4-Star Hotels in Oita Prefecture, Japan

Great location, but the hotel doesn't have its own dedicated parking. You have to park next door, and the entrance to that parking lot is a bit hidden. There aren't many convenience stores nearby; there's one within walking distance. However, the hotel staff's service attitude is excellent.

This was my second time at Hoshino, and I went with friends. Everything was excellent, from the service and facilities to the environment, cleanliness, and food. The entire building faces Beppu Bay, with a minimalist design that still feels warm. The abundant use of white space, wood, and natural light makes it feel like living in a breathing art museum. The public spaces are very quiet, even when the hotel is full, maintaining the consistent understated elegance of the ”Kai” series.

This hotel's 12th-floor ocean view twin room is very spacious. The large public bath is also a thoughtful touch, offering everything you need, and the lounge is very comfortable, providing complimentary drinks and snacks for guests to enjoy. I highly recommend it if you're bringing kids to Beppu; it's definitely worth staying a night!

This hotel has seven private hot springs, and I made sure to try each one. When I went, there were initially two empty ones, and after I used those, I moved on to the others until I had experienced all seven. There's also an eighth large hot spring, which felt like I had it all to myself – completely empty! So I enjoyed another soak there. They offer several types of shampoo, but the original one they provide is actually the best. The hotel also has seven hot spring pools, all modeled after natural springs. Plus, there are plenty of dining options nearby. They even post the sunrise times, and you can go up to watch it, though I missed it this morning. And they have Yakult! Anyway, everything was really great.

Celebrated 520 (May 20th) by booking a more upscale meal that day, and the experience was great ❤️. The location is fantastic! It's a 5-minute walk to Umi Jigoku (Sea Hell), so we went straight there after breakfast when it was less crowded. Regarding service, I have to say: it was the rainy season, and there were many staff members standing at the entrance, but they only bowed. It felt awkward watching adults and children run into the hotel in the rain to check in, and checking out involved carrying our own luggage in the rain too.

Everything was perfect in this hotel! Room is spacious and there are both indoor and outdoor private onsen in the room. The futon was the softest and most comfortable I’ve ever had in Japanese onsen hotels. Dinner was amazing and breakfast was good enough. It would be better if we can choose Japanese or Western style for breakfast. We was looking for grilled fish or sth in Japanese style. Will visit again definitely!

The environment was great, the food was delicious, and everything was perfect. It was also a great way to enjoy the outdoor family hot springs with your partner or spouse. If the weather is nice in the evening, you can even see the stars.

The room is fully equipped with amenities, so you can literally just bring yourself. The hot spring bathhouse has two indoor pools and one outdoor pool. Towels and a water dispenser are provided on-site, and there are lockers with electronic locks for your belongings. The massage service is available in-room, and the masseuses are very professional, meticulously asking about areas to focus on or avoid beforehand.

This was my first time staying at a hot spring ryokan, and I wasn't quite sure what to expect. Upon arrival, we were offered welcome tea and snacks, and they even helped us take our luggage to the room. Our stay included dinner and breakfast, and the meals were incredibly rich and delicious. The main course for dinner was Wagyu shabu-shabu. If you don't eat beef, you can inform them in advance. If you wait until the day of, there might be an additional charge. The room was huge, split over two floors. The bedroom was on the second floor, while the first floor mainly consisted of the living room and a private hot spring area. The private hot spring even had both indoor and outdoor sections, which was a fantastic experience. Since I don't speak Japanese and only a little English, they were very patient in translating everything during our interactions (check-in, meal explanations, etc.). When checking out, they escorted us to our car. During check-in, they also asked if we'd like a ride to Yufuin Station upon check-out, but since we had a private car, we didn't use that service, so I'm not sure if there's a charge for it. Overall, it was a wonderful experience.

The room is very close to the Beppu Kitahama bus stop, making it easily accessible by bus from Oita Airport. Check-in at 3 PM was smooth with the help of friendly staff. The lobby offers a 24-hour beverage machine with coffee, cocoa, and various cold drinks, all free to enjoy – that's a huge plus! The room itself is clean and bright, with a well-equipped kitchen (though the tableware isn't ceramic, which is a bit of a shame). It also includes a washing machine with detergent and a water dispenser. There's a balcony, which is a must-have for longer stays. The rooftop hot spring bath isn't large, but the water quality is excellent. The only drawback is that it's only free to use after 10 PM. A minor downside: the bed corners in the room are a bit sharp and easy to bump into, so be careful. Overall, the stay was excellent. Highly recommended!