Benton Guesthouse 'Phase 3' Updates. So cute!

February has been an exhausting month, but our guesthouse sure is looking cute as a button. The long wait for ‘phase 3’ renovation, and all the hard work, has proven to be worth the effort. After five weeks of extensive additional improvement work, I’m happy to report that Benton Guesthouse is once again welcoming guests! We’re ready for busy tourist season to begin.

Before we get into all the new photos, I’d like to briefly mention our current rating status:

On AirBnB, we’ve held our Superhost status from the very beginning. We were recently also awarded the ‘Gold Level’ Guest Favorite status as well, which means we are in the top 10% of homes! Currently, our AirBnB rating sits at 4.92 stars, which is pretty great for nearly 150 reviews.

We recently received our first Booking.com review award also. We received the annual Traveller Review Award, for consistently high guest ratings. Currently, our Booking.com rating sits at 9.7 stars, with 48 reviews.

Of course, our rating on Google Maps remains a full 5 stars! This is only possible with consistently happy guests leaving all 5-star reviews. We love to see all the photos guests share in their Google reviews!

       EXCELLENT  
   Based on 52 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Mark Guthrie 
 2 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Dani was amazingly helpful and could not do enough for us. They booked our dinner at a local restaurant (which was amazing), and were really accommodating with our time issues. The rooms were spacious and clean, and very funky in a Showa-era style. For that price, it was an absolute steal! I would definitely go back if I were to be in the area again. Thanks so much!
  
 
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   jj walsh 
 11 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. +14
One of my favorite places to stay in Japan - beautifully renovated AKIYA abandoned house brought back to life that feels like you are staying in a retro doll house filled with salvaged vintage Japan items that capture your interest with a sense of whimsy. Watching my 58 yr old husband play the FAMICON game on the old TV and playing records on the portable record player or even picking up an old rotary phone and feeling again how tedious it is to dial a number that way as we used to brings back lots of nostalgia fun. The guest house is big with lots of room to relax in as well as kept in pristine condition & hyper clean. I love the addition of local juice and retro popcorn and other snacks you can buy if you'd like, but also free chilled water, tea, coffee and all the amenities you need in the bath. It was also nice to try the famous local IMABARI towels they have available for use. Dani & Evan are inspiring creatives who are also doing so much good work for their community in collaboration, farming, beekeeping, taking in stray dogs & cats as well as renovating old structures to provide a service for travelers. Looking forward to trying their taco stand and shop when it opens soon too. They can also recommend great local places to eat or stay if they are fully booked- such wonderful local ambassadors!
  
 
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   ahyeahno 
 26 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. +2
A wonderful guesthouse with everything you could need for a relaxing visit. Dani and Evan were helpful every step of the way with prompt responses to any questions we had. It can sometimes be difficult to traveling in more rural areas, but they helped make it easy for us;) It’s nice to see a traditional Japanese house get a new life and still maintain its character. A great building and kind hosts made our stay very enjoyable even after many hours of travel.
  
 
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   petra truchla 
 50 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Remarkable house in unique location! We were a group of 5 people incl. kids, we stayed 3 nights. This house was our base for cycle trips through the islands.  We enjoyed mostly sleeping on tatami and playing Nintendo together. House is full of interesting decorations, it has a great atmosphere. Host is super helpful, lives nearby and is exceptionally supportive.
  
 
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   Luca Giaccone 
 52 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The host is really nice, super helpful and always very kind. The traditional house - restored with a very good taste - is a hidden gem. Everything was perfect, can't wait to be back again.
  
 
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   Anthony Y 
 84 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Shimanami Cycle stop over - We stopped here as our half way point on the shimanami cycle. It was perfectly located close to half way. The house is fantastic - a properly renovated Shawa era home. This will fit a group of friends or a family comfortably. Our only disappointment was that we didn’t plan to spend more time here ! We considered doing so but had booked accomodation.
  
 
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   Cas Bertrams 
 85 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Lovely stay! Dani is a very helpful host, very friendly and quick to respond. She made reservations for us at a local restaurant, and helped us with our cycling journey! The house is amazing, very clean and has a lot of character. Would very much recommend
  
 
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   C B 
 90 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. +3
Worth staying a few nights, the house and neighbourhood are so lovely, and Evan and Dani have clearly put their heart and soul into making this house a nostalgic retreat. A nearby salt water onsen, fabulous local restaurants (make sure to book early!), and don't miss Oyamazumi Shrine.
  
