Aso Resort Grandvrio Hotel

It's a huge golf course resort hotel with splendid views. I was there in spring, when Sakura trees were in front of the hotel. The room had a view from the balcony, and the Onsen was nice, if not too huge. Walking to other restaurants or attractions isn't very convenient.

We stayed two nights in a room facing the golf range and didn't take any meals. The rooms are dated and need refurbishment. They looked much nicer in the website pictures, and the room was quite dim. I can't say how the food is since we didn't eat at any onsite restaurants. The hotel seems more catered to big tour groups as part of their tour packages. Buffet dinner is expensive, about $50 USD. If you're driving back at night, it can be quite dark, and only a few restaurants are open past 5pm Japan time. Without a car, it's a long walk from the main road to the hotel. There's a convenience store in the lobby where you can buy bottled drinking water, as the hotel doesn't provide it. It seems a nice place for golfers, though, with an onsite onsen. We saw quite a few golfers playing on the range when we checked out. They provide a bathing bag with Yukata, which is a nice touch. A refurbishment would be ideal.

It's a long way from town and places to eat, so you need to drive out. This hotel isn't a good place for non-smokers. We booked non-smoking rooms but were given rooms on a smoking floor. What a joke. You could smell cigarette smoke along the corridor. Only after we insisted on a non-smoking room on a non-smoking floor did they relent.

You can't get to this hilltop location without a car. The room is spacious, and the golf field and view are excellent, so it's a great place for golfers. Dinner buffet is worth it, with good long legs crab and very tender beef.