Ξενοδοχεία Romantic σε Wakayama Prefecture, Japan

"This onsen hotel boasts an excellent location right by the sea, and it's also very close to nearby attractions. The hotel offers a half-board plan with dinner and breakfast, and each room has a private open-air bath. The public onsen, facing the ocean, is absolutely beautiful. For dinner, you can enjoy the famous Ise lobster while taking in the stunning sea views and sunset hues. The price is also quite reasonable for an onsen hotel of this quality. Overall, it's a very satisfying hotel."

"This is the best hotel experience! It's perched on a hilltop in Kushimoto, and the lobby offers an unbeatable ocean view. You absolutely have to choose the one-meal-two-stay package; the buffet dinner runs until 9 PM, which is perfect for a satisfying meal after a day of sightseeing. They have a great selection, including tuna sashimi, a special tea-rice dish, Western cuisine, and more – definitely a top-notch buffet. My favorite part was the public bath. There's an outdoor section with sea views, which is incredibly relaxing. The waiting area is spacious and even has free ice cream bars, which the kids absolutely loved. The most relaxing aspect was the happy hour in the lobby, with unlimited beer, wine, sparkling drinks, and snacks. You can just sit back and enjoy the blissful ocean views. The only downside: there was a strong musty smell, especially noticeable and persistent when it rained."

"I've previously stayed at Kamoike hotels in Izu Kogen, Arima Onsen, and Tazawako, and always had a good experience. So for my trip to Kii-Katsuura, I decided to choose this chain again. It's a budget-friendly and popular resort hotel (only the Izu Kogen one was relatively pricier). I compared it with nearby hotels like Hotel Urashima and Nakanoshima, but found them inconvenient for getting around. Nakanoshima was also too expensive for a solo traveler like me. Though this hotel has a history of several decades, it seems to have been renovated and is in good condition, with decent service, much like other Kamoike hotels. I stayed here for two nights, and my choice proved to be correct. On the first day, I arrived at Kii-Katsuura on the Kuroshio train around noon. After a short walk to the hotel to drop off my luggage, I went back to the JR station and took a bus to Nachisan, where I walked a highlight section of the Kumano Kodo trail. The second day was a leisurely stroll around Kii-Katsuura town. I had a seafood bowl at the pier, took a boat tour of Matsushima, and even visited the cave onsen for a day trip at Hotel Urashima. It was a very relaxing and enjoyable two-day itinerary. Furthermore, I found the kaiseki dinner provided by the hotel to be excellent, especially considering the price. I thought it was even better than the nearly 10,000 yen dinner I had at Shirahama Kaiyu. Plus, the menu changed both days. The Kumano beef was absolutely delicious! If I wasn't such a small eater, I would have definitely ordered an extra portion. I preferred the steamed version over the sukiyaki. For me, the portions were perfectly filling, even a bit too much. Around 9:30 PM, after my onsen bath, I passed by the free tantanmen stall. The sesame aroma was incredibly inviting, but since I had eaten so much at dinner for two consecutive nights, I didn't go in for the noodles, which is a bit of a shame. The breakfast set was also good, especially the tonjiru soup – it was really delicious!"

"Oooedo Onsen Monogatari: Not a Resort, a Rebirth* This isn't just a hot spring resort; it's a portal to another dimension. From the moment you swap your clothes for a yukata, the magic begins. You are no longer a tourist; you are a traveler in time. The ryokan experience is pure bliss. Waking up on tatami mats, the world outside feels distant, irrelevant. And the onsens... from open-air baths under the stars to secluded rock pools. Each immersion strips away a layer of urban fatigue, leaving only tranquility. But the true glory is the indulgence. Exquisite kaiseki dinners featuring the ocean's freshest treasures, paired with all-you-can-drink sake, beer, and whisky. It’s a feast for the soul where you never have to say ”no.” You don't just leave this place relaxed. You leave reborn, carrying the taste of a life lived more fully, if only for a weekend. It’s an investment in your soul."

