4-Star Hotels in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan

The room was quite spacious with a nice view, but the facilities are a bit dated. To get a completely dark room for sleeping, I had to switch off the main power switch by the door, which meant getting out of bed to turn off the remaining lights that were still on and glaring. The air conditioning was terrible; even on the lowest temperature and highest fan speed, I woke up several times at night feeling hot despite being under the covers. The buffet was just average.

For the price, this was a really average stay. The staff were average, as well as the food. The staff were friendly but they didn’t feel genuine. The Temple itself is very beautiful. The rooms are large, however the floor mattresses are completely worn out so you can actually feel the hard floor beneath you. I’ve stayed in a Ryokan before and their mattresses were still soft and comfortable so this Temples mattresses are definitely in need of an upgrade. Would I come here again? Probably not.

The hotel's environment is fantastic, and the entrance garden landscape is absolutely beautiful. The seaside corridor is also stunning, and there's a dedicated hot spring area for foot soaks. The public outdoor hot spring views are also great. The only downside of my trip was the room I booked, which was supposed to have an indoor hot tub, but it turned out to be just a regular bathtub. Although the staff explained that the water was indeed from a hot spring, it still felt disappointing, so I didn't use it. I contacted Ctrip customer service about it, and their handling of the issue was very satisfactory. However, the public bath was a delightful surprise; both the environment and the soaking experience were incredibly comfortable. I highly recommend the dinner buffet. Even though it's a buffet, the ingredients are fresh, and the variety is extensive. You can even grill your own food. The tempura was exceptionally delicious, and they had Haagen-Dazs ice cream! Breakfast, however, wasn't as lavish and was quite simple. Overall, I'd say I'm satisfied.

This was my first stay at this onsen hotel, and I had a great experience! The hotel is quite close to Kii-Katsuura JR Station, about a seven or eight-minute walk. The environment is nice, and the service is excellent! The room was spacious and faced the sea, so I fell asleep to the sound of waves every night. The only downside was that it rained during our visit, so visibility was poor, and it was foggy every day, but it didn't affect our plans. Both breakfast and dinner are set meals. You choose your preferred time, and they won't let you in even a minute early, as everything is already arranged. I initially thought the set meals wouldn't be filling enough, but they actually were – and very good! The ingredients were all super fresh. Each dish was exquisitely plated, and some looked simple but were surprisingly delicious once you tasted them. I even made a seafood miso soup with rice, which was absolutely divine! The hot springs are on the second floor. From the outdoor bath, you can stand up and see the Pacific Ocean. Soaking in the bath with the sea breeze blowing was incredibly comfortable! Every night from 9 PM to 10:30 PM, they serve tantanmen noodles. We tried the savory, sesame-flavored one, which was quite unique. I'd never had anything like it, and it was really tasty!

The room was a bit smaller than I expected, and the facilities were a little dated. However, the sea view was absolutely breathtaking – it was so refreshing to open the curtains to that sight. The hotel offers direct access to Shirahama Beach from its first floor, which was super convenient for swimming and watching fireworks. It's also very close to the dining street and Daiso, making shopping and eating incredibly easy. The bus stop is just a minute's walk from the main entrance, making it easy to get to attractions. The breakfast was great, with a wide variety of options, including both Japanese and buffet styles. The hotel service was excellent – the staff were warm, attentive, and always ready to help with anything we needed.

This hotel was our last stop before heading to Kansai Airport, and it seems many others use it as a convenient layover point before their flight. It's incredibly easy to get to the airport from here; it's about a 7-8 minute walk, just two or three intersections away, to a Wakayama Airport Limousine Bus stop. Personally, I find the airport bus more convenient than the Shinkansen because you can hand your luggage directly to the driver instead of lugging it around. The airport bus costs 1400 JPY and takes approximately 30-40 minutes to reach Kansai Airport, which is actually more convenient than traveling from central Osaka. Secondly, this hotel, though small, has everything you need. Its bathrooms, both indoor and outdoor, are spotless. The breakfast spread offers a wide variety of choices, including sashimi and seafood rice bowls. Everything is presented in small portions, but it's all very clean and delicious. The hotel provides a map showing nearby attractions. After a bath, complimentary ramen is offered – we didn't try it, so I can't comment on the taste. There are also ice pops. I particularly recommend the room type I chose because it has a split bathroom layout. The vanity is outside, while the toilet and shower room are enclosed. As many know, some Japanese bathrooms are tiny, with everything crammed into one small space, making it impossible for two people to use at once for washing up and using the toilet. But this bathroom is separated, and it even has a small door that can be pulled shut to create a partition between the wash area and the sleeping area. This is ideal for guests with different schedules. This was a twin room, and it was quite spacious, with enough room to open up our suitcases. All in all, I highly recommend this hotel and this particular room type.

The room was spacious and bright, though the immediate surroundings were a bit quiet. We enjoyed delicious tuna at the nearby Dayu restaurant. It's a convenient 10-minute walk from the station, offering easy access to Damenban and the Grand Waterfall. The beach is also nearby, and Xiaohuangdao offers plenty of waves. Enjoying fishing and leisurely strolls was incredibly relaxing, making it well worth another stay.

The hotel staff was very welcoming and accommodate all our needs. Though it is not close to from main street and restaurants of the town, and maybe not so new and fancy as other hotels in town, we really enjoyed our stay. The hotel has very specious rooms and great sea views! It also has a secluded lounge for the guests where you can bring your drinks and food if you want to catch up with your friends outside the room, that was very nice for our group, we could enjoy our time there (not many hotels have this!). The manager (hotel owner?) has gone far beyond and even organised our breakfast for 7 people for takeaway when he heard that we have to leave early. They quickly put it in a recyclable furoshiki (Japanese way to pack the bento lunches), it was so sweet of them! When eating this breakfast on a train I could tell it was the best breakfast we had during our stays in the hotels. I definitely recommend staying in this small hotel with high level of service!

The hotel's location is fantastic, right above Nankai Station, making it super convenient for getting to and from Osaka. Plus, the bus to Kuroshio Market is just downstairs! It's a shame it rained both days I was there, so I didn't get to enjoy the hot springs. But the views from the hotel are absolutely amazing!

Oooedo Onsen Monogatari: Not a Resort, a Rebirth* This isn't just a hot spring resort; it's a portal to another dimension. From the moment you swap your clothes for a yukata, the magic begins. You are no longer a tourist; you are a traveler in time. The ryokan experience is pure bliss. Waking up on tatami mats, the world outside feels distant, irrelevant. And the onsens... from open-air baths under the stars to secluded rock pools. Each immersion strips away a layer of urban fatigue, leaving only tranquility. But the true glory is the indulgence. Exquisite kaiseki dinners featuring the ocean's freshest treasures, paired with all-you-can-drink sake, beer, and whisky. It’s a feast for the soul where you never have to say ”no.” You don't just leave this place relaxed. You leave reborn, carrying the taste of a life lived more fully, if only for a weekend. It’s an investment in your soul.