SEKIYA RESORT Bettei Haruki

We had such a wonderful time with the private hot spring and delicious food. All the staff were friendly, and the food was excellent, truly Michelin-level. While it's not a large hot spring ryokan, it was perfect for quietly enjoying the onsen.

The private onsen bath was super relaxing! We had dinner and breakfast served in our room, and the meals were exquisite and delicious. My child absolutely loved the 'Pokémon big brother' (the staff member who chatted with him about Pokémon) – the service was so thoughtful! It was my child's first time staying in a hot spring hotel, and it was a truly special and memorable experience for him.

It's beautiful and tranquil, perfect for a relaxing stay if you're not planning to go out. However, it is a bit isolated if you do want to explore. The hotel is quite small, but it has everything you need – a true 'small but perfectly formed' experience.

I was a bit nervous after booking this hotel, but it turned out to be an excellent choice! The hotel is a traditional Japanese courtyard building with six rooms. It's about a 15-minute taxi ride from Beppu JR station. From the moment we entered the courtyard, we received a very warm welcome. Since we booked a room on the second floor, the staff kindly carried all our luggage to our room during check-in. You absolutely must try the dinner and breakfast included in the stay – it's incredibly good value for money! The food for both dinner and breakfast was absolutely delicious! Dinner was especially generous; we couldn't even finish it all. Plus, the wagyu beef served at dinner came with a special certificate, which was a fun touch 🤔 We arrived at the hotel at 3 PM and went straight to the hot springs after checking in. There are three private onsen: two outdoor and one indoor. I personally preferred the two outdoor ones; their design and layout are pretty similar, so either one is a great choice. You can also adjust the water temperature yourself, allowing you to soak for longer. Female guests can choose their favorite yukata at the front desk; the patterns are all beautiful and perfect for photos. The hotel's service was the best I experienced on this entire trip. The staff member who served us dinner and prepared our futons in the evening had a hearing impairment, yet they provided the most satisfying service my family and I received on this trip. Knowing I had to catch a train the next day, they proactively informed me that taxis in Beppu were currently in high demand and helped me pre-book one. I highly recommend this place for its private onsen, delicious food, and excellent service.

A wonderful family-run onsen ryokan with excellent service. One of the staff members spoke excellent English, which made communication very smooth. The food was also delicious. They have three private onsen baths – two semi-outdoor and one indoor – all incredibly comfortable and relaxing.

This was my first ryokan experience, and it was absolutely fantastic. The friendly staff, along with the delicious dinner and breakfast, left a lasting impression. I would love to come back and stay here again.