Kinosaki Onsen Kinsui

Good quality and inexpensive for a stay in kinosaki onsen. I'd recommend it.

The rooms were the best part: mostly wood, with a pleasant smell, comfortable futons, a sink in the room, and a private toilet in the hallway. Yukatas, a small towel for the onsen, and free room WiFi were provided. You do have to make your own bedding. The free onsen pass lets you into all seven baths, which is a nice perk, but at 10,000 Yen for a double room plus 350 per person per night in thermal tax, it felt too expensive for what you get. We'd suggest staying elsewhere if you can. The rest of the annex let us down. There was no shower in the second building, and when we were confused and asked the receptionist, he said, "this is the main building, you are not allowed to use the bathroom here." You have to shower at one of the town's onsens. He was very unfriendly and snnoty, and made us feel like second class guests for not staying in the main building. The service station had only hot water, no cups or tea, and its sink, refrigerator and microwave were very dirty. The dryer didn't work, and there wasn't much information about checkout, the building, or other things. There was no lounge or living room, and the hallway decor was ugly.

The private onsen was worth the 2000¥ when travelling with a companion of the opposite sex, and otherwise the experience was awesome. Everything else about the hotel earned five stars from me. One thing that would've helped is a “do not disturb” sign, since cleaners just come in. On our last day they entered 15 minutes before checkout, which I found unacceptable, and I nearly took off a star for it.

Kinsui Annex is a reasonable budget option for foreign visitors to the onsen town. You're paying half or even a third of the Main price, so expect only basic service from staff. After check-in, they seem to expect you again only when you check out, and the smiles may be missing. I got the sense they're running a charitable busines. That's the Japanese way, perhaps, they don't say much and hope you'll understand. Guests also make their own futon bedding. The tatami has clear instructions and pictures, so it's fool proof and can be done in under 10 minutes. I found it easy, enjoyable, and a fun way to learn about Japanese culture. Japanese adults and children do the same at home. So, pay peanuts and get elephant? No way.