4-Star Hotels in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan

I visited once in the summer of 2019 while pregnant with my second child, and it was a wonderful experience. The place was beautiful, clean, with excellent service, and the food served was delicious. This year, with my younger child grown, we wanted to revisit and relive those memories, but it was quite disappointing. The room was untidy, and the cleanliness had significantly deteriorated. Sleeping on the tatami, I woke up at 4 AM due to intense itching on my left shoulder, neck, and side. I suspect it was fleas, perhaps from the old tatami mat or mattress, as I tend to sleep on my left side. I didn't get any good sleep that night. The food quality had drastically declined; it felt like eating in a large cafeteria. The restaurant staff's attitude was also quite perfunctory; not outright rude, but it left a very poor impression. The humble service, smiles, and respect we experienced during our first visit were completely absent. We stayed for two days, and Saturday, our second day, was even worse. The Japanese dinner was supposed to be served course by course, meaning one dish at a time, with the next served only after the current one was finished, a plate per person, paced according to the guest's eating speed. Instead, a small dish was served to everyone, which we quickly finished. We tried to ask for the next course, but it didn't come. We were left waiting awkwardly for a long time, and then only a tiny bit more food would arrive, which we'd devour instantly. Then we'd be back to staring with pleading eyes, practically begging for more food. Finally, we realized that it wasn't about our table finishing a dish before the next was served. It was a mass cafeteria system, with over a dozen tables and families. Dinner started promptly at 5:30 PM, and even if we ate quickly, we had to wait for all the other tables to finish their first dish. Then, a cart would be brought out, and all tables would be served the second dish simultaneously. We were all separate parties, but families with kids who ate faster still had to wait for groups that were drinking to finish their first course before our second dish arrived. This is absolutely not Japanese dining service; it's a completely militarized cafeteria system. You have to wait for all fifteen-plus tables to finish their first course before the second one is served. Traditional Japanese meals are usually served individually, often in small portions. Here, if you eat quickly, you'll be left with nothing, just sitting there watching others drink and chat. Their 'Japanese' style amounts to serving you a single bite, and once you're done, you just stare at everyone else, because you won't get a second portion until they decide it's time. Having degenerated to this point, I will never eat their food again. It was sheer torment. The hotel's direct access to the beach right downstairs is a definite geographical advantage. We might consider staying here again if the kids specifically want to play in the sand, but if they're not keen on the beach, I will definitely not return. What a pity! I wanted to find a photo to post, but frankly, there was nothing worth sharing. Perhaps I should just post a photo of the broken TV, which they claimed had a loose connection and needed the cabinet dismantled for repair.

There are only a handful of top-rated hotels in Wakayama. I deliberated between this one and the one located at the JR station, ultimately choosing this hotel because of reviews mentioning Wakayama Castle views and a good breakfast, though I was slightly worried about transportation. My actual experience proved transport to be very convenient; a bus ride was just over ten minutes and dropped me off right at the hotel's doorstep. After checking in and going up to my room, I eagerly pulled back the curtains and was instantly thrilled to see Wakayama Castle, majestically framed by the twilight hills and a purple sky. The room was quite spacious, featuring a small sofa seating area by the window. There was ample space to open two suitcases without any issue. After a quick tidy-up, I couldn't wait to head out and explore. Though Wakayama Castle may not be as renowned as the four great ancient castles, its charm lies in its remarkably welcoming and accessible design. The path circling the castle walls is open to the public, and you can easily enter by crossing a small bridge over the moat. It was pleasant to see locals strolling and jogging around. After a half-lap exploration, I found the perfect spot for night photos and was extremely pleased with the view. Breakfast on the second day was served at a Japanese-Western fusion restaurant downstairs. The food selection was extensive, and the quality was excellent—truly impeccable. There's also a soba noodle shop within the building, which was delicious and reasonably priced. I had read reviews previously suggesting there weren't many dining options near the hotel, but actually, there are several restaurants and a convenience store right inside the building, which was fantastic. Overall, it was a very satisfying stay.

The hotel's location is excellent, right next to Wakayama Station. After exiting the station, turn right and you'll find a shopping mall with an LV store, and then the hotel is just a bit further ahead. There's also a delicious tonkatsu (fried pork cutlet) place nearby. The bus stop is right next to Wakayama Station, making it very convenient to get to popular attractions. The hotel also has a rooftop terrace where you can enjoy the night view and relax. To catch the Tama Densha (train), take the underground passage from Wakayama Station to Platform 9. Definitely use the underground passage, not the pedestrian bridge.

Very good. The service of the store is very good. The front desk can speak Chinese. The people are super gentle. The sea view is worth it. It is very beautiful. It is very comfortable to soak in a hot spring after a day of shopping. Recommended! (The room is a bit big and may be a bit cold. Then my friend and I are not used to the Japanese breakfast. But it is still very convenient and comfortable to eat in the morning. It depends on your opinion.

