Pluses: restaurant and family mart on-site. Close to tram and bus routes and in the edge of Tenmonkan entertainment zone - if that's your thing.
No real complaints. Good solid hotel.
KKarena 872We absolutely loved this stay and would recommend it to all travellers!
We booked the corner room. The room was well illuminated by natural light during the day and we could see the river from our room. At night we could even hear the water flowing. There were two western single beds but we asked for futons for the full Japanese experience and loved it! The room was spacious and clean. There was a bathtub in the bathroom but we used the public bath (male and female separated) which was amazing. The public bath was quiet and spacious and there was a sauna room. Breakfast was served during 7am -830am with a well set table as shown in the picture. The staff was super kind. Just note that the walls were thin and you should expect some noise but people here are generally used to keeping their voice down.
Another highlight is that you can take the bus of both the red and blue lines at the bus stop right in front of the hotel. (The blue line is for Shiratani Unsuikyo.). It is very convenient if you are not driving. The hotel is around 25 mins away from the ferry port and the walk there was pleasant and not difficult to find.
Yet another great thing about this place is that you can rent mountaineering gear here at a cheap price, including shoes and rain protection. We rented the shoes here at 1,xxx yen per person (forgot the exact price) and they were very useful. It was raining for almost the whole 5h hike for us and the shoes offered a good grip and were sufficiently waterproof. You can also find little souvenirs at their shop. Honestly, it's impeccable!
DDohadotongOur Third Visit to Ibusuki Royal Hotel – A Perfect Family Getaway
This was our third stay at the Ibusuki Royal Hotel. On our previous family trips, we stayed next door at the Iwasaki Hotel, which is now unfortunately closed. The Royal Hotel is beautifully situated right by the seaside, offering stunning views of Mount Kaimon from the side — the scenery is simply breathtaking.
Although the facilities are a bit dated, everything is immaculately clean, and the staff are exceptionally kind and attentive, making our stay truly enjoyable. The spacious guest rooms and relaxing atmosphere reflect the charm of a seaside resort.
The hot spring baths, including the open-air onsen, were the perfect way to unwind at the end of the day. The breakfast buffet was also impressive — the quality and variety exceeded our expectations, and our whole family was delighted.
Another plus is the hotel’s convenient location — within a 10-minute walk you’ll find the Daiei Shopping Mall, where you can easily pick up local foods and souvenirs.
If you rise early, I highly recommend taking a morning stroll along the beach in front of the hotel. It feels like stepping into a scene from a movie — a peaceful and beautiful start to the day.
If you’re planning a family trip, I wholeheartedly recommend this hotel. We visited by rental car from Kagoshima, but it seems that a shuttle service from JR Ibusuki Station is also available.
A truly wonderful stay — we look forward to returning again!