Arima Royal Hotel
8,7/10 Excellent - Based on 58 reviews
Arima Royal Hotel sits in the historic hot-spring district of Arima Onsen, blending contemporary comfort with traditional Japanese hospitality. The property highlights Arima’s famed “golden” spring water alongside baths featuring therapeutic stones, and presents a mix of renovated modern rooms and classic tatami suites. Public bathing facilities are complemented by multiple bathing styles across levels of the hotel, and the property operates amenities such as a 24-hour front desk, complimentary Wi‑Fi and on-site dining designed around seasonal kaiseki menus and specialty ingredients.
Guest accommodations range from standard Japanese-style rooms to larger suites and several room types that include private open-air baths and terrace options; some rooms are fitted with massage chairs and layouts intended for groups as well as couples. Dining options emphasize local and premium produce—menus include multi-course kaiseki and specialty plans featuring regional beef and seafood—with the option for private counter-style sushi experiences on request. Service features noted by visitors include shuttle support for arrivals and a focus on attentive, individualized hospitality throughout the stay.
For travelers seeking a ryokan with onsen experience in Hyōgo, the hotel offers both communal onsen spaces and bookable room baths that let you soak in Arima’s mineral-rich waters with greater privacy; the property therefore also functions as a ryokan with private onsen Hyōgo option for those prioritizing an isolated soak. Its location in the walkable onsen quarter places it close to local temples, craft shops and the town’s promenades, making it a practical base for exploring Arima’s hot-spring culture while returning each evening to warm baths and seasonal cuisine.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Arima Royal Hotel
Positive Reviews
Outstanding onsen variety
Multiple baths (including the famed Arima ‘gold’ and ‘silver’ springs), rooftop and basement spa areas, and private bath options provided a very relaxing, high-quality onsen experience praised by many guests.
Excellent food and dessert offerings
Meals were repeatedly described as abundant and unique, served in private rooms in true ryokan style; guests highlighted exceptional dinners, breakfast, dessert bars and evening buffets that exceeded expectations.
Attentive, friendly service
Staff were frequently noted as kind, welcoming and polite; several reviews mentioned helpful explanations, attentive table service and a warm, VIP-like treatment.
Complimentary drinks, snacks and comfortable lounge
Guests appreciated free-flow drinks, a drinks machine, afternoon snacks and dessert/tea corners in the reception/lounge area, creating a relaxed place to unwind.
Clean, comfortable rooms and good amenities
Rooms were described as spacious and clean with daily yukata provided; some rooms included private outdoor baths and comfortable indoor baths, and the property felt calm with pleasant scents and tidy spaces.
Negative Reviews
Difficult access and wayfinding
Several guests reported the property is hard to reach from Arima Onsen station (long uphill walk, unclear directions) and that finding the hotel or approach routes could be confusing.
Narrow roads and parking challenges for vehicles
The road to the hotel and to the parking area is narrow and steep; guests felt it could be difficult or scary for larger cars to access.
Price and value concerns for some plans
A few reviewers felt the hotel is expensive; one guest warned that the cheapest/basic plan excludes meals (not even the buffet), which made that option poor value for them.
Occasional language/communication issues
Some visitors experienced limited English from staff, causing minor communication barriers, although many noted staff tried their best to assist.
Room maintenance and minor amenity issues
Isolated reports mentioned worn or damaged room fixtures, doors hard to open, a stuck door to the outdoor bath, inadequate heating or bothersome light sources, and occasional missing women’s yukata or non-card key locks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Rooms typically sleep two on futons or beds, with family and suite options that accommodate up to six guests; cots and extra beds are not available.
The hotel offers hot spring baths and open-air baths for guests, and some room types include a private open-air bath; the waters are those of Arima Onsen.
Some room types include a private open-air bath for exclusive use; public onsen areas are shared—contact the hotel directly to ask about any reservable private options.
The property lists shuttle service among its facilities; timetables and pick-up/drop-off details vary, so confirm the schedule with the hotel before arrival.
Arima Onsen is reachable by express bus (about 60–70 minutes from Osaka or Kyoto), about 30 minutes from Sannomiya/Shin-Kobe, and roughly 23 km from Itami Airport; travel times vary by route and traffic.
Check-in starts from 15:00 and check-out is until 10:00.
Pets are not allowed at the property.
The hotel serves Japanese-style meals with seasonal dishes and options like a Kobe beef set; breakfast is offered and guests often mention evening desserts or buffet selections.
Staff are highly rated for helpfulness and can assist with local recommendations; English support is commonly available but for complex requests it’s best to ask in advance.
The hotel sits on Arima Onsen street close to Onsen-ji Temple and the Arima Toys and Automata Museum, with souvenir shops and local eateries within easy walking distance; Mount Rokko and wider Kobe sightseeing are reachable by local transport.