What kind of luxury onsen resort is AMANE resort SEIKAI?
As the fall season ended and the days grew colder in December, we took our two small children to Beppu Onsen on an express bus from Hakata Bus Terminal after having lunch at Hakata Station. For this trip, we stayed at this resort on the first day, at ANA InterContinental Beppu Resort & Spa, an IHG Hotel on the second day, and at Kannawaen on the third day.
To get straight to the point, we were impressed by the spectacular view from this resort. We never got tired of looking at the sky and the sea from Beppu Bay over and over again to see how beautiful it was. Also, the hospitality of the staff, the hot spring, the room, and the breakfast were wonderful.
We took a highway bus bound for Beppu from platform 34 on the 3rd floor of Hakata Bus Terminal and got off at Beppu Kitahama bus stop. The trip takes about 150 minutes.
From the bus stop, we were lucky enough to catch a cab from here, so we took a cab to the resort where we were staying. Normally, it is difficult to find a cab around here. There are hardly any cabs on the road. In that case, you need to take a cab from the cab stand in front of Beppu station. The cab stand is a 7-minute walk from Beppu Kitahama bus stop.
The resort is located along the coastline, but the surrounding area is a busy main road, and the exterior of the resort was an ordinary, featureless building. We did not have high expectations, but when we entered the building, we found ourselves in a different world. As we proceeded into the spacious lobby, we found the reception counter on the right, wicker couches and tables on the left, and large windows with a spectacular view of the stunningly beautiful blue ocean and sky. The cobalt blue color of the sea and sky was so beautiful that one could hardly tell the border. The air was dry and clear, especially in winter, and on this sunny day we could see far into the distance.
Then there was a sophisticatedly designed terrace in the lobby with wicker sofas with orange cushions embedded in a water basin. We sat on the sofa on the terrace, listening to the sound of the waves as we checked in and enjoyed welcome drinks. This water basin made of blue tiles was designed as if it were connected to the ocean. The welcome drinks were a choice of sparkling wine, draft beer, coffee, Coca-Cola, or orange juice.
It was a little cold outside, but the soft light of the sun and the scent of the sea were very pleasant. The Sea of Japan we saw when we stayed at Iki Retreat Kairi Murakami by Onko Chishin was beautiful beyond words, but the view of the sea and sky of Beppu Bay from this terrace was also amazing. We were a little tired from the two-and-a-half-hour bus ride from Hakata bus terminal to Beppu Onsen, but the view made us feel very happy to have come. Our image of Beppu Onsen was of a quiet, isolated hot spring resort town with a cloud of steam in the middle of town. But this place was so full of a resort ambience that we wondered if we were really in Beppu Onsen.
After a while, a staff member escorted us to our room. This resort is divided into three buildings: SORA, HARE, and UMI. This time we stayed in a deluxe TYPE Q room in the SORA building. Upon entering the room, there was a living room with a sofa and balcony on the right, a twin bedroom on the left, a Japanese-style room with tatami mats next to it, and a bathroom with a private onsen next to the terrace. The living room had a large L-shaped sofa that allowed us to lay down and look out the large window at the ocean. There was also a mini-kitchen with a small sink, which was easy to use for making tea and coffee. Then the lock on the window leading to the balcony was not double-locked, so that even a small child could open it. Beware if you are with children. It was the perfect size for a family of four. The room was comfortable with modern furnishings, decor, and functional amenities. Although the building faces a busy main road, all the rooms face the sea, and fortunately, the hustle and bustle of the outside world did not bother us at all. When we stepped out onto our balcony, all we could hear was the occasional whistle of a cruise ship passing by, and the sound of the waves.
After this, to warm up our cold bodies, we changed into samue outfits and headed to the communal onsens on the first floor of the Hare building. The view from the outdoor bath was spectacular. There was nothing like being able to soak in a hot spring and enjoy the beautiful blue ocean and sky. Although it was not an infinity onsen, soaking shoulder-deep in the water made me feel as if I were floating on the ocean. Free lemon water was available near the entrance to the communal bath. There was a baby cot in the changing room and chairs for small children in the washing area. Perhaps because all guest rooms are equipped with private onsens, the communal baths were always empty. By the way, there are two communal onsens, one on the first floor of the Hare building and the other on the eighth floor of the Umi building.
After enjoying the communal baths, we bought sake, local beer, and juice at the store on the first floor of the Sora building and decided to drink them in our room. Returning to our room and stepping out onto the balcony, we found the clouds in the sky at dusk to be divine and magical. The sky turned from light vermilion to ripe tomato color and eventually to light purple. As the sun set, the area became darker and colder all at once. Then the lights came on in the industrial area far out to sea.
We tried to relax in the bathcony, but gradually, outside, a chilly sea breeze began to blow, so we sat on the sofa in our room and quenched our dry throats, us drinking Beppu’s local beer and the children sipping tomato juice, a specialty of Beppu.
We were getting hungry by now, so we headed to the French restaurant on the ground floor. When we arrived at the restaurant, they showed us to a private room since we had small children. The menu for the day consisted of Amuse – tomato fondue, Hors D’ou – salmon terrine, Soupe – clam chowder, three kinds of Bread, Poisson – poached sea bream, and Viande – grilled Oita Wagyu beef loin. We had also pre-ordered children’s meals. Hamburg steak, omelet, French fries, tomato pasta, juice, and ice cream were served.
The resort had three restaurants to choose from on grounds: Kaiseki, Japanese, and Bistro French cuisine. The resort is next door to a furniture store and across the street there are no restaurants except KFC, so if you want to eat outside, you will need to drive or take a cab.