 
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   GojiraKorn 
 108 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Fantastic guesthouse. Lovingly restored in a very traditional style. Has two tatami bedrooms and one western bedroom. Tranquil rural location. Fantastic option as a night stop near the halfway point if doing the Shimanami Kaido over two days (or consider spending more time to explore Omishima island more extensively!)
  
 
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   Emma Isabelle 
 116 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. It was very unique and spacious and we liked the option to sleep on the tatami flooring. It was clear that they have put so much effort into making everything comfortable. The location was also great, and Dani and Evan were helpful in recommending and booking some local food options for us.

      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 138 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
      Posted on Airbnb  
   
   Jj 
 12 days ago
 
 
 Verified It's like staying in a retro doll house filled with Shows Japan vintage items in good repair that you can actually try them out. So many free services available like chilled water in fridge, lots of coffee & tea & lots of amenities to choose from. But also wonderful local juice to buy in fridge if you want as well as their own honey (so good) and some fun snacks which saves you a trip to the local store. So much space to spread out and relax in. I even liked using the bean pillow. You'll be surprised that this was an abandoned house before Dani & Evan transformed it as everything is so clean, comfortable & in good repair. The communication is also so friendly and helpful - can't wait to stay again!
  
 
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   Laura 
 23 days ago
 
 
 Verified Time travelling as comfortable as possible haha We’ve had an amazing, unique time at Benton Guesthouse. Dani and Evan are lovely hosts who helped us with any topic within minutes.This is definitely a “we’ll be coming back here” place - and already can’t wait for it to happen 🌞
  
 
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   Nataly 
 37 days ago
 
 
 Verified We had a most comfortable stay at your guest house. The house had everything and more than what we needed. Big thanks for Evan and Dani spending extra time with us. We hope to stay with you again before long. All the best,Colin and Tomoko————My parents really loved their stay here. They really appreciated all the help and the dinner at Kitsune No Botan. They were having a great time with the vinyl and were talking about the great retro nostalgic deco. ❤️ Thank you!Nataly
  
 
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   Ayano 
 40 days ago
 
 
 Verified A wonderful guesthouse with everything you could need for a relaxing visit. Dani and Evan were helpful every step of the way with prompt responses to any questions we had. It can sometimes be difficult to traveling in more rural areas, but they helped make it easy for us. It’s nice to see a traditional Japanese house get a new life and still maintain its character. A great building and kind hosts made our stay very enjoyable even after many hours of travel.
  
 
     Posted on Airbnb  
   
   Brian 
 59 days ago
 
 
 Verified Dani’s place was astonishing. Super nostalgic and cozy. We stayed in and played the fami computer on the CRT TV all night. We had a lovely stay!
  
 
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   Hanne 
 65 days ago
 
 
 Verified Such a great place to stay! Loved that we had the option between western style bedroom and traditional Japanese. It has everything you need, is spacious, and Dani was a great host who replied quickly:) Highly recommend!
  
 
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   Yu Ming 
 68 days ago
 
 
 Verified 他是非常好的房東，這個屋子很舒服
  
 
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   Thomas 
 70 days ago
 
 
 Verified Our stay was so comfortable and enjoyable! Dani and Evan really made us feel welcome, while also respecting our space. They also had great recommendations for us during our stay. Would love to come back again!!
  
 
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   Safia 
 75 days ago
 
 
 Verified Had a great stay at Dani’s place! It was a one-of-a-kind opportunity to stay in a Japanese house in the countryside. Dani has completely preserved the authenticity of the building, from the tatami floors to the bathing rooms to the artwork. We stopped there for one night as we cycled our way through the Shimanami Kaido, and it had everything we needed. Dani reached out well in advanced with dinner recommendations and coordinated the reservation for us. She was incredibly responsive overall, and gave us play-by-play updates about the weather and road closures as there was a typhoon just days before. She also has a little “convenience store” set up in the house in case you want any snacks while you’re there. The place is very peaceful and felt super safe, while still being accessible from the main road.
  
 
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   Jake 
 89 days ago
 
 
 Verified Perfect location for biking. Dani was extremely helpful and even booked us dinner reservations since we don’t speak Japanese! 100% would recommend.

