Hotels With Spa in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan

This onsen hotel in Shirahama-cho, Wakayama Prefecture, is primarily renowned for its breathtaking 'ocean view hot springs.' Boasting open-air, mixed-gender baths directly facing the Pacific Ocean, the panoramic views are truly spectacular, and the experience of soaking in the springs with the sea right in front of you is unforgettable—a timeless signature feature. Additionally, the hotel offers several 'kashikiri-buro' (private hot springs) that require queuing for a key, adding an option for more private bathing. However, in other aspects of the experience, the hotel generally falls short, failing to fully match the grandeur of its views: • **Mediocre Service**: Compared to the meticulous and heartfelt 'omotenashi' (hospitality) typical of traditional Japanese ryokans, Haishu's service feels more process-driven and standardized. While the staff are polite, they lack proactiveness, giving it the feel of a large resort rather than a cozy private inn. • **Many Elderly Guests**: The hotel is very popular among older tourists, which contributes to a lively and mainstream atmosphere, lacking some of the tranquility and elegance one might desire. If you're seeking a quiet getaway for two, you might find the environment a bit noisy. • **Unremarkable Dining**: Reviews for both dinner (kaiseki cuisine) and breakfast, included in the 'one night, two meals' package, are generally 'average.' Although local specialties (like Kishu plums and Kumano beef) are highlighted, the actual taste and presentation are only mediocre. It's worth noting that it's 'not as bad as some online comments suggest,' falling within an acceptable range, but it doesn't offer any surprises and falls short of the dining standards found in top-tier onsen ryokans. **Summary**: If you're going solely for the stunning ocean-view hot springs, Haishu is definitely worth a stay—the natural scenery there is unparalleled. However, if you have high expectations for service details, dining quality, or a quiet atmosphere, this hotel might only offer an 'average' experience, and you should adjust your expectations accordingly.

The location is absolutely fantastic. It's right at Wakayama-shi Station, which is the terminus of the Nankai Line. From here, you can catch a direct train to Osaka Namba, arriving in about an hour, and usually find a seat to relax during the journey. I forgot to take pictures of the room, but it was definitely spacious enough, especially compared to typical rooms in Osaka or Tokyo. The rooftop bath was also a wonderful highlight.

It was my first experience of Japanese hot springs and I enjoyed it a lot. First of all, I'd like to thank a male staff who met me during check-in. He welcomed me warmly, explained all the details of my stay and helped to carry my bag to the room. Unfortunately, the female personnel wasn't that much friendly the next day when I asked for some help with my luggage. The rooms have a splendid view of a forest and a river, old style Japanese but with some modern facilities. The meal aren't a traditional Ryokan type but are still quite enjoyable with sushi and wagyu beef as a starter. In general, I can say it's a mix of traditional Japanese and moredn western style hotel in one. If you're lucky and avoid the days when the hotel is crowded you'd be able to enjoy the river view from the onsed in quiet. Unfortunately, the water in the outdoor wasn't as clear as I expected. But the rest was just amazing.

We've stayed at Dormy Inn in many locations across Japan, and our entire family loves it. Although the rooms at Dormy Inn are typically quite small, they offer incredible value for money. Being able to soak in a hot spring every day after returning exhausted is a particularly worthwhile experience. The hotel provides complimentary ice cream, Yakult, and massage chairs. Plus, at 9:30 PM, they even offer free soy sauce ramen. These added perks are definitely a major draw. Personally, I find Dormy Inn's breakfasts to be excellent across Japan, with the exception of Tokyo, which is just average. They always incorporate local specialties, with dishes like beef bowls, natto, and onsen eggs being prime examples. The Dormy Inn in Wakayama even offered cantaloupe, which was a delightful surprise, especially considering a single wedge of Yubari melon in Hokkaido can cost 25 RMB.

