Day visit for lunch and spa treatments in a beautiful setting with a minimalist vibe. Lunch held outdoors in the Cherry Grove on a giant bluestone/slate table . The menu was fixed, chef's choice, just choose your protein. The vegan dish was delicious. The seafood dish was a generous portion, but oddly just seafood in broth, no accompaniments like pasta or rice .They did bring bread when we could find the waiters, who delivered the food with a flourish, but weren't seen again till they picked up the plates. The facilities - sauna, steam , hot tubs, were pristine and spa treatments were as expected. They were missing simple amenities though: "out of shower caps", no bags for wet bathing suits. We were offered snacks post treatment but then told "they were out of them". Little shot glasses of 'elixirs' were also offered after our massages. I assume they were good for us, but some tasted horrible. Little cards listing the ingredients and health benefits would have been helpful. All in all a relaxing experience, but the devil is in the details. Addressing them would go a long way to elevate the experience and make Shou Sugi Ban House the luxury experience it purports to be.

My partner and I are considering retreating at this exquisite location but after speaking with guest service agent, Hannah, and now reading some of the comments, we are now having second thoughts. I did NOT get a warm or welcoming phone experience from Hannah after inquiring about booking a reservation. The energy over the phone felt a lot like what I've just read in the comments below -- pretentious, uncultured + uninfectious to what is exemplified on their site, and just flat out lifeless. It was as if I had been a bother for calling to inquire about booking a reservation. Considering the time, energy, (and not to mention the money) that is acquired to have an intentional retreat experience, unfortunately this place may not be it. We are now exploring to retreat elsewhere. What a shame. It appears as tho this establishment is in need of internal restructuring from a complete wholistic perspective. Adopting culture authenticity as opposed to what appears to be culture appropriation.

SSBH is a beautifully designed place, every detail, in the gardens, in the studios, in the communal spaces, are well-thought. Materials, perspectives, everything is zen and peaceful - except the noise of the train, which is just behind, but we can live with it. Service from staff is excellent. Spa is top notch. Our disappointment came from the dinner, which should have been exceptional, which is priced to be so ($125), and which has not been. We chose omakase style , and when we got to the table, dinner was served, simple dishes with no explanation, no one to story-tell... what we saw what beet, cabbage, potatoes and fish, that was good, for sure, but lacked special interest for us. Apparently, we missed the point of the "hyper-seasonal" experience, and the fact that Covid-19 protocols prevented staff to serve us (really ?), but the bottom line is we got the price and totally missed the value. Same for the simple rice bowl we had for lunch, priced at $50. We live in NYC, work in the luxury field, with some sensitivity around "money-can't-buy experience", and have lived in Japan before, so we think we know what a $50 rice bowl could look like (though we've ever had..), and we were sad not see that. And then room rates, at $1,500 / night, you expect true exception. Too bad for us, I'm sure they will correct that, and surely, unlike us, future guests will live the best experience possible. It's still a new place. We all need zen in our life and Shou Sugi is designed for that.