Hello this is Maeve Nolan General Manager of Backyard Travel.
I was deeply sorry to read that we did not meet your expectations on your recent trip to Japan with us. I believe you had good rapport with Mr Pug, and he’s also disappointed to read your trip did not go as smoothly as we had planned.
Our service, and the hotels we recommend, are at the core of our business and I am disheartened to read your comments. Thank you however for your positive feedback on the guides, I will make sure they are complimented personally.
As for the hotels, I’d like to explain in detail. Your hotels were chosen by us based on regular inspections, as well as client feedback. If we feel a certain property is becoming old and worn, or we receive negative feedback, we remove the property from our preferred hotel list. Both of these hotels you have mentioned in your feedback have, so far, received positive feedback hence why we recommend them.
For the Hakone hotel, we will inspect the hotel again in the immediate future, as well as discuss with the management regarding the poor service you received, specifically your remarks on the onsen experience as well as your meals.
Regarding your feedback on your hotel in Kyoto, most hotels in this city do have small size rooms (as is the case for many hotels in Japan in general), however your room was over 25sqm which is actually on the generous side for the area. We choose this hotel for our clients due its central location. We can perhaps choose other hotels, but this means expensive taxi rides for our clients going to and from town, which is simply not practical.
As for your observations regarding the train, yes I agree, it’s not easy travelling on many trains in Japan, however if you want to see as many varied (and interesting!) destinations as you did, then these train trips must be taken. On the plus side however, the trains are efficient and spotless.
Ritta once again I am sorry we did not meet your expectations in terms of some of our choice of hotels, however I am glad you enjoyed the time with our guides. If you wish to express any more feedback, then I am happy to receive your further comments. Our clients are extremely important to us, and when our travelers are disappointed in any way, then this affects the whole team personally. I do however appreciate your honest feedback, in order for us to improve our services.
With kind regards,
Maeve