Ibusuki Royal Hotel

There’s plenty nearby if you like being active, from cycling and hiking to sand bathing. We also visited the Chiran Peace Memorial, which was very moving, and the Samurai residences. Go for the sand bath in the morning if you can, since afternoons get crowded. It opens at 0830 hrs, and the hotel shuttle to the baths starts at 3:30pm. Staff can also point you to a covered place to keep bicycles or motorbikes. The Japanese-Tatami mat room faced the ocean and had a lovely view across the pool and bay, especially for sunrise photos. The outdoor pool was closed for the season, though the beach below was available for swimming. We liked the indoor and outdoor onsen, with the bay visible from the outdoor one. The beds were comfortable, and the place also has a yoga room, laundry, and a spacious lobby with panoramic bay views. It is a little dated, but very clean, with generous room sizes. We spent two nights here. On the first evening we had the Kaiseki fixed meal with pork shabu-shabu. The presentation was beautiful and the dishes introduced us to a wonderful range of regional specialties. It felt very "Japanese", as did the preset breakfast, and made for a great chance to try different foods. The attentive staff were happy to explain each dish and how to eat it. They were pleasant and several spoke English well, which made us glad we chose to stay.

Dinner was very good, close to the highest rank. The open-air bath was also great to look at and well worth trying. After dinner, the doorman looked after us in the courtyard and kept the campfire going, replenishing the wood and creating a lovely atmosphere. The people were so good to us. This was the best experience I have ever had.

The sea views were great, and I enjoyed the onsen. Dinner and breakfast were both elaborate and delicious. We arrived after the season, so I had the pool to myself, which was great. We checked in a little early, and the customer service was kind and warm. Wonderful hotel.

The breakfast buffet surprised us with how much we liked it. Its quality and variety exceeded our expectations, and the whole family was delighted. The hotel is also handy for the Daiei Shopping Mall, about a 10-minute walk away, where it’s easy to pick up local food and souvenirs. An early walk on the beach in front of the hotel is lovely too, like a scene from a movie and a peaceful way to start the day. We’ve now stayed at Ibusuki Royal Hotel three times. On earlier family trips we stayed next door at the Iwasaki Hotel, which has unfortunately closed. The Royal Hotel sits right by the sea, with a breathtaking side view of Mount Kaimon. The rooms are spacious and the atmosphere has that relaxing seaside resort feel. The facilities are a bit dated, but everything is immaculately clean, and the staff are exceptionally kind and attentive. After a day out, the hot spring baths, including the open-air onsen, were just right for unwinding. We drove from Kagoshima in a rental car, though it seems there’s also a shuttle from JR Ibusuki Station. For a family trip, I wholeheartedly recommend it. We look forward to coming back.