5-Starhotels in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan

A very satisfying trip to Awaji Island was made even better by our hotel. Everything was arranged in the best way. We changed buses from Kyoto and confirmed the pick-up station through the Ctrip platform. When we arrived, it was still early, so we took the free shuttle bus to go shopping (with luggage back to the hotel). We used the coupons to buy lunch and ice cream at Hello Kitty. When checking in, the male waiters all kneel down to serve, and confirm the information of dinner and going out the next day. The room we stayed in is a single-family round house like a yurt with a viewing balcony and a wooden bath. The details of the room are all local characteristics (dressing box, free mini bar/dessert, washbasin are all petrified wood). The central roof is transparent and empty, and you can also observe the stars. We enjoyed the food here for 5 days, especially the dinner was not repeated and changed in various styles. What surprised me was that the waitress could perform saxophone and flute at dinner, and there was a restaurant like a stage on the island where you could also enjoy the waiter's musical performance. The 20,000 consumption vouchers given for 5 days are enough for you to go out for free at noon. We also bought Hello Kitty exclusive gifts for the children at the Big Apple with the vouchers. This trip to Awaji Island is more memorable than the trip to Kyoto, and the people are simple and honest. Everyone is working hard to promote tourism in Awaji Island, which is worthy of praise. I will bring my children here next time.

First off, the rooms were really clean and spacious. I booked a connecting room which was perfect for a big family; one room for the elders and one for the kids. The front desk gave us a room on the 10th floor with an ocean view. Below us were the Ocean Museum and Meriken Park, offering not just a wide-open view but also super convenient access for walking around with the kids. Secondly, there are attractions nearby like the Anpanman Children's Museum and Daimaru department store, both about 900 meters away. If it's under 30 degrees Celsius, you can easily walk there. We often took a taxi to Sannomiya, which only took about 5 minutes. Lastly, I have to praise the pool. The water was crystal clear and clean, with one large pool and a jacuzzi. Floats and armbands were available for free use, and the best part was, there was hardly anyone there! 3300 JPY per person was definitely worth it. The bakery in the lobby (I think it was called Camellia) was excellent. They restocked daily, and their bread was more authentic than most bakeries in Kobe.

Grand Mercure Awaji Island boasts unparalleled sea views of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge and the Seto Inland Sea. Its excellent location, however, makes it best suited for guests traveling by car. Our sea-view room was spacious and comfortable, with floor-to-ceiling windows that made the morning sea sunrise a daily spectacle. Both breakfast and dinner offered a wide variety of dishes; we especially recommend the Awaji Island milk and local onion specialties. However, dining options nearby are limited, meaning you'll likely rely on the hotel's restaurant for dinner. Without a car, finding other dining spots would require a taxi. The hotel service was attentive, and the front desk staff spoke fluent English, providing helpful guides to local attractions. While the rooftop open-air hot spring bath isn't natural, it was uncrowded, peaceful, and incredibly relaxing with its sea views. On the downside, the facilities are a bit dated, and there's a noticeable lack of family-friendly entertainment options. Overall, this hotel is ideal for guests seeking serene sea views and a relaxed pace, offering particularly excellent value for money during the off-season.

The room was quite spacious, and the massage chair was a pleasant surprise – very comfortable to use. The room introduction was quite detailed, and it was my first time experiencing a traditional Japanese onsen ryokan. The tatami mats were interesting, and I slept well. The entire hotel felt like a museum; despite its age, it had a lot of character. I felt like I got a deeper understanding of Japanese culture, which I really appreciated. The service, apart from being led to our room with traditional Japanese bows and the room introduction, was mostly self-service. However, this was my first time staying at a 'one night, two meals' ryokan, so I'm not sure if all onsens are like this. We also didn't have large luggage, just our bags, so maybe that's why we didn't notice any issues with luggage service. On a positive note, the front desk immediately knew which pair of shoes were ours when we checked out, which was good service. On the downside, the room's air conditioning unit was so well hidden that it took ages to find, and I was cold for quite a while. The phone either didn't work or I couldn't figure out how to use it. Also, we booked the private onsen from 8 PM to 9:30 PM. After relaxing for a bit, it was already close to 11 or 12. The public onsen closed from 12 AM to 1 AM, so we couldn't use it. We needed about 8 or 9 hours of sleep, and breakfast was scheduled for 9 AM. After breakfast, from 9:30 AM to 11 AM, the public onsen was closed. When we asked, the front desk informed us that check-out was strictly at 11 AM and we couldn't use the public onsen after checking out. So, we missed out on the public onsen, which was a real shame and couldn't be negotiated. In any five-star hotel in any country I've traveled to, it's usually possible to discuss using facilities after check-out. But it seems traditional onsen ryokans are all this rigid. While that might be how Japanese people are, for a hotel of this price, and for clearly inexperienced foreigners (we were even reminded we wore our kimonos the wrong way), when asking about meal times, couldn't they have kindly informed us that we needed to plan our breakfast, dinner, and onsen times accordingly? The food was light and flavorful. I don't eat seafood, and they were able to adjust the meals to my preferences. Communication two months prior was very responsive. However, for us, it was a bit too plain; Japanese people would probably love it. This was my first trip with my husband after giving birth, and I had been looking forward to the onsen part for a long time. I was very happy on the check-in day, but not being able to use the public onsen on the second day was still a big regret.

