Hotel Dengan Parking di Wakayama Prefecture, Japan

The room is very spacious, and I reckon this hotel is the tallest building in Kii-Katsuura, making it quite easy to spot. The hotel offers complimentary coffee and drinks with some time restrictions, but they're generally available whenever you'd want one. The onsen (hot spring) was decent; on my first visit, I had it all to myself, so I secretly snapped a picture of the outdoor bath. Breakfast is a Japanese-style set meal. While it's not as extensive as a buffet, it certainly has a nice sense of ceremony.

Absolutely loved this beachfront hot spring resort. After checking in, I immediately went for a soak in the indoor onsen that evening. The next morning, I woke up early to try the outdoor bath. The view from the outdoor onsen is easily the best I've ever seen; looking out over the Pacific Ocean from a high vantage point, the feeling is simply indescribable. There are also several must-visit attractions near the hotel.

There are only a handful of top-rated hotels in Wakayama. I deliberated between this one and the one located at the JR station, ultimately choosing this hotel because of reviews mentioning Wakayama Castle views and a good breakfast, though I was slightly worried about transportation. My actual experience proved transport to be very convenient; a bus ride was just over ten minutes and dropped me off right at the hotel's doorstep. After checking in and going up to my room, I eagerly pulled back the curtains and was instantly thrilled to see Wakayama Castle, majestically framed by the twilight hills and a purple sky. The room was quite spacious, featuring a small sofa seating area by the window. There was ample space to open two suitcases without any issue. After a quick tidy-up, I couldn't wait to head out and explore. Though Wakayama Castle may not be as renowned as the four great ancient castles, its charm lies in its remarkably welcoming and accessible design. The path circling the castle walls is open to the public, and you can easily enter by crossing a small bridge over the moat. It was pleasant to see locals strolling and jogging around. After a half-lap exploration, I found the perfect spot for night photos and was extremely pleased with the view. Breakfast on the second day was served at a Japanese-Western fusion restaurant downstairs. The food selection was extensive, and the quality was excellent—truly impeccable. There's also a soba noodle shop within the building, which was delicious and reasonably priced. I had read reviews previously suggesting there weren't many dining options near the hotel, but actually, there are several restaurants and a convenience store right inside the building, which was fantastic. Overall, it was a very satisfying stay.

I came here because of Detective Conan, and the hotel's location is just incredible – facing the sea, absolutely stunning! However, since the hotel is in a small town, taking the bus during peak season can be really inconvenient. You can contact the hotel to arrange a taxi, but most local drivers don't speak English. There are many great places to eat in town, but they tend to close early. The hotel's onsen is very comfortable; soaking in the hot spring while listening to the sea is a wonderful experience. The hotel is also very close to Engetsu Island, where you can watch the sunset 🌄 – it's truly amazing and perfect for photos! The only drawback is that the facilities are a bit old, probably due to its long history!

We've stayed at Dormy Inn in many locations across Japan, and our entire family loves it. Although the rooms at Dormy Inn are typically quite small, they offer incredible value for money. Being able to soak in a hot spring every day after returning exhausted is a particularly worthwhile experience. The hotel provides complimentary ice cream, Yakult, and massage chairs. Plus, at 9:30 PM, they even offer free soy sauce ramen. These added perks are definitely a major draw. Personally, I find Dormy Inn's breakfasts to be excellent across Japan, with the exception of Tokyo, which is just average. They always incorporate local specialties, with dishes like beef bowls, natto, and onsen eggs being prime examples. The Dormy Inn in Wakayama even offered cantaloupe, which was a delightful surprise, especially considering a single wedge of Yubari melon in Hokkaido can cost 25 RMB.

A clean and relatively modern hotel sitting on top of a hill with a spectacular view of the harbour. There is an indoor/outdoor onsen on the ground floor and free alcohol and snacks from 3 to 5 pm every afternoon! Great value for money, and a great place to relax and ease back into civilisation if you’ve just come out of the mountains after doing the Kumano Kodo.

