Hoshino Resorts Kai Beppu

The rooms are spacious with expansive views, and the included meals are delicious. The design details are great! My only minor gripe is the rice portions – one night they gave two pots of rice for five people, which was way too much to finish.

Hoshino Resorts KAI Beppu | Immersed in Japanese Aesthetics, Ocean-View Onsen is Super Healing— The hotel environment is clean and tidy, and the Japanese bathhouse, in particular, is much more tranquil and spotless than many Japanese ryokans; it's truly in a different league. There's not a speck of dust in any corner, and the bathrooms, tatami mats, and floor-to-ceiling windows are all sparkling clean and clear, perfect for germaphobes. The architecture is modern Japanese style, designed by Kengo Kuma. The wooden corridors and washi paper lanterns create a fantastic ambiance. All guest rooms directly face Beppu Bay, offering a stunning 'picture frame' view to watch the sunrise over the ocean from your bed. However, the room type I booked did not include a private onsen. The public hot springs are divided into indoor and open-air sections; the saline onsen water is incredibly smooth, leaving you feeling completely soothed and relaxed after a soak. There's also a free foot bath in the lobby, perfect for resting your feet and enjoying the sea view anytime. The service upholds Hoshino's consistently meticulous and thoughtful standards. The staff are gentle and polite, assisting with check-in, explaining in-house activities, and there are even evening performances and local cultural experiences. The hotel shop offers a good selection of local specialty souvenirs to purchase. Transportation is also very convenient, just a ten-minute walk from Beppu Station. The hotel is located by the coast, making it easy to stroll and explore the seaside promenade. The 'one night, two meals' kaiseki dinner features exquisite local seafood and ingredients from Oita, presented beautifully with a delicate and refined flavor. For breakfast, you can choose between Japanese and Western options. The Japanese breakfast includes a 'jigoku mushi' set meal with a rich variety, offering a balanced combination of fresh fish, steamed vegetables, and miso soup. Tip: Be sure to book your breakfast time well in advance with the hotel, otherwise an early slot can be quite inconvenient.

This was my second stay here. I encountered an unhelpful and uncommunicative front desk staff member who seemed quite rigid. They assigned me a very noisy room with an extremely loud air conditioner. Initially, they were unwilling to change it. After I complained to the platform, and after a long discussion, they finally moved me to a different room. Although they did change it, my mood was quite spoiled. For such a high-end and expensive hotel, catering to what I assume are high-end guests, there are still many details that need improvement.

This hotel is absolutely fantastic, everything was just perfect! They offer so many engaging activities that you could easily spend your entire trip here without ever getting bored. The environment is so comfortable and the views are incredible – I even caught the sunrise in the morning. Truly a flawless experience!

This Hoshino Kai hotel meets the usual high standards of the chain, and its direct ocean view is a big plus. The food, however, was just okay—nothing special compared to other Kaiseki meals I've had elsewhere. My mom even said she wasn't full. The small ice cream was delicious though! The staff's English was pretty good, and they were very enthusiastic when communicating.

This was my second time at Hoshino, and I went with friends. Everything was excellent, from the service and facilities to the environment, cleanliness, and food. The entire building faces Beppu Bay, with a minimalist design that still feels warm. The abundant use of white space, wood, and natural light makes it feel like living in a breathing art museum. The public spaces are very quiet, even when the hotel is full, maintaining the consistent understated elegance of the "Kai" series.