickles, miso soup, a few side dishes, and tea.
Of course I also had to add on an order or white rice with a raw yolk…
After breakfast, we had a coffee back on the terrace before we drove off to Aoshima to see a bit of ocean. Our stay at Garden Terrace was a most tranquil and pleasant one, and while I know Miyazaki is not hot on the tourist list, do consider this hotel if you are traveling in its vicinity.
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