Shuntou An

It’s a detached-style place with a private sauna and unlimited hot spring access. The room feels just right for two, though I splurged and had it to myself. It came with lots of useful things: a humidifier and air purifier, kettle, towel dryer, fridge-freezer, microwave, and tableware. Getting there is easy from Beppu IC, and the bus stop is about a three-minute walk away. The location is a little awkward, though. There are love hotels nearby, and the closest supermarket or convenience store is around a 15-minute walk. I did wonder if the building had once been a love hotel and been renovated. For me, it was still a great place to unwind.

I could use the cold bath, semi-open-air hot bath, and sauna as often as I wanted, 24 hours a day. The rooms are separate and quiet, though the place is already away from busy areas. I’d read that there were lots of love hotels nearby, but I planned to stay in for the hot springs and sauna, so it didn’t bother me. Beppu Station is some distance away, but the bus got me there easily. Trial Mart is close enough to walk to, and I stocked the fridge with groceries for a stay of eating, sleeping, and going back and forth to the baths and sauna. Someone told me Trial Mart didn’t do tax-free shopping, but I saw a tax-free counter and signs advertising it. I didn’t try using it, so I can’t say whether it works. The walk back from the mart is uphill and gets tough with heavy bags. Sightseeing around the area could be inconvenient without a rental car or taxi. The semi-open-air bath has electric blinds, but people walking past outside are visible, so it felt awkward to use while undressed. The rooms were clean and affordable for what they offer, and there’s a big supermarket within walking distance. My main disappointment was that the tub doesn’t hold its heat. When the water cools, you need to add hot water. There are separate valves for spring water, hot water, and cold water. Filling the tub with only spring water takes about an hour, and it doesn’t get quite warm enough, so I had to mix in hot water. The water didn’t feel especially slippery. The sauna switches off automatically after four hours, but you can turn it back on with the on/off button. It takes about 30 minutes to an hour to heat up. They asked for my estimated arrival time when I booked, and had the tub and sauna ready when I got there, so I could use them right away. They provided lots of towels. The indoor clothes are like a yukata, so I’d bring comfortable pajamas. They put out two bottles of water each day, and there’s a 24-hour vending machine and an ice machine. I liked the large fridge, and delivery food is allowed, which makes eating in convenient. In the morning, sort trash and food waste into separate bags, tie them up, and leave them by the door for pickup. Even with the tub’s heat issue, I’d definitely come back.

The room and facilities were new and clean, with a large TV, sauna, and hot spring. The hair dryer was a Dyson and the showerhead a ReFa. They had everything set up so we could use the bath and sauna as soon as we arrived. There was a towel dryer for reusing towels, both standard USB and Type-C ports, and a sea view from the window. The hojicha löyly was really nice. The fridge was packed with drinks, including alcohol, more than the two of us could finish. The receptionist was kind and helpful when we asked for dinner restaurant advice. A few things felt less convenient. I suspect it used to be a love hotel, judging by the location and the bathroom taps and sinks, which had that feel. The parking lot entrance is extremely narrow, so arriving by car could be tricky, though a car is useful since getting there without one may be difficult. The relaxation chairs are outside, where you have to contend with mosquitoes and other bugs. That could be rough in summer, though winter should be fine. I could hear the baby next door crying from the relaxation area, but not from inside the room, so it didn’t bother me. I’d recommend the place to couples, families, and friends.

The hot springs are nice to use without worrying about time, unlike family baths that have time limits, but it’s safer to think of the stay as just enjoying a family bath. The value for money is terrible. Everything is packed into a small plot, and the buildings seem laid out to save costs and squeeze into a small house rather than make them easy to use. Parking is limited too, so when it’s busy there may be no space in front of your building. There’s an adult hotel next door, and some areas can be brightly lit at night. Maybe to make up for that, the fridge comes with free drinks and you get unlimited movies. Even considering those extras, I still wouldn’t choose this place.