On my first day in Japan, I checked into this hotel, which is incredibly conveniently located right around the corner from the JR station exit. It was absolutely no hassle with luggage. The hotel room was clean and featured large floor-to-ceiling windows. Unfortunately, I arrived too late to experience the rooftop spa. Breakfast comes highly recommended, offering panoramic sea views through its three walls of floor-to-ceiling windows, and the food selection was abundant. From the JR platform, it's easy to transfer to services heading to attractions like the Cat Train line and Shirahama. The commercial complex on the hotel's second floor houses a food street and a local artisan market. Directly from the hotel's second floor, you can access the Wakayama City Library. If you have time, I highly recommend visiting it with children; it's spread over three floors, and my child was thrilled to discover original Detective Conan manga there.

I stayed for 2 nights and experienced two different room types: an ocean-view tatami room on the 7th floor (pictured) and another ocean-view tatami room on the 1st floor (with a private hot spring bath). **Pros:** 1. The location offers stunning ocean views. Just a short walk from the hotel (turn left, then left again), you'll find expansive ocean vistas; even if you haven't booked an ocean-view room, you can still enjoy the sea here and take evening strolls along the coast. 2. Complimentary hot and cold beverages are available, though with time restrictions. 3. There's a public hot spring bath (onsen) on the 2nd floor, complete with yukata (Japanese robes) and a comprehensive range of toiletries, including shampoo, conditioner, body wash, facial cleanser, makeup remover, toner, and lotion. A special touch is the selection of nearly 10 different brands of shampoos and conditioners you can choose from. For rooms with a private bath, Refa hairdryers are provided, and you can enjoy both indoor and outdoor bathing options. It's lovely to soak under the stars at night. 4. Complimentary ramen is served at 9 PM. During my two-day stay, it was 'black ramen' both nights. 5. The front desk staff primarily speak Japanese and English (no Chinese), but simple English communication was smooth. Overall service was excellent. Despite the remote surroundings, the hotel interior felt vibrant and welcoming. The dinner and breakfast staff were also very attentive and particularly friendly towards children. 6. The hotel is conveniently located less than a 10-minute walk from Kii-Katsuura JR Station, making it easy to visit the Whale Museum in Taiji and explore the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes. **Cons:** 1. The walk from Kii-Katsuura JR Station to the hotel with luggage was quite challenging. The pedestrian path is narrow, with cars driving by very close, though thankfully there wasn't much traffic. The hotel also does not offer a shuttle service. 2. The room facilities are a bit dated and show their age, but they remain fully functional. 3. Since we stayed in tatami rooms, we had to lay out our futons ourselves each night. 4. Due to booking two different room types, on the second day we had to check out by 10 AM, store our luggage, and then re-check in at 3 PM. Luckily, we were out exploring for most of the day, so it wasn't a major inconvenience. 5. The rooms use traditional keys (not key cards), which means you have to remember to manually lock the door when leaving. This felt a little inconvenient. **In summary,** this is a charming onsen hotel offering pleasant scenery and warm, attentive service. I would highly recommend it.

The hotel is just a 5-minute walk from JR Wakayama Station. The breakfast was fantastic, and it boasts a public onsen bath and sauna. They also offer complimentary udon noodles in the evening. The staff were wonderfully attentive. The rooms are a good size, and the price offers excellent value for money! We also enjoyed sushi at Umeya, conveniently located right opposite the hotel, where we received a complimentary sushi dish with a coupon from the hotel.

A satisfying choice! Shirarahama Beach is right downstairs. The room is like a suite, with a living room and a bedroom, offering both a bed and a tatami area. Even though it's an older hotel, there's absolutely no musty smell from the tatami, and all the furniture looks brand new. The room has its own indoor onsen, perfect for soaking with our little ones. The amenities are incredibly comprehensive, including a Refa hairdryer, curling iron, and straightener! Plus, a Pola skincare set and face masks. We booked the half-board plan; breakfast was pretty much the same daily, with two time slots to choose from. Dinner, however, was absolutely delicious and filling, with a different menu each day. There were also many yukata colors to choose from. I'll definitely stay here again next time I visit Shirahama.

After arriving at Shirahama JR Station, we took a bus to Shin-Yuzaki Station, and the hotel was right across the street. It's about a 10-minute walk to Shirahama Beach. We booked a Japanese-style room, and the staff made the beds and cleaned it daily. We stayed for two nights; one night we chose the buffet, which had a good variety, and the other night we had the Japanese set meal, which was also quite good. The hotel is located on a cliff, so the ocean view is a major highlight and definitely worth experiencing. The only minor inconvenience was when it suddenly started raining and we didn't have an umbrella. We asked the front desk, and they told us to ask the service staff at the hotel entrance. However, the service staff wouldn't lend us one. I used a translation app to explain that we just wanted to use it for a walk to the beach, but they kept saying no. Many Japanese hotels have umbrellas at the entrance that guests can freely use, so I'm not sure what the issue was here. Other than that, everything else was great, and we had a very comfortable two-day stay.

This hotel is really old and not very cost-effective. In addition, it was difficult to connect to the hotel's wifi, and it took a long time to set it up with their staff. The location is relatively remote, so it would be better if you drive by yourself. In addition, children without extra beds will be charged separately. If I hadn't booked at last minute and had no choice, I would really want to change hotels.