       EXCELLENT  
   Based on 89 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
      Posted on Booking  
   
   Mark 
 2 days ago
 
 
 Verified A wonderful place in a traditional home with the most amazing hosts you could ask for! ☺Dani was amazingly helpful and could not do enough for us. They booked our dinner at a local restaurant (which was amazing), and were really accomadating with our time issues. The rooms were spacious and clean, and very funky in a Showa-era style. For that price, it was an absolute steal! I would definitely go back if I were to be in the area again. Thanks so much!
  
 
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   Youlia 
 10 days ago
 
 
 Verified C’était un parfait endroit pour s’arrêter en faisant nos 75+km de Shimanami Kaido. Dani était toujours très proactive et ☺La gentillesse et la disponibilité des hôtes, l’authenticité de l’endroit
  
 
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   Reiko 
 18 days ago
 
 
 Verified 田舎暮らしが体験できる快適なお宿 ☺ベットルームが複数ある 懐かしいゲームや音楽がある キッチンや洗濯機などがあり長期滞在にも向いている ハイシーズンであっても割安
  
 
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   Melvin 
 30 days ago
 
 
 Verified +0
☺Dani et Evan sont très gentils et accueillants. Ils nous ont beaucoup aider pour la réservation de restaurant et également le transfert de bagages qui était compliqué durant la semaine de congé des japonais ! La maison est vraiment adorable en pleine campagne, avec une console Nintendo sur une tv ancienne et un lecteur vinyle avec des albums japonais, tout pour se mettre dans l'ambiance un peu old school japonais. Merci beaucoup !! ☹/
  
 
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   Rutger 
 32 days ago
 
 
 Verified Superleuk en prachtig gerenoveerd Japans huis. Aanrader! ☺Een prachtig gerestaureerd authentiek Japans huis. Met smaak en oog voor details opgeknapt en van alle gemakken voorzien ☹-
  
 
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   James 
 41 days ago
 
 
 Verified Cyclist stopover in charming restored guesthouse with awesome hosts. ☺It was a beautifully restored country home. The hosts have lovingly preserved so many of the house’s original features and charm. It was conveniently located for our purposes as cyclists on the Shimanami Kaido route. The hosts helped us make a reservation for a delicious dinner at a nearby restaurant. We slept very comfortably in a Japanese style bed, and were appreciative of the opportunity to do laundry midway through our bicycle trip. We are very impressed by hosts and their project at (and projects beyond!) Benton Guesthouse.
  
 
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   James 
 42 days ago
 
 
 Verified Absolutely Beautiful Place! If you only needed one sentence to sum it up... ☺Everything about Benton Guesthouse was perfect! My favourite things that make this place truly exemplary is though is the hosts, especially Dani who was extremely kind, generous, humours and helpful throughout my stay. I plan my trips with a lots of depth and care and as such sent, you could say bombarded ;) ha, Dani with lots and lots of highly detailed, specific and exacting questions. Far from being overwhelmed though, I was extremely impressed with her very thoughtful, extremely knowledgable and joyful and humorous (and important for planning, VERY PROMPT) responses to every question I had. She gave me invaluable insights and tips with made my trip planning seamless. Even more though, you can clearly see her genuine passion to help in any way and do everything to help make your trip as memorable as possible. The other thing I love is all the small details! The pre-cooled mugs in the fridge so you can have an instant cold drink on arrival if your own drinks are warm, the onsen kits, the detailed collection of maps in the lobby to help plan your trip, the local bottles of orange juice in the fridge for instant refreshment if you need it and all the Showa era vintage antiques throughout that make you feel like you're in a living museum, a tourist attraction in its own right. It's these small details that really push this place from being already excellent to truly exemplary! The accommodation alone is enough to earn this place a solid 10 but with Dani's absolute above and beyond service and those small details you can really see and feel every single drop of passion and love the Dani and Evan put into this place from every angle to give the best of the best experience possible! They really deserve a solid 10/10. I would even give 11 if I could! ☹Nothing! And I can be fussy with the places I stay at but at this place the hosts have truly thought of everything and made every little tiny detail incredible! The only thing I'd say that made would make you a bit sad when leaving is when you see the heart and soul they put into this place you just know that as incredible as your stay is that if you do come back 1 year, 2 year, 3 years etc from when you're there it'll be even better! Even if you only have 1 night, this place would be 10/10! But if you can, do your best and stay for at least 2! It'll be very, very worth it!
  
