Compared to Kyoto, the Monterey in Kobe offers much better service. Sona is quite small, and lately, there's been too much of a Korean presence there. Although the hotel is a short walk from the station, it's still easy to find. There is indeed a red-light district nearby, making it a bit noisy and messy (though understandable). The room layout is reasonable, the TV supports screen mirroring, and the toiletries are generously provided, with the DHC lotion being particularly good. Don Quijote is just a short walk away, and it's very convenient to get to Sannomiya Station and Kitano Ijinkan (home to the famous 'Life Toast' and the 70-year-old coffee shop), all within walking distance. The breakfast selection is rich and delicious, with the bread being a pleasant surprise.
On a side note, you should definitely avoid the Monterey in Kyoto. Their unfriendliness towards Chinese guests is blatant, especially from the middle-aged Japanese female receptionist! She denied us available rooms unless we insisted and argued on the spot. She also reneged on a promised room type change, even rolling her eyes when a colleague confirmed it with her.🙄
Hotel near Arima Onsen Hotspring,Kobe35.3% of visitors choose this area
GGuest User2025.11.22
Like the quaint yet very elaborate ryokan style of living. The onsen may not be as big and fancy as in noboribetsu but it is still comfortable. I subscribed to their dinner and breakfast which was pretty good. I definitely live the wooden bathtub in my room. They have shuttle services to and from Arima Onsen region. The only complain I have is the weak wifi.
This Japanese hotel is truly impressive! The service is meticulous and attentive, and the rooms are clean, cozy, and equipped with modern facilities. The location is convenient, yet quiet and safe. The Japanese breakfast is exquisite and delicious, and the staff are warm and professional. It was a very comfortable and pleasant stay, highly recommended!
 During my trip to Kinosaki Onsen, I chose to stay at the Kiraku Hotel. The overall experience was very good and I gave it a 4-star rating. The following is my experience of staying here for your reference.
Rooms and Facilities
The hotel has an elegant environment and is full of the atmosphere of a Japanese hot spring hotel. The rooms are clean and tidy, and the hot spring facilities are very comfortable, allowing people to completely relax. However, when I checked in, I found a small stain on the bed sheet, which slightly affected my first impression. Fortunately, after contacting the service staff, they quickly changed the bed sheet and handled it professionally, which made me feel at ease.
Dining Experience
Dinner and breakfast were the highlights of this stay! The kaiseki cuisine for dinner was exquisite and delicious. Each dish showed the freshness and care of local ingredients, especially the seafood dishes, which were memorable. The breakfast was also rich, offering a variety of Japanese and Western options, with high quality, which made people feel good early in the morning. Overall, the dining experience was excellent and was definitely a big plus for the hotel.
Service Quality
In terms of service, the staff was friendly, but the overall service could only be said to be average. The check-in and check-out process was smooth, but when I occasionally needed to actively seek assistance, the service staff responded a little slowly, and felt a little lacking in initiative. For this price, I originally expected more detailed service, but overall it was still acceptable.
Summary
Kinosaki Onsen Kiraku Hotel is a recommended hotel, especially for travelers who like hot springs and food. Although the service has room for improvement, the high-quality dining and comfortable environment made this stay still satisfactory. If the service details can be improved in the future, I believe it will be more perfect!
#城崎温泉 #喜乐旅店 #温泉旅店 #日本旅行
We had an absolutely wonderful stay at this hotel. From the moment we arrived, everything about the check-in experience was smooth and professional.
Special thanks to Hiro, who assisted us during check-in. He was extremely professional, spoke excellent English, and gave us a very clear and thorough explanation about the hotel facilities and our room. His service made us feel very welcome and comfortable right away.
The room was beautiful, clean, and well prepared, and all the facilities were exactly as described. Honestly, everything about this hotel - from the service to the atmosphere - was close to perfect.
This was one of the best hotel check-in experiences we've had. We would definitely stay here again and highly recommend this hotel to others.
Hotel near Awaji Island,Minamiawaji6% of visitors choose this area
GGuest User2025.07.21
I'm fairly certain this hotel used to be the Daiwa Royal Hotel. I've stayed here many times before, even under its previous name, but this was my first visit since the rebranding. Considering the high price, the amenities provided were quite basic. On a positive note, the complimentary drinks and snacks were a nice touch.
The most significant disappointment was the 50-minute wait for breakfast. Had this not been an issue, my stay would have been far more satisfactory. During peak times, such as the busy summer holiday season, I strongly suggest they consider expanding the breakfast area or increasing its capacity. Despite the wait, the breakfast itself was absolutely fantastic. Unfortunately, this lengthy delay significantly impacted our sightseeing plans for the day.
Hotel near Arima Onsen Hotspring,Kobe35.3% of visitors choose this area
GGuest User2024.06.01
Arriving at night, you'll need to walk for around 10 minutes from the train station to reach the hotel. They offer a free ride to the station only after check-out, so if you want to explore the area before leaving, you'll need to store your luggage at the station. The hotel is overall very nice, comfortable, and offers a substantial breakfast.
Hotel near Arima Onsen Hotspring,Kobe35.3% of visitors choose this area
GGuest User2025.12.13
A heartwarming and thoughtful mountain hotel experience.
This hotel stay completely exceeded my expectations. From the moment I arrived, I felt a deep sense of genuine hospitality – there was a dedicated shuttle service directly from the station to the hotel, saving me the hassle of dragging my luggage around.
The next day, I planned to explore the hot spring town at the foot of the mountain. The hotel proactively offered to store my luggage and deliver it to the station at the bottom of the mountain at the agreed time, completely freeing up my hands. The food was surprisingly delicious, with fresh ingredients and thoughtful pairings. The room was clean and comfortable, meticulously cleaned daily, and the common areas were also spotless.
The service throughout was attentive yet unobtrusive. From the shuttle arrangements to the luggage storage, everything was efficient and heartwarming. It's truly perfect for travelers planning a hot spring trip. I'll definitely choose this place again on my next visit.
This hotel is seriously the best! Kazuki San made our trip absolutely amazing. He was so helpful with everything. He is nice and talkative. His family was super friendly too, which made us feel so welcome. We loved every minute of our stay. It truly felt magical, like something out of a dream. Thanks for the gift and photos. This hotel's art gallery is seriously impressive. They've got some amazing pieces on display. And breakfast in the cafe feels great. We can't wait to come back again. Highly recommend this place to everyone!
My best stay during my honeymoon trip to Japan. Booked this room because of the private onsen in the room. Inside there are 4 rooms but we're only 2 people 😆 Location a bit secluded, but the provide shuttle so no worries
This is the fourth time I have stayed here. When you come to Kinosaki, you must stay at Tajimaya. The warm hospitality from the proprietress and the staff, as well as the rich accommodation and two meals, were very satisfying. Please note that each room can only accommodate one child under 6 years old
The staff were very nice. They even gave us a ride when they saw us walking to the station. The room has a very nice view even if it was ROH. We only had breakfast with our plan but it was a good deal. The onsen is also good. We’ll definitely go back and recommend to friends.
It was a very pleasant as usual. I love this hotel and you won’t disappoint. The hotel is very clean and has all the facilities what you need while you are travelling. The temples were not far from the hotel.
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