Yufuin Ryokuyu

The staff were the highlight for me: exceptionally friendly and welcoming, always smiling and helping with whatever we needed. I'd definitely recommend staying 2-3 nights to enjoy the place and the town. The hotel offers pickup from Beppu station, which is about a 20-minute drive from the main town, so the distance wasn't bad. The property itself isn't big, but the room was spacious, the bed comfortable, and the basic amenities were there. It was clean and warm, and the in-room onsen offered privacy and comfort. Breakfast and dinner were both superb, and there was so much food that each meal kept us full until the next.

The friendly staff made us want to like the stay, but at this price the value just wasn't there. For a place with only 10 units, the service felt impersonal and inattentive. That was especially disappointing because the property is quiet and remote, with little to do beyond a small bar and no real common areas. We felt the staff needed to do more to make the experience memorable. There was no turndown service during dinner and nothing extra left in the room for the evening. No one explained how to put on the yukata, so it was confusing to know what to wear to dinner. Language didn't seem to be the issue, since the staff spoke English and most guests were foreign. The room looked updated and modern, but it smelled musty, and the linens and bedding had a mildew odor. The outdoor onsen had a nice atmosphere, but at 38 C in the morning the water was lukewarm, cooler than a shower. The bathing area was small and shallow, with room for just one person. For a high-end ryokan where the onsen and dining are supposed to be the main attraction, that was a huge letdown. At other hotels and airbnbs during our month in Japan, the water was hotter. The shower also cut off every minute or so, and we had to push a lever to get the water running again, like a public restroom faucet. There were quite a few mosquitoes around the outdoor units, which was unpleasant, and a few got into our room at night when we came back from dinner. The property is easy to reach by car but almost a half-hour walk to Yufuin's main street. Dinner was in the main communal dining room, with a good selection of Japanese whiskey, sake, and shochu. We really wanted to like this place, but the many shortcomings left a lot to be desired. Any additions to the experience would have been welcome.

The staff were professional, attentive, and friendly, especially June. Our room was lovely and clean, with its own private onsen, and both dinner and breakfast were delicious. It's a beautiful ryokan with great service. We made some good memories here and had one of our best ryokan stays. We'd like to return in the future.

The grounds were beautifully landscaped, and the staff were delightful, with wonderful attention to detail. The restaurant was very accommodating to vegetarians. We had a private open-air hot spring onsen and a footbath just outside our room, and the forest surroundings made the setting feel nicely removed from Yufuin. At the same time, it's only a 15 minute steep walk to the Yufuin shops and 20 minutes from the Mount Yufuin West Trailhead. One of the most extraordinary places we've stayed. Super highly recommended!