Dormy Inn Premium Wakayama Natural Hot Spring

The location is convenient, just a 5-minute walk to Wakayama Station and a 25-minute walk to Wakayama Castle. The hotel offers many free amenities; I didn't get a chance to use the hot springs or enjoy the complimentary cold drinks and noodles due to limited time, but the thought was appreciated. The fridge had bottled water and a small pudding, and the coffee was drip-style. The bathroom had a separate wet and dry area. Everything else was great, except for the slightly odd placement of the bed.

Dormy Inn is really going downhill. First, I had fleas after staying at their Sapporo location, and now this time I'm in a room that hasn't even been properly dusted. I'm never staying with this brand again.

What I love about countryside hotels is the great service. Self check-in is the norm nowadays, but since we booked three rooms, we asked if she could try to put us on the same floor. She really went out of her way to accommodate us—unlike hotels in Osaka, where asking is a waste of breath. The rooms are quite nice, and it's great to be able to enjoy a soak in the tub and a late-night snack in the evening.

This hotel was our last stop before heading to Kansai Airport, and it seems many others use it as a convenient layover point before their flight. It's incredibly easy to get to the airport from here; it's about a 7-8 minute walk, just two or three intersections away, to a Wakayama Airport Limousine Bus stop. Personally, I find the airport bus more convenient than the Shinkansen because you can hand your luggage directly to the driver instead of lugging it around. The airport bus costs 1400 JPY and takes approximately 30-40 minutes to reach Kansai Airport, which is actually more convenient than traveling from central Osaka. Secondly, this hotel, though small, has everything you need. Its bathrooms, both indoor and outdoor, are spotless. The breakfast spread offers a wide variety of choices, including sashimi and seafood rice bowls. Everything is presented in small portions, but it's all very clean and delicious. The hotel provides a map showing nearby attractions. After a bath, complimentary ramen is offered – we didn't try it, so I can't comment on the taste. There are also ice pops. I particularly recommend the room type I chose because it has a split bathroom layout. The vanity is outside, while the toilet and shower room are enclosed. As many know, some Japanese bathrooms are tiny, with everything crammed into one small space, making it impossible for two people to use at once for washing up and using the toilet. But this bathroom is separated, and it even has a small door that can be pulled shut to create a partition between the wash area and the sleeping area. This is ideal for guests with different schedules. This was a twin room, and it was quite spacious, with enough room to open up our suitcases. All in all, I highly recommend this hotel and this particular room type.

Staying at Dormy Inn Wakayama on the Kansai Loop Line! It's super convenient, just a 5-minute walk from JR Wakayama Station. The natural hot spring "Kishu no Yu" has indoor baths, an open-air bath, a sauna, and a cold plunge pool. Classic Dormy Inn perks include free ice cream after your bath, and complimentary Yonaki Soba (night ramen) from 9:30 PM to 11:00 PM. The breakfast buffet is outstanding, featuring a seafood rice bowl (kaisendon). The rooms are clean, there's a self-service laundry, a 24-hour front desk, and free luggage storage. It's a great base for visiting Kuroshio Market and Wakayama Castle!

This hotel is super close to the JR station, just a few minutes' walk. The room was spacious and clean, and the breakfast had a great variety and was delicious. Out of all the Dormy Inn hotels I've stayed at, this one is pretty good.