Kobe Hotels with Breakfast

The room was quite spacious, and the massage chair was a pleasant surprise – very comfortable to use. The room introduction was quite detailed, and it was my first time experiencing a traditional Japanese onsen ryokan. The tatami mats were interesting, and I slept well. The entire hotel felt like a museum; despite its age, it had a lot of character. I felt like I got a deeper understanding of Japanese culture, which I really appreciated. The service, apart from being led to our room with traditional Japanese bows and the room introduction, was mostly self-service. However, this was my first time staying at a 'one night, two meals' ryokan, so I'm not sure if all onsens are like this. We also didn't have large luggage, just our bags, so maybe that's why we didn't notice any issues with luggage service. On a positive note, the front desk immediately knew which pair of shoes were ours when we checked out, which was good service. On the downside, the room's air conditioning unit was so well hidden that it took ages to find, and I was cold for quite a while. The phone either didn't work or I couldn't figure out how to use it. Also, we booked the private onsen from 8 PM to 9:30 PM. After relaxing for a bit, it was already close to 11 or 12. The public onsen closed from 12 AM to 1 AM, so we couldn't use it. We needed about 8 or 9 hours of sleep, and breakfast was scheduled for 9 AM. After breakfast, from 9:30 AM to 11 AM, the public onsen was closed. When we asked, the front desk informed us that check-out was strictly at 11 AM and we couldn't use the public onsen after checking out. So, we missed out on the public onsen, which was a real shame and couldn't be negotiated. In any five-star hotel in any country I've traveled to, it's usually possible to discuss using facilities after check-out. But it seems traditional onsen ryokans are all this rigid. While that might be how Japanese people are, for a hotel of this price, and for clearly inexperienced foreigners (we were even reminded we wore our kimonos the wrong way), when asking about meal times, couldn't they have kindly informed us that we needed to plan our breakfast, dinner, and onsen times accordingly? The food was light and flavorful. I don't eat seafood, and they were able to adjust the meals to my preferences. Communication two months prior was very responsive. However, for us, it was a bit too plain; Japanese people would probably love it. This was my first trip with my husband after giving birth, and I had been looking forward to the onsen part for a long time. I was very happy on the check-in day, but not being able to use the public onsen on the second day was still a big regret.

No major issues, just a bit small. It's right next to a Starbucks and very close to Kobe Sannomiya, including the airport bus stop. Daimaru department store is also nearby, making it super convenient for dining, entertainment, and shopping. The breakfast is quite basic, so you might want to try some local food outside instead.

I don't speak Japanese, only a little English, so I was worried I wouldn't understand the check-in explanation. To my surprise, I actually understood it, and the staff member who explained everything was very thoughtful with their language. There's a shuttle service, and if you don't speak Japanese and want the driver to pick you up, you can ask for help at the Arima Town Tourist Information Center.

The room was quite spacious and had two chairs, and the bathroom had no steps, which was convenient for the elderly. There's a good rotating sushi restaurant right next to the hotel. The easiest way to get to the hotel from Kansai Airport is by express bus; it's a 70-minute ride, and you can buy tickets at self-service kiosks at gate 6.

This hotel is quite close to JR Sannomiya, Hankyu Department Store, and the bus stop for Kansai Airport, though you'll need to cross a couple of traffic lights. It's a bit further from the bus stop where you arrive from Kansai Airport in Kobe and the bus stop for Arima Onsen, but overall it's acceptable, as Kobe is small and walking with luggage isn't a problem. Montbell and Patagonia are just a 2-minute walk away. It's an older hotel, but the exterior is very grand. The foreign front desk staff speak excellent English. You can store your luggage on the day of check-out and also before check-in. For under 300 [currency, e.g., Yen/CNY] without breakfast, it's fantastic value for money for a one-night stay.

Even though the hotel is a bit older, the rooms are very well-maintained and the service is incredibly warm and welcoming. The breakfast offers a wide variety of choices, and the hotel's location is excellent. You can easily walk to the Nunobiki Herb Garden and Kitano-cho, plus Shin-Kobe Station is right nearby.

This hotel offers good value for money. The front desk lady was very helpful; she even allowed us to check in early when my family member wasn't feeling well. The room wasn't too small, there was enough space to open a 28-inch suitcase. The hotel's location is excellent, right across from where the airport bus drops you off, and very close to Sannomiya Station. There are many restaurants nearby. The only minor issue is that due to road construction, you have to access the hotel through an inconspicuous alleyway, which is easy to miss if you're not paying attention.

Not sure what has happened to Japan standard in the past couple of years but had called the hotel to confirm that linens are scent free (standard in Japan before) and was told yes. Unfortunately they are not, this new laundry detergent that is slowly spreading throughout Japan is absolutely horrible causing all sorts of allergic reactions (not only to me.) I start having rashes, compromised breathing, and inflammation issues. If it’s the same detergent used back in America, then it might be eco-friendly, but definitely not human friendly. I truly hope that Japan goes back to the way it was before the introduction of some western products filled with harmful chemicals to humans. It is not because you don’t react to it that it is not harming your body, it’s only a question of time and when it does, you won’t know why and there is no turning back. Take it from an Asian American born who was the biggest fan of American marketed products. We do have good products like ECOLAB, which is both, sustainable for the environment without compromising human health. Maybe laundry company should look into that company or simply return to Japanese products before. Good thing thing their pyjama are still scent free so I had to wrap the bed and cover with their pyjama to get through the night.

The location is great, just a 7 to 10-minute walk from Sannomiya in the city center. Breakfast at Matsuya next door to the hotel offered four good options. Most importantly, the price was very reasonable, and the room size was decent for a solo traveler. Overall, it's a good accommodation choice in Kobe. Ctrip's hotel navigation was slightly off, taking me to the back entrance, but it's actually right on the main street, and the location is excellent.

Perfect quiet onsen resort to unwind and relax. The kaiseki dinner was a highlight and buffet breakfast offered a great variety. Onsen is not too big, not crowded during our stay but probably will if it gets busy. The room was a decent size with good air conditioning and being away from the busy streets made for a peaceful stay. The only downside was the bathtub leaked whenever we showered. Free parking is available, though it’s located underneath the property so it’s best to drop off your bags first if you have a lot of luggage.