Yufuin Onsen Ryokan Mebaeso

A cozy little hotel with an onsen.

Quiet, pleasant spot with a lovely mountain view.

Really good!

The big bath was spotless and had lots of amenities, including exfoliators and scrubs that I tried and loved. I stayed one night with my mom at the end of September, and we both left very satisfied. Getting there and away was easy. They picked us up from the station in a van after I called, then drove us back there at checkout. When checking in, you do need to book a pickup time slot in advance. We also borrowed their free bikes and rode to Kinrinko in about 15-20 minutes each way. Our room had tatami, was clean and roomy enough for two, and came with a private open-air stone bath right outside, so I could use it whenever I wanted. The water wasn't hot until the early morning hours, around 3-5 AM, then heated up again later in the morning. The annex rooms with private outdoor baths don't offer much of a view. For security, they're on the ground floor behind a wall, so you mostly see the sky. Meals were included, and my mom especially liked the neat, tidy food and the sashimi. We added whiskey and a highball at dinner; I expected them to cost a lot, but they were surprisingly reasonable. It was my first hot spring trip, so I can't compare it with other places, but it was a very satisfying stay at a reasonable price. I'm set on choosing an open-air bath again next time.