Romantic Hotels in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan

"The breakfast was incredibly authentic, rich, and delicious, making me feel warm both physically and mentally – truly amazing! It was so good it could easily account for 1/3 to 1/2 of the room rate, haha, that's how much I loved it. My only regret is that I only stayed one day and thus only got to enjoy it once. 😄 The breakfast was so incredibly good that I could even overlook the bathroom setup where the tub and toilet were in the same room without a separate partition. 😂 The hotel is also super convenient for getting directly from Kansai Airport by bus without any transfers. This location was perfect for us as we were planning to visit Kishi Station to see Stationmaster Tama. We also had lunch at the hotel's ground floor cafe, and the food there was excellent too."

"The Japanese-style tatami room was very clean, but when I first entered, there was a strong grassy smell. The service was excellent; every staff member was very attentive. There was a Chinese girl at the front desk who was very lovely and patient. She took every matter seriously and meticulously solved every problem. Having her there made us feel much more at ease. My favorite spot was the tea and relaxation bar on the second floor of the hotel. Whenever I wanted coffee, I could go downstairs and have it freshly ground, which was fantastic. The hot spring was also great and very clean. The cleaning staff, an adorable white-haired grandma, even played with claw machines! It's highly recommended. The bus stops right at the entrance, which is very convenient."

"Actually great amenities which are not really listed but you’ll get towels, slippers and pyjamas. They have toiletries by the reception. There is a small onsen as well! Check in is only from 5 pm but you can leave your luggage at the reception downstairs"

"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."

"It took over 4 hours to get to Hotel Urashima from Kyoto, which isn't actually that far, but even their express trains are a far cry from our high-speed rail. I took an 'Ocean Arrow' train which felt quite old. There was a small observation car between 3-4 carriages, which was fine for enjoying the scenery. After arriving at the JR station, it's a short walk to the pier to catch a boat to the hotel. The self check-in machines at the hotel were incredibly convenient. It printed out vouchers for both dinner that night and breakfast the next morning, which was very handy. Staff were on hand to guide, and everything was clear. I booked a Japanese-Western style quad room, which was quite spacious and had nice views. The room provided yukata that you could wear to the hot springs and for meals. The onsen on the 33rd floor is only open to guests staying in the 'Sanjo-kan' (Mountain building), and it was deserted when we went. The 'Bokaro-do' (Forgetting-to-return-home Cave) in the main building is the most distinctive, and while it was crowded, the scenery was well worth it. We also hiked a section of the Kumano Kodo on our second day, which I highly recommend. The hotel also offers fishing rod rentals, which I believe are available until 5:30 PM. The Sanjo-kan connects to Mount Noroshi, where you can watch the sunset. The Pacific Ocean water is crystal clear, and the scenery is absolutely stunning! If I had to mention a downside, the dining was not impressive. The daily set meals were very limited in variety, and the buffet was just average, not nearly as amazing as the hot spring hotels near Lake Kawaguchiko at the foot of Mount Fuji, where the food was spectacular. If you don't mind the hassle, you can take a boat to town for dinner."

"Summary: 1. Airport transfer to Shirahama needs to be booked in advance via email. 2. The hotel is excellent and newly renovated. The hot springs are fantastic. 3. Transportation is inconvenient, but there's a shuttle service to Shirarahama Beach. 4. It's about a 15-20 minute walk downhill to a convenience store. The distance isn't actually that far."

"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."

"For just over 1000 yen, getting a one-night stay with two meals for two people, plus a sea view, is incredible value! The dinner buffet, while not huge, had excellent quality ingredients. We feasted on delicious salmon and tuna. The room was spacious. Sure, there were a few minor imperfections in some corners, but for this price, I can't complain. The only real issue was that the hotel only offers free luggage storage until 3 PM. They didn't mention this when we dropped off our bags. Halfway through our Kumano Kodo hike, a friend behind me delivered the bad news. I ended up having to carry six people's luggage to our next accommodation all by myself. It was quite a heartbreaking experience."

"Extremely satisfied with this hotel! We stayed for two nights with breakfast and dinner included, so we got to try a good variety of dishes. The atmosphere is very Japanese and elegant. The hotel service was exceptionally good, and the environment was very clean. The path to the onsen was a bit scenic and made for some great photos. They even have colorful yukatas you can choose from!"

"The hotel was perfect! Breakfast with an ocean view was lovely, and the room was incredibly spacious and new, especially compared to other hotels in the area. The 11th-floor onsen offered breathtaking views, and I loved soaking in the beautiful Shirahama sunsets every evening. Ramen shops, convenience stores, and drugstores are all within walking distance. The bus stop is a short walk down to the beach, and all the main attractions are easily accessible from there, which was very convenient. The only downside was the uphill walk, which was quite a struggle when carrying luggage. However, I would definitely choose this hotel again for my next visit."