5-Star Hotels 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.

This is an older Japanese-style star hotel that exudes the understated luxury of an economic boom period. Although the hotel itself is quite old, the room size, maintenance, and staff quality are still maintained at a high standard. Satisfied!

The Grand Mercure Awaji Island Resort & Spa is nestled on a hillside, offering views of the sea and the bridge. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, also boasting sea views. As with all Mercure hotels, it's always bustling with guests, and the accommodation and dining are excellent. This particular hotel is family-friendly, making it a great choice for families looking for a holiday.

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!

If shopping convenience isn't a top priority, I highly recommend staying at the ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel. It's right next to Shin-Kobe Station, just one subway stop from Sannomiya Station. The rooms offer unbeatable panoramic views of Kobe, and the Nunobiki Herb Garden ropeway station is right nearby. Kitano Ijinkan is also a short walk away, and it's downhill so it's not tiring. Arima Onsen is only 30 minutes away too. Plus, there's a large supermarket downstairs that's open until 11 PM, making it easy to stock up on supplies. The value for money is incredibly high. I'll definitely be staying here again.

I highly recommend the Gekkoukan (Moonlight Pavilion) after a two-day stay. It's divided into the main building, Kōmōkan, and an annex. There are three hot springs in total, but the water quality is pretty much the same across all of them. I'd suggest sticking to the main building's baths as they are more spacious and convenient. The only downside was that transfers need to be booked in advance, and there isn't a scheduled shuttle bus. Plus, it's quite a hike uphill to get there, which was a real struggle in the summer heat while lugging suitcases.

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.

The hotel is not located near bus station and transportation is required to the hotel. If you cannot contact the hotel for the transfer (like our case) head on to the tourist information centre and they will help you to contact them for the transportation. Check in is strictly after 2pm, but they will offer to take your luggages to the hotel first while you explore around the Arima Onsen vicinity. Contact them again via information centre when you are ready to check in to the hotel. We were greeted by a lady that dressed up in kimono and guided us to the check in counter. The room is spacious and clean. The view is spectacular and you can hear the birds chirping here and there. The environment is totally pleasant and peaceful. The onsen is very therapeutic and our body feel rejuvenated after soaking. As we opt for room-in Kaiseki dinner, we are able to enjoy full privacy while eating the sumptuous course of dinner that serves by a friendly lady attending to us. In all, it is a great experience.

Overall, it was quite good. The only downside was that the lighting was really dim. I called the front desk to ask why two lights weren't working and they said they were emergency lights. This isn't very friendly for people who want to study/work a bit or handle some things in the evening. The cleanliness was excellent. Although the hotel is old, the details were handled spotlessly. The environment was also quite good. From our east-facing room, we could see the BE KOBE landmark in Meriken Park ^ ^ The hotel lobby offers self-service welcome drinks, and it was pleasant to grab a drink when leaving or returning to the hotel. The breakfast was also good, with a variety of Western and Japanese options. We had a sea-view table on the first day, but unfortunately, we weren't assigned a window seat on the second day (╥﹏╥) In terms of location, it's natural that beautiful views and shopping can't be had at the same time, but it's only a twenty-minute walk to the shopping district, which is fine. If you want more comfort, you can take a taxi directly; there are plenty of taxis in front of the hotel. It's very friendly and convenient for tourists! One of the days during our stay happened to be my birthday. I emailed to ask about birthday decorations and was told they didn't offer that service, but when I entered the room, I saw a small card and a flower on the table, which made me very happy!