The hotel is situated at a secluded corner of Wakayama prefecture. It is much preferable to drive here rather than relying on the infrequent hotel shuttle. Public transport is otherwise non existent. There are no restaurants around the hotel. However the hotel provides delicious meals with abundant fresh seafood. The in room dining experience is superb. The hotel staff service is impeccable. The room has a spectacular sea view allowing you to see the sunset on clear days. The onsen also faces the sea which provides a relaxing experience. A downside is that the hotel does not seem to sanitize the slippers for indoor use. All hotel guests had to change to their slippers to access their indoor facilities.

I was in Osaka for the weekend and decided to take a spontaneous trip to Wakayama and Shirahama. To my surprise, hotel prices in Shirahama had significantly increased, and some were even fully booked. I figured it might be due to Halloween. The Shirahama Marriott is one of the few international chain hotels in Wakayama, located right next to the famous Shirarahama Beach. The price wasn't too outrageous, so I quickly booked a package that included dinner and breakfast (one night, two meals). Overall, it offered decent value for money. We arrived in Shirahama quite late. It was less than a 10-minute taxi ride from the JR station. Check-in was quick, and they acknowledged my Marriott membership, but unfortunately, there were no benefits offered, which felt a bit stingy 😅. I booked a basic city view room. It was indeed a rare spacious room for Japan and quite clean. However, we were given the lowest floor with no view to speak of, and there was a slight, odd smell in the room. While it wasn't a major issue, it did detract a bit from the experience. The dinner included in the package was a Japanese Kaiseki meal, which was excellent. Each dish was served with a strong sense of ceremony, and although the portions were small, the presentation, plating, and taste were all superb. There weren't many guests in the evening; only 2-3 tables were occupied in the large restaurant, making for a quiet and enjoyable meal. But I wondered, if the hotel was full, where did all the other guests eat? 😂 Breakfast was a Western-style buffet with a good selection, including some Japanese dishes. The taste was average, but it was perfectly fine for a filling meal. The hotel's top floor features a public onsen bathhouse and private onsen rooms. I visited both in the morning and evening. There weren't many guests. The onsen had both indoor and outdoor pools, which were very pleasant for soaking in the early autumn weather, as it wasn't too cold outside. From both the onsen and the adjacent relaxation area, you could see the beautiful Shirarahama Beach in the distance. I went up early the next morning to watch the sunrise. The sunrise itself was good, but the morning glow was absolutely stunning. Under the dazzling fiery clouds, the sea was tinged red, gently lapping against the pure white sand. It's only a 3-4 minute walk from the Marriott to the beach. The beach is beautiful, not very long, with a perfect bay shape, and the sand is incredibly white and fine. It's so clean that it almost feels unreal. A stroll along the beach is nice; Engetsu Island isn't far and is worth seeing. Along the coast, there are several free public foot onsen, and the historic Sakinoyu Outdoor Onsen is just a short walk further.

The location is far from the city, but the hot spring swimming facilities are very good, and there are free snacks at the water bar, which is suitable for a relaxing trip for the whole family.

This hotel is super conveniently located right next to Kintetsu Department Store, just to the right of Wakayama Station. There's even a direct passage to the MIO shopping mall, perfect for some retail therapy. No need to book a taxi either, you can just walk a minute to the station square and grab one there. Cleanliness: The hotel might be a bit older, as the room felt a little stuffy, and it seemed like the window couldn't be opened. The showerhead also had a lot of limescale. Ambiance: For Japan, the room was quite spacious, likely big enough for two people to fully open their suitcases. Facilities: Breakfast was incredibly rich and varied, with a great view too. There's also an observation deck on the top floor that lights up at night, which adds a nice touch of charm. Service: They were very accommodating and helpful! I borrowed a power adapter, which was a huge help!