The hotel service and environment are excellent, offering a free shuttle service from the station to the hotel. The meals and private hot springs are highlights, making for a perfect overnight stay with two meals. The entire hot spring town also has six public hot spring pools, each with its own unique features. There are many charming little shops along the street to explore, offering a tranquil escape from the city's hustle and bustle, allowing you to relax and rejuvenate!

This was our top choice hotel for summer school in Kobe, and the school bus stopped right downstairs, making daily commutes incredibly convenient. The hotel's location is excellent, about a 15-minute walk from Sannomiya. Getting to Shin-Kobe Station for the Shinkansen, Sannomiya Station for the JR lines, or simply taking the subway from downstairs is all very easy. There are also bus stops right outside for trips to Rokko or Sannomiya. You can also catch a bus from Shin-Kobe Station, accessible via a connected walkway, to areas like Umie, Kobe Harborland, and Meriken Park. Even trips to the outlet mall and Kobe Airport are easily manageable. So, transportation truly is a breeze. The hotel itself has a good number of rooms, and the front desk area is grand, spacious, and open. There was a minor hiccup during check-in, but the staff resolved it immediately. We stayed on the 29th floor, the highest non-executive floor, which was relatively quiet and offered fantastic views. We could see the Nunobiki cable car station right next door and the ocean in the distance. At night, enjoying the city lights from our room was truly delightful. The room was a good size, offering plenty of space to move around, and even had a sofa and a desk, which was perfect for my daughter to do her writing. The two complimentary bottles of mineral water each day tasted great, and the aluminum cans were very light to carry out. The shower had excellent water pressure, making both showering and bathing very comfortable. The hairdryer was a little weak, though, taking a bit of time to dry hair. Hotel breakfast was an absolute highlight! First, I want to commend every single dining staff member for their meticulous and thoughtful service. We dined in the restaurant every day during our half-month stay, and after just a few days, the staff recognized us. They would always smile and greet us proactively when we entered and exited the restaurant, which felt very welcoming. The breakfast itself was incredibly rich, with a full selection of vegetables and fruits, both in quantity and quality, making the breakfast-included option highly recommended. During this time, we did cause a little trouble once or twice 🙏 and we are truly sorry for that. However, the staff were incredibly friendly and responded very promptly, which deeply touched my daughter and me. Thank you again for your hard work; your service was truly exceptional! The housekeeping staff were also very thorough and attentive. Every day, as soon as I hung the 'do not disturb' sign and left, they would immediately spring into action. By the time I returned, the room was already spotlessly clean. We hope to have the opportunity to stay here again for a while next year.

Food was great and Eri-san was very friendly and helpful. The room was really clean and love the private onsen with amazing view. I love how attentive Eri-san was as well, the timing in which the next meal came was impeccable, allowing me to enjoy the food thoroughly. Other ryokans I have stayed before (despite being more expensive), the breaks between the food served was very short and it felt like I was rushing to eat. The outdoor hotspring bath was great and perfect for people who cannot stand too high temperatures. Unfortunately, when we wanted to dip in Gekkoen's more traditional and older outdoor hotspring, it was being cleaned. Would love to try dipping in it the next time we visit again.

We stayed at Negiya Ryofukaku in Arima Onsen during the maple leaf season, opting for the West Wing's deluxe Japanese-Western mixed room with a mountain view. The hotel staff were incredibly attentive and thoughtful, making us feel truly comfortable. Looking out the window, the mountain was ablaze with vibrant red maple leaves, like a flowing oil painting—the scenery far exceeded our expectations. Upon check-out, the hotel even thoughtfully arranged a car to take us to Arima Station, which was incredibly convenient.

Very nice, a hotel with great design and attention to detail. The south-facing executive room has a huge balcony that genuinely gives you a cruise ship feel. The executive lounge doesn't have a wide variety of food, but the taste is decent. The surrounding night view, including Kobe Tower, is beautiful and pleasing to the eye. A stroll in the evening during summer is very pleasant.

The room was absolutely gorgeous, and for the price, it definitely lived up to expectations. We loved everything, except for the breakfast – it just wasn't for us. It seemed to be Japanese-style food, but it was just so-so. So, if you're not a fan of local cuisine, you can probably skip breakfast and save some money. The service was excellent, though. They even provide kimonos in the room. The only slight hiccup was that we didn't book a transfer when we arrived, so we had to walk uphill for about 15 minutes, which was quite a struggle!