After dinner, we visited the bar in the lobby lounge on the first floor. The setting was very romantic. The bar does not allow children, but families with children were allowed to use the terrace outside, and we could order alcoholic beverages. It was cold outside, but the staff provided us with blankets so we could enjoy the sound of the waves as background music while sipping cocktails and enjoying what seemed to be too much luxury. The children also enjoyed delicious hot chocolate.
The next morning, we woke up around 6:30 a.m. It was still before dawn outside, but we decided to brew a coffee in the coffee machine, enjoy the aroma of the coffee, and enjoy watching the night dawn on our balcony. After a while, the morning sun rose over Beppu Bay, and the mineral-rich sea surface began to sparkle in pastel shades. Just before 7:00 a.m., a ferry from Osaka crossed over, and the delicate ripples on the surface of the sea looked like smooth silk fabric.
Then, before breakfast, I decided to enjoy the private onsen in the bathroom of the room with the children. From the bathroom window, we could also see the blue sea and sky bathed in the soft morning sun. The clear cobalt blue sea showed a beautiful gradation depending on the light of the sun.
Then, just before 8:30 am, we headed to the French restaurant on the first floor. Upon arrival at the restaurant, we were shown to a private room. Breakfast was a Japanese-Western buffet, in two-shift system, starting at 7:00 p.m. or 8:30 p.m. Lasagna with minced chicken, Oita pork and bean stew, Oita chicken rice croquettes, French fries, puffer fish dumplings, shrimp dumplings, shiitake mushroom curry, Japanese-style omelette, onsen egg, grilled fish, thick-cut bacon, smoked Oita sausage, French toast, corn potage soup, bouillon soup, Pasta, muffins, butter rolls, croissants, fresh squeezed mandarin orange juice, green smoothies, and more. The number of people was also limited, so we were able to eat comfortably without crowding.
After breakfast, we returned to our room, enjoyed the private onsen again, and checked out before 11:00 a.m. to leave the resort. Overall, the resort did not have Beppu Onsen-like feeling, but it had a distinctly “resort-like” experience. According to the staff, weekends and summer vacation tend to attract families with children, while weekdays tend to attract couples and solo travelers.
At last, if you want a spectacular view from the resort, remember to check the weather forecast before booking a room. That is the most important thing.
Check Availability and Pricing for the hotel on Agoda
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Is the location easy to access?
From Hakata Station to Beppu Station takes about 120 minutes by JR Kagoshima Main Line Express Sonic, or 150 minutes by express bus from Hakata Bus Terminal.
Then taka a cab from the cab stand in front of Beppu station to the resort. It takes 15min and costs around JPY2,000.
If you take an express bus from Hakata Bus Terminal, get off at Beppu Kitahama bus stop near Beppu Station. From the bus stop, walk to the cab stand in front of Beppu Station and take a cab from there.
It takes 40min from Oita Airport by cab and costs around JPY5,000.
There is no shuttle service from Oita Airport, Beppu Station or Beppu Kitahama bus stop.
Where is the best accommodation for anniversaries?
If you are looking for a good place for a special occasion in Oita prefecture, the resort would be one of the best. The staff arranges flowers and cakes to celebrate an anniversary at additional charges if you request in advance.
During our stay, we hardly saw any other guests on-site. This is the perfect place for romantic couples who value their privacy.
How about toiletries & in-room amenities?
All of the amenities are taken care of including enough toiletries, samue outfits, bathrobes, a coffee machine with capsules, tea bags, a Japanese tea set, bottled water, etc. DVD and CD players were placed in our room. The Free Wi-Fi reception was excellent. Room service is not available. Complimentary coffee is available in the lobby. There are vending machines for drinks. There are two convenience stores within a 5min walk.
Is this child-friendly?
For small children, the staff will provide toothbrushes, slippers, toys, food, and children’s pillows if you let them know in advance. Children aged 4 and over will be charged a facility usage fee (from JPY6,600 per night). Children aged 12 and over will be charged the same price as adults.
How about In-house Facilities?
There are outdoor and indoor communal hot spring baths on 1F. They are open from 5:00-10:00, 11:30-26:00. Also, there are indoor hot springs and jacuzzis on 8F. They are open 5:00-10:00, 15:00-24:00. If you have tattoos, you may not be permitted to use the communal bathing areas.
Then there is a spa treatment shop on 8F. You need to make an appointment in advance if you have a spa treatment service. The spa shop is open between 10:00 and 21:00.
There is a bar lounge on 1F in the Sora building. The bar is open between 18:00 and 24:00.
Then the resort is a universal design. There are universal rooms in the Sora building. Wheelchairs are available for borrowing. If you bring someone with weak legs, you may want to inform the staff in advance as they can arrange a room near the reception.
Then the staff will take care of your luggage before check-in and after check-out, if you request.
Have a nice trip! Welcome to receive any questions about the resort from the below space. Check Availability and Pricing for the resort on Agoda
Info about AMANE resort SEIKAI
| Style | Luxury Resort Hotel |
|---|---|
| Check-in and out times |
15:00/11:00 |
| Estimated Price | 50,000 JPY for 2 adults per room |
| Contact E-mail |
info@seikai.co.jp |
| Internet Connection | Free WiFi in the property |
| Facility Information | Wheelchairs are available Pets are not allowed The parking lot is available for free Valet Parking is available |
| Location | AMANE resort SEIKAI’s MAP |
| Access | 15min taxi ride from Beppu Station |
| Address and TEL | 874-0023 Oita, Beppu, Shoningahamacho 6-24 Tel +81 977663680 |
| Official Homepage | AMANE resort SEIKAI’s HP |
*All information above is as of the date that I posted on my blog.
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