Hotel Dengan bar di Hyogo Prefecture, Japan

The hotel is situated within the Awaji Island Park theme park. Guests need to first park their car at Parking Lot F, then call the hotel to arrange a shuttle pick-up. If your mobile phone only has data and no local calling minutes in Japan, you can use the hotel's direct phone located at the park entrance to contact them. A dedicated vehicle quickly arrived at the park entrance to pick us up, and it was less than a 5-minute drive to reach the hotel premises. Upon arrival, we checked in at a charming little cabin and were offered a dessert and a welcome drink. Even though I wasn't staying in a themed room, the cabin was incredibly spacious and comfortable, featuring a large balcony. The room was stocked with fresh fruit and snacks, and the minibar drinks were complimentary. Even though it was late May, the evening temperatures were quite low. The hotel thoughtfully provided coats and blankets. Unfortunately, it's a shame it was too cloudy to see the stars. What truly stood out was the exceptional attentiveness and friendliness of all the staff members – they were impeccable. No wonder their Google ratings are so high! For dinner, we enjoyed a Western-Japanese fusion Sabusabu meal. Each pair of diners received a platter of purple sea urchin, which was hands down the most delicious sea urchin I've ever tasted. If I ever have the chance to visit Awaji Island again, I would definitely choose to stay here.

First off, the rooms were really clean and spacious. I booked a connecting room which was perfect for a big family; one room for the elders and one for the kids. The front desk gave us a room on the 10th floor with an ocean view. Below us were the Ocean Museum and Meriken Park, offering not just a wide-open view but also super convenient access for walking around with the kids. Secondly, there are attractions nearby like the Anpanman Children's Museum and Daimaru department store, both about 900 meters away. If it's under 30 degrees Celsius, you can easily walk there. We often took a taxi to Sannomiya, which only took about 5 minutes. Lastly, I have to praise the pool. The water was crystal clear and clean, with one large pool and a jacuzzi. Floats and armbands were available for free use, and the best part was, there was hardly anyone there! 3300 JPY per person was definitely worth it. The bakery in the lobby (I think it was called Camellia) was excellent. They restocked daily, and their bread was more authentic than most bakeries in Kobe.

Grand Mercure Awaji Island boasts unparalleled sea views of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge and the Seto Inland Sea. Its excellent location, however, makes it best suited for guests traveling by car. Our sea-view room was spacious and comfortable, with floor-to-ceiling windows that made the morning sea sunrise a daily spectacle. Both breakfast and dinner offered a wide variety of dishes; we especially recommend the Awaji Island milk and local onion specialties. However, dining options nearby are limited, meaning you'll likely rely on the hotel's restaurant for dinner. Without a car, finding other dining spots would require a taxi. The hotel service was attentive, and the front desk staff spoke fluent English, providing helpful guides to local attractions. While the rooftop open-air hot spring bath isn't natural, it was uncrowded, peaceful, and incredibly relaxing with its sea views. On the downside, the facilities are a bit dated, and there's a noticeable lack of family-friendly entertainment options. Overall, this hotel is ideal for guests seeking serene sea views and a relaxed pace, offering particularly excellent value for money during the off-season.

The hotel service and environment are excellent, offering a free shuttle service from the station to the hotel. The meals and private hot springs are highlights, making for a perfect overnight stay with two meals. The entire hot spring town also has six public hot spring pools, each with its own unique features. There are many charming little shops along the street to explore, offering a tranquil escape from the city's hustle and bustle, allowing you to relax and rejuvenate!

Food was great and Eri-san was very friendly and helpful. The room was really clean and love the private onsen with amazing view. I love how attentive Eri-san was as well, the timing in which the next meal came was impeccable, allowing me to enjoy the food thoroughly. Other ryokans I have stayed before (despite being more expensive), the breaks between the food served was very short and it felt like I was rushing to eat. The outdoor hotspring bath was great and perfect for people who cannot stand too high temperatures. Unfortunately, when we wanted to dip in Gekkoen's more traditional and older outdoor hotspring, it was being cleaned. Would love to try dipping in it the next time we visit again.

By far the best hotel/resort experience I ever encountered. Not only did we travel with a family of 5 but we had 10 luggage’s in total which they helped to organise and deliver to our room even though it was really heavy. Accommodated to everything that we need and asked and super welcoming. The small details that they would do have imprinted in my memories for life e.g remembering which shoes we had, prepared our slippers, explaining our meals and providing a blanket without us asking. I hope this reaches out to the manager who put the most effort to making sure we were happy and looked after. We would all recommend this place to our families and friends. 1000/10 S+++

I stayed for four consecutive days, and the view outside the window was as beautiful as I expected. However, when I checked in on the first afternoon, a large cruise ship was docked right outside my balcony, completely blocking the view even though my room was on the 11th floor. I contacted the hotel through Trip.com, and they responded that the ship would depart by 5 PM. When I looked at the pictures before, the cruise ships always docked on the south side, so I didn't expect this situation. On the morning of the fourth day, I woke up to find another cruise ship docked outside. Just a heads-up for future guests. The overall room environment was fine, but the cleaning staff seemed a bit lazy. Disposable slippers weren't replenished daily, nor were the disposable toiletries or the coffee and tea bags. Each day, they only replaced the trash bags and refilled three bottles of mineral water. My shower gel ran out, so I deliberately left the empty bottle on the sink to remind them, but it remained untouched for three consecutive days. During check-in, the hotel overlooked one night of my reservation. I was initially supposed to stay in one room for the first night and then move to another room on the second day. This meant I'd have to check out at noon and couldn't check in again until 3 PM, which would have completely disrupted my plans for the second day. In the end, I had to communicate with the hotel through Trip.com to ensure I could stay in the same room for all four days. The hotel breakfast is pretty standard Western fare, nothing special. It's okay for a day or two, but after that, you might want to switch it up and try the Starbucks next to the hotel.

The room was spacious and comfortable, providing a serene atmosphere for relaxation. The onsen facilities, along with the provided Japanese bath suits and slippers, added a delightful touch to the experience. The breakfast buffet featured a variety of healthy Japanese options, which I found both satisfying and nourishing. Additionally, the view of Kobe Tower from my room was a charming highlight. The hotel's design reflects a refined minimalistic luxury, creating an elegant and calming environment. Overall, I highly recommend this hotel for anyone seeking a blend of comfort and traditional Japanese hospitality.

A heartwarming and thoughtful mountain hotel experience. This hotel stay completely exceeded my expectations. From the moment I arrived, I felt a deep sense of genuine hospitality – there was a dedicated shuttle service directly from the station to the hotel, saving me the hassle of dragging my luggage around. The next day, I planned to explore the hot spring town at the foot of the mountain. The hotel proactively offered to store my luggage and deliver it to the station at the bottom of the mountain at the agreed time, completely freeing up my hands. The food was surprisingly delicious, with fresh ingredients and thoughtful pairings. The room was clean and comfortable, meticulously cleaned daily, and the common areas were also spotless. The service throughout was attentive yet unobtrusive. From the shuttle arrangements to the luggage storage, everything was efficient and heartwarming. It's truly perfect for travelers planning a hot spring trip. I'll definitely choose this place again on my next visit.

This is one of the best hotel we have stayed. The hotel is in an upscale district with a number of high ends shopping destination. The view is very nice. Dinner and breakfast are good. Staff can speak very good English. I really like the hotel. We drove there with free parking.