Beppu Onsen Hakomori

A very pretty modern hotel in a ryokan style. We especially liked the semi-open-air bath and garden.

The hot spring water had a strong iron smell, and it left my skin feeling really smooth. We only had breakfast at the inn, so we enjoyed heading into Beppu town in the evening. It’s far from the center, which makes getting around without a car difficult. I’d like to come back.

The hot spring feels very much like Beppu's, and being able to stay here at this price felt like a luxury. We were given two sets of bath towels and face towels for the two of us, which was thoughtful since we planned to soak several times. The amenities were nice too. Although the inn is a little remote, it’s quiet. The detached rooms make the interior design especially important, and it was lovely. Plants lead from the lobby toward the guest rooms, and we liked the courtyard view from both the room and bathroom. Morning sunlight came in naturally as birds chirped, which made a wonderful start to the day. The staff were helpful and gave us a great tour. I'd like to visit again.

The exterior is great, and the bed and bathroom were perfectly fine. But the area around the air conditioner was a bit dirty. I could have accepted that to a point, but then I found the previous guest's rubbish and wash towels still in the changing-room bin. I called the front desk and someone came to collect them, but all I got was a flat “I'm sorry.” I expected them to say something at checkout, but there was nothing. Is that normal? I've stayed at a lot of hotels and never had this kind of treatment. I'm disappointed and definitely won't return.