The Gran Resort Arima

This is a well-established local hotel that's remarkably well-maintained and spotlessly clean. They offer both Japanese-style and Western-style rooms, both excellent choices. The spacious public bath on the 5th floor is very comfortable; as the hotel wasn't crowded during our stay, we practically had it to ourselves every day. Just under a kilometer behind the hotel, there's a cable car station providing direct access to Mount Rokko, which is incredibly convenient for sightseeing. In the evenings, a delightful summer festival was also held nearby.

The hotel is located on a slope behind Arima Onsen street. The actual distance isn't far, probably just over 800 meters if you take a leisurely walk through the hot spring town. While there are many hotels on this slope, carrying luggage uphill can be a bit tiring. So, I'd recommend contacting the hotel in advance (or via Ctrip) for their pickup service. A hotel shuttle will quickly pick you up from Arima Onsen Station, and the ride takes only about five minutes. The hotel is situated by the Rokko River. The rooms have been renovated and are quite clean. There's a Japanese-Korean izakaya on the first floor, open from 5 PM to 11 PM. This is very convenient, especially considering that many restaurants in the hot spring town tend to close early. I must especially praise their hot springs! They offer both 'Gold' (Kinsen) and 'Silver' (Ginsen) springs. Guests are generally well-spaced out, so there's often no one else around when you're bathing – many times, I had the springs entirely to myself. The springs are absolutely fantastic, making it completely unnecessary to pay to visit the 'Gold Spring' in the main hot spring town, as the spring sources are reportedly the same. Arima Onsen street isn't very large; you can comfortably explore the entire area in about an hour. If you have some spare time, you could also go for a hike in the mountains behind. All in all, the hot springs are the definite highlight here.

The front desk staff were very welcoming and helpful. The hotel was spotlessly clean and offered excellent value for money. There's an izakaya on the first floor where you can grab a meal, and on the fifth floor, guests can enjoy the hotel's own hot spring bath (onsen). It's perfect for family trips.

The hot springs were fantastic, and the hotel was very quiet. They offer station pickup/drop-off, making it a perfect place to relax and unwind.