"This hotel isn't as dated as some reviews suggest. The lobby and the Nagisakan building (if I remember the name correctly) have both been renovated. While the new blue walkway isn't super interactive, the hotel itself offers more than enough activities—one day is definitely not enough to experience it all. First, you can head up to the hiking trail on Mount Noroshi via the Sanjokan building, where you take a massive elevator that reminds me of Chongqing. Then, you can go on an onsen crawl. Be sure to check out the two main hot springs: Bokido and Gembudo. They rotate between men and women, so the views are different depending on the time; it's great to visit both in the afternoon and during the day. From Gembudo, you can see sea caves eroded into the rocks across the way. Sanjokan also has its own private onsen overlooking the Pacific Ocean, which has a distinct charm, though it lacks the rustic wildness of Meishodo. The rest of the baths are more like nice extras—visiting every single one takes too much time and isn't really necessary. Also, you probably won't have much energy left to go out for dinner after all the soaking. I recommend reserving a table at the on-site izakaya; it's slightly more expensive than eating outside, but not by much. However, the menu will definitely shock anyone who isn't from the coast. Setting aside the whale meat (since this is a whale-watching area) and dried shark, they actually had dolphin! (Couldn't bring myself to order it as it felt too cruel). Still, the variety of seafood was astonishing. The hotel also offers fishing, and you're practically guaranteed a catch every time! Sadly, we didn't have time for it since we had to hike the Kumano Kodo the next day. Still, it made for a..."

"This is a large and luxurious hotel. Both breakfast and dinner buffets were plentiful and delicious, offering great value for money. However, the hotel is quite old. While it's well-maintained, the rooms definitely show their age. The location is also a bit out of the way; it's fine if you're driving, but I'm not sure about public transport."

"A truly satisfying hotel in Shirahama! All facilities and the main building are accessible, and the hot springs and foot bath are excellent. The room wasn't small, and even though it was facing the road, it was incredibly quiet at night. The sea breeze was so pleasant! Shirahama is a lot of fun, and I'll definitely stay at Key 1 again next time! The location is super convenient; it's easy to walk to everything nearby. I even walked to the local beer factory for a refreshing pint – fantastic!"

"The location is excellent, and the scenery is absolutely breathtaking. The hot spring faces the Pacific Ocean, and watching the sunset from there is incredible. The only downside is the hotel food, which really isn't great 😹. I hope they can improve it. I'd definitely consider staying here again if I get the chance."

"That ocean view alone made it all worth it! Room Facilities: It's an older hotel, so a bit dated, but it has everything you need and the hygiene was quite good. The best part was having two separate toilets – perfect for families traveling together. The lobby on the ground floor offers free drinks, and complimentary wine is served after 5 PM. They also have delicious Yuasa soy sauce ice cream (extra charge). Transportation: The hotel is just a 1-minute walk from the station, making it convenient to get anywhere. Breakfast: The Japanese-style breakfast, while perhaps not for everyone's palate, offered a wonderful sense of ritual. The sweet pickled salmon was tasty. The Japanese lady at the next table finished everything! The buffet breakfast is good for those who don't eat seafood or cold dishes; while the selection isn't huge, the food tasted good. Onsen (Hot Spring): It was decent, nothing spectacular but perfectly fine. Soaking in the hot spring at 5 AM was incredibly pleasant, and it wasn't overly crowded at 8 PM either. The beach is right downstairs, a mere 2-minute walk from the hotel. You can even buy fireworks and light them on the beach. There are tons of great restaurants nearby, and the lobby even has recommendations for the best local eateries. When checking in, we asked the front desk to book a taxi for our departure. Taxis are really hard to come by here, so if you have a lot of luggage, definitely book in advance, as the buses can get too crowded to board. There's also a 24-hour supermarket, Lawson, and FamilyMart across from the hotel, selling some good beer."

"The hotel is very nice and still feels brand new, with a great location close to Kii-Tanabe Station. The staff were friendly, the check-in process was fast, and the room was very clean and comfortable. The laundry facilities, ice machine, and vending machines were all excellent. We also appreciated the free breakfast and complimentary coffee/tea in the afternoon. This hotel is highly recommended and perfect as a starting point for the Kumano Kodo journey. One suggestion would be to offer breakfast earlier or provide breakfast boxes for hikers starting early in the morning. Highly recommended, and we would definitely stay here again."