Suimeikan

The hot springs were the highlight. There are several of them, and the whole family, kids included, enjoyed a soak each night. The hotel is also very close to the train station, about a three-minute walk, with a shuttle available if you prefer it or have a lot of luggage. Our room was big, though the bathroom was very small and not clean. We were glad we could use the showers at the hot springs instead. Breakfast was hard for us: the kids who aren't used to Japanese food found only bread and pancakes, and we adults didn't find much we liked either, though we're used to a very different kind of breakfast. One thing to plan around is that most places in Gero close by 4 or 5 pm. Unless you eat dinner at the hotel, finding somewhere open can be difficult, and convenience stores may be the only option.

The Western-style restaurant's food was nicely arranged, but the taste and portions felt pretty ordinary next to the high standard of the room. The room itself was roomy and modern, with wooden floors alongside a tatami area. It made for a calm, comfortable mix of Japanese and Western style, and works well if you don't want to sleep directly on tatami. The bathroom was clean and contemporary too, with smooth, soothing onsen water that left my skin feeling soft and refreshed. Gero Onsen Suimeikan was a lovely place to stay.

The hotel is close to a JR station, which is handy, though there isn't much around in the way of shops or restaurants. The rooms were clean, and I liked that the onsen had baths at different temperatures to suit different preferences. The onsens were very nice, and dinner was satisfying too.

We had a relaxing soak in the onsen after a long day, and there are several activities at the hotel. I'd suggest arriving early if you want time for them, or for a quiet stroll around town. The area is calm and peaceful, a nice setting for unwinding and experiencing Japanese hospitality. I stayed one night in June 2025. It's a traditional ryokan, with futon bedding, and the staff set it up while you're out at dinner. Dinner is served Japanese multi-course style, with each dish brought out one at a time. I had a wonderful stay.