When you want to treat yourself…

With all that scrubbing and cleaning that we do in restoring our house, sometimes we need a treat.  I’ve had an eye on this place for nearly 10 years since I read an article in the magazine, “100 Hot Spring Retreats in Japan”.

Sekitei with beautiful stone garden
Sekitei with beautiful stone garden
Carps - such loved creatures in Hiroshima
Carps – such loved creatures in Hiroshima

Sekitei (Stone Residence)” was just over an hour from us and you could see Miyajima across the sea.  If we didn’t have kids, we would have stayed over night but I like how these places often offer shorter stay packages like lunch at affordable prices.

We arrived there around 11am.  We first looked around the garden and the library.  So beautiful.

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Tea house in the garden
Lunch looked and tasted fantastic.
Lunch looked and tasted fantastic.

I wish we could have our old house looking like this.  They recommended that we have bath first in our room and then have lunch which will also be served in our room.  Then we move to the public baths outside.

Love the earthy interior
Love the earthy interior
Relaxing in our room in Yukata (casual summer kimono)

I was going to write details of our experience but might let the photos speak.  It is not exactly cheap but for the food, architecture, landscapes, relaxation and hospitality, I would recommend highly.  We left the retreat around 2.30pm feeling totally relaxed and inspired. My husband talked about booking again straightaway.  If our restoration does not cost so much…

We could stay all day… Library / Lounge with lots of books and music