Kamakura Prince Hotel

Kamakura Prince Hotel sits in the Shichirigahama district, on the quieter stretch of coast between Kamakura and Enoshima. The hotel is near the beach, which is known for surfing and sunset views, and it feels more like a seaside resort than a city hotel. Rooms come in nine types, from compact doubles to large suites of well over seven hundred square feet, and some have balconies. Two restaurants and a cafe cover breakfast, lunch and dinner without leaving the property, and a seasonal outdoor pool opens in summer. Parking is available for a small nightly fee and there is an electric vehicle charging point. Shichirigahama Station on the Enoden line is about a nine minute walk, so the temples and Enoshima are an easy train ride away.

Location is the trade-off. You are not in the old town, so you reach Kamakura Station by a short train ride and plan your temple days as outings rather than strolls. In return you wake up near the sea, walk to the beach for sunrise or sunset and avoid the weekend crowds that fill the centre. The Enoden stop at Shichirigahama links you to Hase, the Great Buddha and Enoshima, and the coastal road is flat and pleasant for walking.

Choose a room with a balcony if you can, since some have outdoor space, and ask about sea-facing categories when you book, since views vary by room. Rooms have premium bedding, a safe, a fridge, a kettle and a bidet toilet. Breakfast in the restaurants is a good start to a big temple day, and dinner is convenient after a long walk. The outdoor pool is seasonal, so do not plan on swimming outside summer. Check-in starts mid afternoon.

This is the right base for couples, for families who want beach time alongside sightseeing and for travellers who like a resort-style stay with space. It is less convenient for visitors who want to be steps from Komachi-dori in the evening, who should look at the station-side hotels. Book early for weekends, holidays and the summer beach season, when rates rise.