Hoshino Resorts Kai Beppu

It was unfortunate that I did not read the reviews probably before making the booking. If I had, I would not have booked this hotel. As many others have pointed out, this is essentially an average Japanese business hotel standard of service (maybe worse than the standard as they are understaffed and staff seem disinterested in general), but charged at 4 to 5 star price. Of course rooms are big and the view is great, with good food provided. But that’s all I can say about the positive things about this hotel. However, if I am paying several hundreds of dollars for a night, I would expect a lot more than these. At the bare minimum, we are in Japan, and the service should at least meet the standard of business hotels. But in Kai Hoshino Beppu, I was denied simple requests such as 1) to have extra bottle of water as I finished drinking the bottle in the room (not mineral water, it is a refillable bottle of water. I was told to drink directly from the tap in the toilet instead, as Japanese tap water is drinkable. Of course I know some countries have drinkable tap water (I come from one myself), but people have their preferences and I think I deserve to be respected in that matter, especially in a hotel! And 2) I was told not to play the game in the lobby as I did not bring the “map” given at check in and I am not allowed to play unless I bring the map down. Well, I just shrugged my shoulder and left. It’s not a super fun game that I would bother to go up and down just to play it. If I am walking around in their lobby in their own room wear, I don’t see the point of presenting the map to them to prove that I am a hotel guest. Examples are plenty and I shall not write too long. Bottom line: do not stay in this hotel unless you have nowhere better to spend your money, but even if that’s the case, there are much better other options in beppu or yufuin where your money will be better spent. This hotel has no proper service, the attitude of the staff (especially those in the reception) is lukewarm and occasionally cold. I will NEVER visit this hotel again. And this in fact has a negative impact on my impression of Hoshino group in general.

The view is superb and the footbath facing the sea is so relaxing. The room is spacious with comfortable tatami, but lighting is not quite enough at night.

I was worried because there are many bad reviews. It turned out it wasn't that bad, though I doubt if it is worth the high price overall. The location is good, conveniently located near Kitahama bus service centre and Beppu Station. Locating the entrance is a challenge, especially when you are with luggage. The hotel staff a nice, but I can picture that if you dun speak a bit of Japanese, it might be a bit hard to communicate with the staff. The overall environment is nice, clean room and nice private onsen bath. A curtain is appropriate in the balcony for more privacy. It is a bit dark, both inside the room and in the corridor. Dining is nice, great food. know it's a common practice to have set time for dinner and breakfast, but as a first time visitor to Oita, the 5:30pm dinner time was too early for me. However, the 7:30pm was fully booked on my first day of visit. Breakfast started at 7:30 and it's too late for me to catch the train so I can visit Harmonyland. There could be more flexibility for dining options and time, considering the high price guests are charged. There are many activities and I love the outdoor footbath and the free coffee and tea service at the travelers' library. I would still recommend the hotel to visitors to Beppu.

Spacious room, nice Onsen setting, absolutely a highlight of our family trip!

I had the best experience ever as you provide the best hotel lab workshop and night event for hotel guests.

Great hotel