A relaxing trip to enjoy glamping! "GLAMPROOK Shimanami" accommodation report

To a hotel on a remote island where the ocean spreads out in front of you

GLAMPROOK Shimanami is a hotel where you can experience the nature of the Seto Inland Sea up close.

First of all, its location. Umashima, where the hotel is located, is a remote island belonging to Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture, and is located in a corner of the Seto Inland Sea dotted with beautiful islands.

The hotel is located in the middle of the Shimanami Kaido , which attracts cyclists from all over the world, and has a spectacular view of the ocean right in front of the hotel!

The hotel's ``All Inclusive'' feature means that meals, drinks, public baths, and most activities are included in the accommodation fee, so you don't have to carry your wallet with you during your stay.

This time, MATCHA writer KUMIKO ISHIGAKI experienced glamping here.

*This article contains the writer's personal impressions. Please note that the content does not reflect the official views of Gramprook Shimanami.

GLAMPROOK Shimanami accommodation reservation

Landing on a pleasure boat where you can feel the sea breeze

Only residents, hotel employees, and those with special permission are allowed to drive onto the island. Travelers disembark by hotel boat (pleasure boat) or courtesy vehicle.

There are 3 departures a day (14:30/15:30/16:30) from Imabari Port Pier 2. *Departures at 17:30 will be increased from March to September.

When I boarded the ship, the crew members took commemorative photos for me, told me about the charms of the islands in the Seto Inland Sea and Umashima, and made for a fun time.

For access to Umashima, please also see the article below.

The comfort that transcends the language barrier is due to outstanding hospitality.

The charm of GLAMPROOK Shimanami , which I recommend, is its hospitality.

Umashima is divided into an area where tourists can walk freely and an area where islanders live, and there are no other hotels or shops on the island. In such a situation, you can rely on the staff, who not only provide tourist information but also respond to even the smallest problems with a smile, kindly, and politely.

Although there are a limited number of staff who can speak English, there will be no language barrier when it comes to outstanding hospitality.

After checking in, let's visit the guest-only deck, located about a 5-minute walk from the hotel building. A welcome party is held for guests every evening.

By the time I finished drinking wine and admiring the white sandy beach and calm sea, I was completely captivated by the beauty of Umashima.

During the autumn and winter months when the temperature drops, tourists are welcomed with warm drinks such as mulled wine.

Enjoy glamping in a cocoon tent with an ocean view!

There are two types of guest rooms: rooms inside the hotel building and glamping-type rooms located outdoors.

This time, I stayed in a glamping type cocoon tent. Although it is called a tent, it is fully equipped with air conditioning and heating, and there is a large glass door at the entrance, so you don't have to worry about comfort or safety.

The interior is a large space that can fit four beds and a sofa.

Rooms in the glamping building do not have plumbing, so baths and toilets will be provided using the facilities in the hotel building next door. Although there are some inconveniences, the cocoon tent offers an outdoor atmosphere and is recommended for those looking for a special travel experience.

My favorite part is the large outdoor living room (terrace) in each room. Enjoy tea time by bringing out the provided cups and pots, or swinging in the hammock.

It was especially relaxing time lying in the hammock while listening to the sound of the waves.

Sustainable activities that respect nature

At the beach in front of the hotel, we enjoyed the activity of picking up sea glass.

Sea glass, which is made from glass bottles washed out to sea and caught in the waves, comes in a variety of colors and shapes. While it's fun and like a treasure hunt, it's also an experience that makes you think about environmental issues, as these are discarded bottles that have washed up in various oceans around the world.

You can take the sea glass you find home with you in an original small bottle along with the sand from the beach.

Sea glass collecting is one of the activities included in the accommodation fee. In addition, there are various other activities such as the `` Skywalk Tour, '' where you can enjoy the spectacular view from the Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge, and cycling around the island on an E-bike (charges apply), but we recommend that you don't make any plans.

Drinking coffee while listening to the sound of the waves or taking a walk on the beach may be a luxurious way to spend time that can't be replaced with any other activity.

The large public bath is equipped with environmentally friendly amenities.

The mini bag with the GLAMPROOK logo was a gift from the hotel. It is a nice service that includes amenities and can be used as a souvenir from your trip.

They have skin care items such as makeup remover, lotion, and emulsion, which is a big help. Other items include shampoo, treatments, body soap, toothbrushes, hairbrushes, and body towels, most of which are made from natural materials and are environmentally friendly.

You can choose from a wide variety of colors and sizes for room wear for free, so be sure to take advantage of it.

Although the public bath on the third floor of the hotel is small, it has a panoramic view of the Kurushima Strait from the men's and women's bathrooms. Business hours are two shifts: morning and afternoon (15:00-0:00, 6:00-10:00). Lockers, bath towels, hair dryers, hair brushes, etc. are provided.

Enjoy your evening to the fullest, from dinner to bar time.

There are no convenience stores, shops, or restaurants on Umashima. Therefore, hotel chefs are responsible for the enjoyment of food for travelers. Kaiseki dishes made with plenty of fresh local seafood and vegetables, mainly from Ehime Prefecture, are both healthy and delicious! This course was especially satisfying for me, who loves fish.

This article will provide you with plenty of information about dinner.

Furthermore, after dinner, you can enjoy your own bar time from 9:00 pm every day.

They have an extensive lineup of alcoholic beverages, including sake, shochu, and plum wine, and most of them have ties to Ehime Prefecture and surrounding areas. There were many unusual alcoholic beverages, such as shochu made with Ehime's famous chestnuts and plum wine made with blood oranges from Uwajima.

I tasted it little by little and ended my happy day feeling tipsy.

Welcome a beautiful day with a refreshing morning sun

Why not go for an early morning walk after waking up to the sound of the whistle of a ship passing by? You can see the sunrise from the beach in front of you.

For breakfast, you can choose from Japanese or Western food. On sunny days, you can also sit on the terrace. Enjoying a leisurely breakfast while watching the boats come and go is an exquisite experience.

Your stay of 1 night and 2 days will go by in the blink of an eye! If your schedule allows, we recommend staying for 2 nights or more.

On the way back, I drove to Imabari city. The driver, who is from Imabari, was easy to talk to and gave us useful information about sightseeing spots around Imabari and delicious restaurants that only a local would know about.

The more you learn about Ehime, the more fascinating it becomes, and it looks like your trip will continue!

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