Fodor's Expert Review Hotel Benesse House

It's hard to say what part of a stay at the Hotel Benesse House is the most memorable: the gorgeous views of the Seto Inland Sea, special access to the artworks at the Benesse Museum, or the Tadao Ando architecture and the luxurious yet minimalist decor of the hotel rooms. Each of the four buildings containing guest rooms has a different theme and location: Park, Beach, Museum (in the Benesse House Museum), and Oval, which is an artwork in itself, farther up the hill and accessed by walkways or a monorail. Stunning views of nature and art abound. The several restaurants on the property include Japanese and French ones and a café. The staff members are friendly and capable but deliberately keep their distance—a change from the ever-attentive service in other upscale Japanese hotels. Add-on meal plans are available.