Kobe Spa Hotels

This was our first stay, and we were greeted immediately upon arrival and received kind support throughout our stay, making us feel at ease. We enjoyed making marshmallow sandwiches over a campfire, riding on the swings, and watching the adorable sheep roaming freely on the grounds. Just outside the front door, we could see the sheep, and the children enjoyed feeding and petting them, giving them experiences they wouldn't normally have. The air conditioning in the guest rooms was comfortable, allowing us to relax in a warm space, enjoy the view outside, and sip wine. We would definitely like to stay again. Next time, I'd like to try the hot tub.

I booked this hotel because it was touted as one of Asia's top 100 onsen hotels for 2025. However, apart from the hot springs being decent, every other aspect of the service was a massive letdown. To begin with, both the kaiseki dinner and the breakfast the following day were truly subpar. The room was dreadfully small. Furthermore, despite inquiring about kimonos (as there were none in the room) with both the front desk manager and a server, who assured us they would send them up shortly and even took our sizes, not a single kimono materialized by the time we checked out the next day. We paid over 7,000 RMB for a family tatami room for four, including breakfast and dinner. At this price point, anyone staying here is simply getting ripped off. There will absolutely not be a second visit, and I also sensed a certain unfriendliness towards Chinese guests.

The hotel's food is excellent, the environment and location are very good, and the shuttle service is very fast, but the hotel does not have a separate hot spring bath, and the pillows in the room are of the same specification, with no choice, which is not very friendly to people who are used to hard pillows.

Chinese-speaking staff at check-in and during meals were a definite plus. This hotel offers great value for money, with spacious榻榻米 rooms. The rooftop onsen, featuring both gold and silver baths, was a fantastic experience. The price included both breakfast and dinner, and the meals were very traditional Japanese; some dishes were delicious, while others weren't quite to my taste.

I booked a corner suite, and the room was huge with an amazing view. It had a massive jacuzzi, which was perfect for a relaxing soak after a day of shopping – I felt completely refreshed and ready to go again the next day! Though, I have to say, for Kobe, the price wasn't exactly cheap, so it really depends on what you're looking for. During the day, there are malls and an Aeon supermarket around the hotel, but there are no convenience stores nearby at night, which was a bit inconvenient. So, remember to stock up before heading back to the hotel. I didn't book breakfast as it seemed to be a set menu, which I'm not a fan of. Overall, it was a good experience. I'd definitely choose this hotel again if I come back to Kobe.

Comfortable and soothing ryokan in the heart of Arima Onsen town at the top of a steep hill! Kaiseki was awesome in quality and detailed in appearance! Soothing and relaxing onsen bath with Gold and Silver onsen. Service staff was attentive and helpful, especially the conceige! Free IPA and highball drinks after dinner, too! Nespresso coffee available in the morning. Try it to enjoy the relaxation in Kobe!

The hot spring is really big, and you can enjoy both the upstairs and downstairs pools for free. There's a shuttle bus to Sannomiya Station. The room views are absolutely stunning, perfect for couples. Breakfast was just okay, but overall, it's a great stay.

The food is absolutely delicious. Breakfast is healthy and varied: miso soup, curry, rice, omelets, potato salad, sausages, boiled potatoes and broccoli, succulent fried tofu and dried tofu, fish for grilling on a mini-grill, red smoked fish, and cherry tomatoes. There are also tasty pastries like croissants and cinnamon rolls – they don't skimp on butter and jams. Plus, yogurts, sweet fruits in syrup, and muesli. For drinks, there's hot/cold coffee, tea, milk, orange juice, and iced water. The hot spring in the hotel is magnificent – both golden and silver springs, a jacuzzi, a cold pool, and cold rice tea after the onsen. They even sell sake in vending machines! You can buy souvenirs right in the hotel, and the prices are reasonable. It's a 4-minute walk from Arima Onsen station and 6 minutes to the bus stop (which goes directly to Kobe). The value for money is perfect, and the staff really go the extra mile. The kimonos are beautiful!

The hotel is located in a quiet and safe area. The breakfast selection is good and I liked the good coffee and it was a bonus as they provided paper cup so you can consume your coffee in the comfort of your room. Will recommend friends to stay in this nice and clean hotel.

The English proficiency of the local staff is appallingly bad. I went to drop off my luggage and was told I couldn't check-in yet as it was too early. After finally checking in, I discovered my room was right next to the elevator. When booking, I had specifically requested a room away from the elevator, quiet, and non-smoking. It's my fault for not reconfirming with them, so I had to drag my luggage back to the front desk to change rooms. The new room was still on the street side, right next to the elevated highway, and directly opposite Kobe Station – you can imagine how noisy it was. This is an old hotel that's been renovated. You don't need a key card for any of the elevators, so female travelers staying alone should definitely be mindful of their safety. The quality of the renovation can only be described with a 'heh,' the details are just dreadful. Forget the small details, the door wouldn't even close automatically; you had to manually push and pull it to make sure it latched properly. The mini-bar light switch had an intensely bright light that was dazzling at night. Amenities weren't replenished on the second day, not even the drinking water. The staff passage, which also serves as a fire escape, was left wide open until 8 PM, indicating a lapse in safety management. The water pressure and temperature in the shower were unstable – hot one moment, cold the next, and then the water flow would suddenly diminish. I don't even want to comment on the breakfast; it felt worse than what you'd get at a slightly better budget hotel. The only made-to-order hot dish was an omelet. Every single cup was endlessly covered in limescale and scratches.