It is a wonderful resort hotel. free flow of wine and drinks. Excellent for fam5with small kids as the breakfast is no doubt kids favourites.The room is very big and nice withe Excellent Seaview 👍

We took the bus from Kieda Just a car to the opposite of the hotel Once in the hotel, the smell of wood is fragrant Although the hotel has been around for years But still keep it clean. The hotel focuses on his dinner buffet and breakfast buffet It takes a few days to eat all the food  Really super style, and everything tastes good There is also a buffet, there is actually a roast meat question  Super appreciated 

I was in Osaka for the weekend and decided to take a spontaneous trip to Wakayama and Shirahama. To my surprise, hotel prices in Shirahama had significantly increased, and some were even fully booked. I figured it might be due to Halloween. The Shirahama Marriott is one of the few international chain hotels in Wakayama, located right next to the famous Shirarahama Beach. The price wasn't too outrageous, so I quickly booked a package that included dinner and breakfast (one night, two meals). Overall, it offered decent value for money. We arrived in Shirahama quite late. It was less than a 10-minute taxi ride from the JR station. Check-in was quick, and they acknowledged my Marriott membership, but unfortunately, there were no benefits offered, which felt a bit stingy 😅. I booked a basic city view room. It was indeed a rare spacious room for Japan and quite clean. However, we were given the lowest floor with no view to speak of, and there was a slight, odd smell in the room. While it wasn't a major issue, it did detract a bit from the experience. The dinner included in the package was a Japanese Kaiseki meal, which was excellent. Each dish was served with a strong sense of ceremony, and although the portions were small, the presentation, plating, and taste were all superb. There weren't many guests in the evening; only 2-3 tables were occupied in the large restaurant, making for a quiet and enjoyable meal. But I wondered, if the hotel was full, where did all the other guests eat? 😂 Breakfast was a Western-style buffet with a good selection, including some Japanese dishes. The taste was average, but it was perfectly fine for a filling meal. The hotel's top floor features a public onsen bathhouse and private onsen rooms. I visited both in the morning and evening. There weren't many guests. The onsen had both indoor and outdoor pools, which were very pleasant for soaking in the early autumn weather, as it wasn't too cold outside. From both the onsen and the adjacent relaxation area, you could see the beautiful Shirarahama Beach in the distance. I went up early the next morning to watch the sunrise. The sunrise itself was good, but the morning glow was absolutely stunning. Under the dazzling fiery clouds, the sea was tinged red, gently lapping against the pure white sand. It's only a 3-4 minute walk from the Marriott to the beach. The beach is beautiful, not very long, with a perfect bay shape, and the sand is incredibly white and fine. It's so clean that it almost feels unreal. A stroll along the beach is nice; Engetsu Island isn't far and is worth seeing. Along the coast, there are several free public foot onsen, and the historic Sakinoyu Outdoor Onsen is just a short walk further.

Mecure, time to lift your game! It’s summer in Japan and the swimming pool is empty & closed.?? Surrounding landscaped areas not well maintained. Rooms & corridors delight you with a musty aged smell that takes time getting used to. Positives: View of surrounding coastline excellent, sunrise beautiful. Room’s good size. Buffet Breakfast decent with options Afternoon & Evening free snacks & drinks a bonus. Negs: Customer service adequate but can’t say a lot of enthusiasm. Room & corridor’s musty The place needs renovation Need car for access hotel. No pool operating in summer???

room and onsen is clear and comfortable lobby staff told me the starting dinner time is wrong but at last they special to remake the dinner food for us (5 persons) we're so happy about their staff service very nice and helpful we will choose this hotel again

The view is stunning, but taking the bus to Oura Station means you have to drag your suitcases up a bit, or catch the 6:00 PM shuttle bus from Shirahama Station. It's worth checking the shuttle bus schedule beforehand; the last one seems to be around 5:00 PM. The bathroom facilities are a bit dated, but the other services are good. With fewer Chinese tourists, it's mostly Japanese families with children. The indoor pool is a bit small, mostly occupied by the children. The breakfast was okay and filling, a typical hotel buffet, but they do offer mentaiko and tuna. On the way back, the hotel booked a taxi to the airport, which took 10 minutes. It's a bit far from Shirarahama, Senjojiki, and Sandanbeki, so it's best to get a timetable and have change ready if you're taking the bus.