Hot Springs Hotels in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan

This is my second time here, and I feel the service wasn't as good as my last visit. Last time, someone even escorted me to my room, but this time it felt more like a streamlined process. They offer free beer from 3-5 PM, so you can check in a bit early, grab a drink, and then head out. It's a bit of a walk to Shirahama Beach, but it's manageable. However, the views are truly breathtaking. Even though the room's bath uses tap water, soaking while looking out at the sea is very relaxing. The large public bath was practically empty; I pretty much had it to myself in the mornings. The co-ed section offers amazing ocean views, and it wasn't crowded either. Many people have mentioned that dinner isn't great, but perhaps they're comparing it to high-end Japanese restaurants. Honestly, it was pretty decent. The standard set menu included an abalone and a sukiyaki with local black beef, so there was plenty of food. For breakfast, I recommend the Japanese style; it has more variety, while the Western option is mostly bread and ham.

The hotel is situated at a secluded corner of Wakayama prefecture. It is much preferable to drive here rather than relying on the infrequent hotel shuttle. Public transport is otherwise non existent. There are no restaurants around the hotel. However the hotel provides delicious meals with abundant fresh seafood. The in room dining experience is superb. The hotel staff service is impeccable. The room has a spectacular sea view allowing you to see the sunset on clear days. The onsen also faces the sea which provides a relaxing experience. A downside is that the hotel does not seem to sanitize the slippers for indoor use. All hotel guests had to change to their slippers to access their indoor facilities.

Facilities: Typical Marriott standard. I specifically booked a Japanese-Western style room to experience it, and indeed, the combination was a bit 'unusual'. The good thing is the tatami area can be used to store a lot of items! Cleanliness: Tidy and clean. Environment: Although many people complain about the 'hill' issue, since we took taxis up and down, I didn't feel the need to complain much. Walking up and down the slope without luggage can indeed be a bit tiring, but I just took it as exercise (I can understand other reviewers' complaints). Service: Very good! We arrived at Shirahama Station around 8 PM, and there were no buses, so we had to wait for a taxi. It was raining and snowing, and no taxi came for a long time, leaving us shivering from the cold… I called the hotel to ask if they could pick us up, and the lady at the front desk quickly arranged for a colleague to pick us up from the station! I'm very grateful for their 'help in time of need'! (No charge) Also, the front desk reception, breakfast guidance, and greetings were all very warm and friendly 👍 A good stay overall!

The room was very spacious and had no strange smells. The hotel staff even helped move our stored luggage into the room and provided complimentary snacks and water, which was a very thoughtful touch! The TV showed the occupancy of various public areas, which was super considerate. The hot springs were also very comfortable, with good ambiance and cleanliness. After a dip, they offered popsicles, which was a nice treat. There were two large bookshelves nearby where you could pick out your favorite manga to read, and right outside was the massage chair area – absolutely perfect! In the evening, they offered free late-night noodles that were quite tasty, and there was a self-service drink bar. The breakfast buffet had a wide variety of choices, and I even got to try local specialty sushi, which was a unique experience. There was an electronic scale at the stairwell for weighing luggage, which was very convenient. I'd love to visit again if I get the chance!

After a great stay at the Kuaian Hotel by the rice paddies, I decided to check out the Kuaian Nachiura store, which I'd been eyeing for a while. It was about a ten-minute walk with my luggage, and the hotel was right by the road, with cherry blossoms in full bloom. My room had a fantastic ocean view, and I could even see Bentenjima island from my balcony. I managed to catch the sunset on the beach, which was wonderfully quiet and peaceful – I loved it. In the evening, I enjoyed another relaxing hot spring bath. For breakfast the next day, we had a reservation for 8:15 AM, but I woke up early to catch the sunrise and thought we might be able to eat earlier. To my surprise, we were politely turned away and told to stick to our reservation time (it turns out breakfast is quite a formal affair!). We realized we were a bit too casual and were heading back to our room to wait when the friendly elderly gentleman at reception called us back and found us a table. We had a beautiful view of a corner of Bentenjima island while enjoying a very formal breakfast. It was a wonderful experience overall.

The hotel is conveniently located right by a bus stop. The onsen hotel offers a great variety of food. The dinner buffet included sashimi, and breakfast featured local specialties. The Japanese-style tatami beds were very comfortable. A pleasant surprise was the complimentary drinks bar, perfect for enjoying after a relaxing bath.

A traditional Japanese onsen hotel with comfortable tatami mats. The front desk was very efficient and made an effort to speak English, which was a touching touch. The onsen has three pools, and they were almost always empty, with no other guests in the hallways. However, the dining area was quite crowded, with food being served in an orderly manner but quickly cleared. The beach is a one-minute walk away, and the water is crystal clear, with schools of fish visible near the shore. This is what a vacation should be like!

The rooms were large and unique. It was a detached house with a private bathroom, but it got a bit noisy with so many children. There was a skylight, so the morning sun streamed in, and those sensitive to sunlight shouldn't stay up too late. The entire hotel is situated on a hilltop, offering views of distant fireworks (they happened to be there when we stayed). The market below is a must-visit. Many of the guests were Japanese.

The hotel boasts a very convenient location, just under a 10-minute walk from JR Wakayama Station. Our room was spotless, and the public bath, featuring genuine hot spring water, was a truly relaxing experience. While the room wasn't huge, we managed to comfortably open two large suitcases after simply adjusting the table and chairs. This hotel offers fantastic value for money! As a side note, make sure to take the unique Kishi Line train from Wakayama – and don't forget to get your commemorative stamps!

The hotel's biggest plus is its spacious rooms, perfect for families with kids. After comparing it with two other hotels, we definitively chose this one. The service and everything else at the hotel were excellent. The only thing that felt just average was the food. Compared to the meals we've had at many Japanese onsen hotels, this was just so-so. For a two-night stay, the dinner menu changes on the second night, and it was noticeably better than the first night's meal.