Ryotei Matsubaya

Very Disappointing Experience – Poor Onsen Quality and Overpriced Food I had high expectations for my stay in Beppu, but this ryokan fell far short. Location & Logistics: The hotel is situated at the far end of the hill, nowhere near the famous "Hells." Because the ryokan does not offer a shuttle service, I had to pay extra for taxi rides every time I left or returned. Service & Dining: The staff were polite and helpful throughout my stay. However, given the high price point, the food was very mediocre and did not feel like an authentic Kaiseki meal. Onsen Quality: The biggest letdown was the bath temperature. Having visited Japan countless times, this was the first time I've ever experienced lukewarm onsen water. I tried the main public bath—lukewarm. I then tried three different private baths—all lukewarm with zero steam (as seen in my photo). Only the final private bath I checked had proper hot water. Since it was around 11:00 PM, no staff were available to assist. I find it unacceptable that the ryokan does not monitor bath temperatures throughout the evening. If an onsen isn't properly heated, it defeats the entire purpose of staying at a hot spring ryokan. By the next morning, the baths were hot again, but I didn't have enough time before checkout to properly enjoy them. Traveling all the way to Beppu for this felt like a complete waste of effort. I would not recommend this ryokan and will not be returning.

We enjoyed our stay at KOKO Hotel Premier Hakata. The location is very convenient, with easy access to Hakata Station and many nearby attractions. There is also a convenience store right next door, which was extremely handy during our stay. The staff were friendly, helpful, and responded promptly whenever assistance was needed. The hotel and guest rooms were tidy and well maintained. One thing to note is that daily room cleaning is not provided, so while the room was generally clean and comfortable, I would not rate it at the highest level of cleanliness compared with hotels that provide daily housekeeping service. Amenities such as toothbrushes, tea, and other supplies are available at the lobby for guests to collect as needed, which is a practical and environmentally friendly approach. Overall, a comfortable and well-located hotel with good service, and I would consider staying here again when visiting Fukuoka.

Lovely hotel set away from town in a peaceful area. They couldn't be more helpful which made for a great stay.

The food is incredibly tasty, the service is excellent, and the rooms are spotless. There are various private hot springs available for guests. Overall, it’s a great experience.