Scenic Hotels in Shirahama

"This onsen hotel in Shirahama-cho, Wakayama Prefecture, is primarily renowned for its breathtaking 'ocean view hot springs.' Boasting open-air, mixed-gender baths directly facing the Pacific Ocean, the panoramic views are truly spectacular, and the experience of soaking in the springs with the sea right in front of you is unforgettable—a timeless signature feature. Additionally, the hotel offers several 'kashikiri-buro' (private hot springs) that require queuing for a key, adding an option for more private bathing. However, in other aspects of the experience, the hotel generally falls short, failing to fully match the grandeur of its views: • **Mediocre Service**: Compared to the meticulous and heartfelt 'omotenashi' (hospitality) typical of traditional Japanese ryokans, Haishu's service feels more process-driven and standardized. While the staff are polite, they lack proactiveness, giving it the feel of a large resort rather than a cozy private inn. • **Many Elderly Guests**: The hotel is very popular among older tourists, which contributes to a lively and mainstream atmosphere, lacking some of the tranquility and elegance one might desire. If you're seeking a quiet getaway for two, you might find the environment a bit noisy. • **Unremarkable Dining**: Reviews for both dinner (kaiseki cuisine) and breakfast, included in the 'one night, two meals' package, are generally 'average.' Although local specialties (like Kishu plums and Kumano beef) are highlighted, the actual taste and presentation are only mediocre. It's worth noting that it's 'not as bad as some online comments suggest,' falling within an acceptable range, but it doesn't offer any surprises and falls short of the dining standards found in top-tier onsen ryokans. **Summary**: If you're going solely for the stunning ocean-view hot springs, Haishu is definitely worth a stay—the natural scenery there is unparalleled. However, if you have high expectations for service details, dining quality, or a quiet atmosphere, this hotel might only offer an 'average' experience, and you should adjust your expectations accordingly."

"I stayed in both the main building and the annex, and the annex offers significantly better value for money than the main building. All facilities are shared, and I highly recommend the hot spring. I spent the first night in the main building and the second in the annex. Before arriving, I saw pictures with a Syrian-style aesthetic and mentally prepared myself for something run-down. However, I actually found the annex, with its Japanese-style design, to be superior to the main building and more suitable for younger guests. The only drawback was the overly rigid front desk staff. After checking out of the main building, I seamlessly processed my check-in for the annex, but still had to wait until 3 PM to get the keys. Also, on the night of my check-in, I could hear a group of Korean girls chattering loudly on the public balcony downstairs from my room on the second floor; they kept talking until past midnight."

"The hotel is conveniently located right by a bus stop. The onsen hotel offers a great variety of food. The dinner buffet included sashimi, and breakfast featured local specialties. The Japanese-style tatami beds were very comfortable. A pleasant surprise was the complimentary drinks bar, perfect for enjoying after a relaxing bath."

"Wonderful hotel. The rooms are small, but with a beautiful view of the ocean. There is everything you need in the room: a stove, a refrigerator, a grill, a steamer. There are all the necessary utensils. The only thing is that we couldn't adjust the shower for a long time - the temperature is cool. There are many shops nearby. The ocean is a 10-minute walk away. Very friendly guys at the reception."

"The hotel is located near the Shin-Yuzaki bus stop in Shirahama. It's accessible by walking up a slope. Because of its hillside location, ocean-view rooms offer a great view, overlooking Shirahama Beach. The walk to Shirahama Beach takes about 15 minutes, passing the Shirahama Seafood Market and a FamilyMart convenience store. The hotel has a restaurant, offering a simple but acceptable breakfast, and three set menus for dinner. The Japanese-style rooms feature twin beds, a tatami mat, and a balcony, perfect for both living and sleeping. The bathrooms have bathtubs and are quite comfortable. The hotel has a large public bath on the first floor, featuring an indoor hot spring area with a massage area, a hot and cold dual-use pool, and an outdoor soaking pool. There's a dedicated area on the first floor where guests can choose from complimentary yukata robes, coffee and tea bags, and disposable toiletries. October 4th, Tanabe Beach hosted its annual fireworks festival, and I was able to see the fireworks from the hotel's guest balcony. Upon departure, the front desk helped with luggage storage and taxi hailing. I was very satisfied with my stay."

"The Marriott's location is superb. It's about a 2000 JPY taxi ride from Shirahama Station, which is very convenient. Shirarahama Beach is just a five-minute walk away. The view of the beach from the 11th floor is exactly like something out of Detective Conan! We enjoyed the hot springs in the evening and morning. The garden view room offers a perfect, front-row seat for watching the sunrise. The hotel staff were incredibly warm and provided excellent service. We had a perfect Goddess Festival, listening to the melody of the Pacific Ocean and savoring fresh tuna. I absolutely love Nanki Shirahama!"

"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!"

"Musashi Ryokan: Good location, next to the white sand beach of Shirarahama, separated from Shirarahama Hotel by a wall. Outside the hotel, there is a 24-hour supermarket diagonally opposite, with Daiso upstairs, Lawson on the other side of the street corner, and a bus stop (Shirahama Bus Stop) at the door, which is very convenient to go to various places. Room: The Japanese-style sea view room I booked is just right for three people. The room does face the sea. Looking at the sunset, the beach and the sea, my heart is healed Service: No one cleans the room, it's simply!! Hot springs: Hot springs are on the first, second and 17th floors (those who book the Hedi room can go to the 17th floor, the rooftop outdoor, but they can't take a bath. They have to take a bath in the room and go up, which is very inconvenient). The hot spring water temperature on the first and second floors is very suitable Meals: The first night was a buffet, and the second day I chose a Japanese set meal. I felt that it would be better not to book it. It broke my good impression of the one-night and two-night hot spring hotel. I thought the quality of the buffet was not very good, and the Japanese set meal should be okay, but the result was also unsatisfactory. So I suggest you don’t order meals. There are many places to eat around. It’s only a half-hour bus ride to the seafood market."

"Although the hotel is relatively old, it is still a pleasant surprise overall. The room is very good, the beach is just outside, the price/performance ratio is very high, and the overall travel accommodation experience is very good."

"Although I only stayed in Shirahama for one night, I canceled two hotels in succession and came to Haiyue after struggling. In a quiet harbor, the boss was elegant and elegant, Lao Bai was enthusiastic and meticulous, and communication was smooth throughout the process. Opened more than a year ago, the facilities are very new, and the room is very big. You can lie on the tatami and watch the sunrise directly. You can drink up to 6 bottles of drinks a day and it is impossible to finish them. Pola toiletries have two series from makeup remover to moisturizer. There are also pigeons for children. The bathing supplies are so meticulous that they provide socks and silk eye masks. The bathing pool is super clean, and there are all kinds of ice creams for free, and the meals provided are also very rich. Despite his busy schedule, Lao Bai also drove part-time as a tour guide to take us to visit the scenic spots. He showed his sincerity in every aspect. He is already thinking about coming to Haiyue next time when the weather is hot."