 
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   Frank 
 46 days ago
 
 
 Verified ☺Everything. Wow, what an experience. We spent some days in the cities before and intentionally wanted to relax in the countryside. Doing the Shimanami we were happy to find this gem. With so much love renovated and in top condition. Dani as a host is incredible. Super communication, full of good hints and super supportive. We had some logistic issues bcs one of the travelling group fell sick. Dani helped without being asked, offered unsolicited help and was available 24/7. Great!!!! Further,  Dani offered "grab'n'go" bags for the local Onsen, which was very much appreciated. The pictures give you a good impression. WYSIWYG. If you want to have a countryside experience during the Shimanami trail combined with Japanese culture- do not miss this place. You won't regrer! ☹Nottingham, everytjing was perfect
  
 
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   Alexis 
 73 days ago
 
 
 Verified ☺Nous avons adoré nos 2 nuits là-bas. Le lieu est magique et magnifique. Nos enfants ont adoré découvrir les jeux vidéos vintage et le tourne disque. Il y a tout ce qu'il faut pour faire la cuisine, venez avec votre nourriture. On nous aidé pour choisir les restaurants le soir, délicieux. Le village est très joli pour une balade le soir. On recommande grandement ! ☹Neant
  
 
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   Giacomo 
 91 days ago
 
 
 Verified Favolosa casa in vero stile Giapponese ☺Bellsima casa in stile tradizionale Giappone di recente ristrutturazione. Dotata di tutti i confort. Eravano solamente in 3 persone ma la casa avrebbe spazio per 8/10 persone. Abbiamo soggiornato 3 notti in questa struttura ed è stata eccellente la disponibilità della proprietaria Dani, che era sempre raggiungibile con whatapp per qualsiasi necessità. Gentilissima nel suggerirci le trattorie/locande ed Izakaya del posto. Ha pensato Dani ad effetture le prenotazioni nei locali dove la disponibilità dei tavoli era limitata. Host super consigliato

Ok, now, on to the new and improved Benton Guesthouse:

⌄ The first room you see when you enter Benton Guesthouse is the spacious ‘doma’. I removed the small assortment of vintage items for sale, because we will soon have a full-size Retro Shop. We transformed this room into a helpful planning station for guests, complete with various Shimanami Kaido maps and resources. I’ve collected menus from neighborhood restaurants, flyers for local activities, to create my physical ‘guidebook’ that guests can flip through. Also, I made 10 onsen ‘grab and go’ bags for guests, to make their hot spring visit a little easier.

⌄ The kitchen received the most updates. As you can see in the photos, we now have a much bigger (and pink!) refrigerator, and a small secondhand microwave. The fridge is stocked with items guests can purchase, like local juice and iced coffee. Now the complimentary cooking essentials are easier to find in the cupboard, and the freezer is stocked with even more chilled beer mugs. The new big ticket item is the air conditioner and heater! Evan built some nice wooden countertops to extend the stainless steel counters on either side.

⌄ A few more new kitchen photos, because it’s just so pretty!

⌄ The bathroom and laundry room got a few upgrades as well. The bathtub needed some minor repair, once year since our major bathtub restoration project, so we gave it a fresh coat of enamel paint. I also added some more vintage items that guests can enjoy.

⌄ The rest of the guesthouse rooms didn’t have enough change to necessitate new photos. But, every nook and cranny, every corner, every single item in the house got moved, dusted, cleaned behind, or polished. I vacuumed the ceiling, y’all. We’ve always gotten high ratings for cleanliness, but this house is clean clean. We’re ready for a very busy tourist season!

⌄ Even the exterior of the house got a deep clean! Since we had so much construction goin on outside (more on that next), the house had collected a lot of construction dust. Now the windows, the eaves, and all the wood details, are sparkling clean. Evan built this nice new bike rack. Boy, those first rays of light at sunrise really hit the guesthouse just right! Golden glow.

⌄ Here’s a wide shot of the exterior. Notice the brand new roof on the garage! You may also notice the brand new and expanded driveway! Such a massive improvement that we’ve been anticipating for three years. That will be the main topic of our next blog and videos, as it was part of the small business subsidy projects, which were going on simultaneously to our own ‘phase 3’ renovation.