Arima Onsen Tocen Goshobo

Cleanliness: The room had bugs; I killed 3 on the first night. Service: The service was very thoughtful. They helped carry luggage into the room and even set up the tatami. At check-out, they proactively helped take luggage to the front desk. Facilities: It's a very old wooden house. You can't make loud noises at night, as it genuinely disturbs others. Environment: It's very close to Arima Onsen Station, about a 5-minute walk, right in the center of the hot spring town. Overall, it's very convenient.

The hotel staff provided incredibly attentive and thoughtful service, and the rooms were well-appointed and very comfortable. The Japanese aesthetic was beautifully reflected throughout the architecture, rooms, dining, and service, making for a truly fantastic experience. Its location is also superb, being very close to both bus and subway stations, which makes shopping incredibly convenient.

Gosho-bo is conveniently located right next to an orange souvenir shop, a common stop on the way from Kyoto to Arima. Upon check-in, guests are asked to change into slippers for use throughout the ryokan. The luggage service is excellent; they bring your bags to your room upon arrival and down to the lobby after check-out, saving you the effort of carrying them up or down stairs. Both breakfast and dinner were generous and delicious. The restaurant boasts a charmingly retro atmosphere, with a vintage feel that is impeccably maintained. The public Kinsen (Golden Spring) bath was wonderful. It's a semi-mixed bath, and my skin felt incredibly smooth after soaking. However, a family member who was with me developed mild allergic reactions like peeling skin and red spots.

Excellent service, and the staff spoke good English. The location was fantastic, right in the heart of the hot spring town. Both breakfast and dinner were delicious. We booked the private onsen for 5500 JPY; it's located in a separate annex, not the main building, and features 'Kinsenyu' (Golden Spring) water. Be aware that the main building's public onsen for men and women is only separated by a thin partition, making it essentially a mixed-gender bath. Our room was spacious but rather dim, and the soundproofing was poor. Noisy guests upstairs kept us awake until late, and morning traffic from the road added to the disturbance, preventing us from getting a good night's sleep. This was really the only drawback. The actual check-out time is 11 AM, but Ctrip (携程) incorrectly states 10 AM; this should definitely be updated.