The Wakayama Big-Ai is one of the few tall buildings in the city. The Adult Disease Center of the Wakayama City Medical Association is on the 3rd and 4th floors. The Hotel Landmark Wakayama, which is found on the 10th floor, has 62 rooms and lobby and front desk with a serene contemporary look.

My guide was Ms. Maruyama from the Sales and Planning Department. She told me, "We're a small hotel, so great care goes into making our guests feel at home and we are very attentive to cleanliness."
The greatest attraction of this hotel has got to be the view. From the rooms, you can see all the way to the shiny sea and, depending on the direction, the landscape varies: Mt. Nagusa, Wakayama Castle, etc. After snapping a few shots, I stood there a while just gazing.

But, there is still more to enjoy. The restaurant "Hotel de Yoshino" is directly operated by the hotel and is the work and creation of Kenji Yoshino, owner/chef of Stella Maris in Paris. Stella Maris has a one-star rating from the Michelin Guide. The various delicacies prepared with local ingredients are much talked about.
The hotel also operates a more causal style cafe & restaurant, which also offers delivery services.

When I asked if there was a place for reading, I was advised, "Guest rooms are one option, while I can also recommend the International Exchange Center on the 8th floor. They have a small library and I myself studied there a lot in my student days." Also in the building are the Gender Equality Center and Human Rights Center, both of which have their own libraries.

By the way, to get to Wakayama Big-Ai, you just follow the sidewalk along the train tracks from JR Wakayama Station. "I make it in 15 minutes, but at a normal pace, it will take about 20," tells Ms. Maruyama. She certainly is a good walker! It will be autumn when you're there, so a good walk to the hotel would be great for staying fit.