Noboribetsu Grand Hotel
7,8/10 Very good - Based on 499 reviews
Noboribetsu Grand Hotel stands in the hot‑spring district of Noboribetsu, Hokkaido, and traces its history back to the early 20th century as a long‑established guest house in the onsen town. The property presents three distinct types of thermal bathing experiences including indoor mineral pools, an open‑air bath with valley views and themed sauna facilities, alongside a ganban‑yoku stone‑bed area and a full spa menu. Private bathing rooms are offered for short, reservable sessions for guests seeking seclusion, and public bathing areas operate with house rules that may limit use for visible tattoos. The hotel frames its bathing offer around locally sourced spring waters and a program of restorative treatments.
Guest accommodation ranges from traditional Japanese tatami rooms with futon to semi‑Western and full Western layouts, each supplied with yukata robes and essential in‑room amenities. Dining is focused on Hokkaido produce: an all‑you‑can buffet highlights seafood and seasonal vegetables while alternative options allow for in‑room multi‑course Japanese meals; there is also a café and a late‑night bar. Practical services include a shuttle option by prior arrangement to regional transit hubs, luggage assistance, coin laundry and luggage storage, making the property a convenient base for day trips to nearby attractions such as the volcanic Jigokudani valley and family‑oriented sites. For search visibility the hotel aligns with searches like ryokan with onsen Aomori.
Facilities extend to family‑friendly leisure — karaoke rooms, a game area and a souvenir shop — plus modest meeting and event spaces for small gatherings. Check‑in and check‑out times follow standard hotel practice and some dining or shuttle services require advance reservations; guests are advised to confirm availability before arrival. For travelers prioritizing private bathing options, reservable private baths are available and the property operates as a full‑service resort offering the mix of hospitality and onsen amenities often sought under searches such as ryokan with private onsen Aomori.
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Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Noboribetsu Grand Hotel
Positive Reviews
Excellent onsen and spa facilities
Multiple guests praised the onsen: large variety of baths (hot, cold, salt/iron/sulphur), pleasant outdoor areas with views, good water quality and relaxing spa/massage options. Guests rarely found the baths crowded and some appreciated gender-swapping opportunities to try both sections.
Comfortable, spacious rooms and beds
Reviewers often noted roomy accommodations and comfortable bedding or futons, with some rooms recently renovated. Many described rooms as clean and appreciated small touches (tea treats, toiletries, tatami service).
Generous buffet with wide variety
The breakfast and dinner buffets were frequently commended for wide selection and variety; several guests called the buffet excellent or the best they’d had in the area, and felt it was worthwhile when hungry.
Helpful and friendly staff
Staff were described as welcoming, efficient and helpful — for example assisting with online bus bookings and general guest needs. Housekeeping and front-desk service received positive mentions.
Convenient central location
Many reviewers highlighted the hotel’s location: right by the bus stop/terminal, close to the Hell Valley and local shops, making it easy to reach attractions and travel connections.
Negative Reviews
Outdated decor and maintenance issues
Numerous guests reported that the hotel and some rooms feel old or dated (worn carpets, peeling paint, visible mold in corners of baths). Several noted the overall room condition could use refurbishment.
High prices, especially for meals/drinks
Multiple reviewers said the hotel is relatively expensive and that dinner can feel overpriced, particularly because drinks are often not included in the meal price.
Inconsistent buffet quality
While many praised the buffet variety, a number of guests found the buffet disappointing or of uneven quality, leading to mixed dining impressions.
Noise and small bathroom/room nuisances
Complaints included noisy ventilation in some rooms, tiny toilets and narrow shower/bathroom spaces, and occasional unpleasant smells (cigarette or fishy odors) in rooms.
Operational or service limitations
Some practical issues were reported: few elevators causing crowding at peak times, public bath closures/maintenance with notices only in Japanese, understaffed dining venues, limited coin laundry availability, and occasional language barriers on phone lines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Room types include Western twins, Japanese-style rooms and suites; Japanese-style rooms can sleep up to five using futons and family rooms are available.
The hotel offers gender-separated public baths including a domed Roman-style bath, open-air garden baths facing a waterfall, saunas and three spring types (salt, sulfurous and iron/chalybeate).
Yes — some rooms have private open-air or cypress baths and the hotel also offers a rental private bath; reservations are required.
A shuttle from Sapporo can be arranged (pickup point at Kamori Building); requests should be made in advance. New Chitose Airport is typically about a 60‑minute drive or reachable by highway bus plus a short transfer.
The hotel is a short drive from JR Noboribetsu (around 10–15 minutes) and the local bus stop is within a brief walk of the hotel.
Multilingual staff are limited; front‑desk staff can assist and often use translation apps or basic English to help international guests.
Guests receive yukata robes, can choose tatami rooms with futons, enjoy communal onsen bathing and Hokkaido-inspired meals with buffet and suite dining options for a ryokan-style stay.
Jigokudani (Hell Valley) and the Noboribetsu Bear Park are within roughly a 10‑minute walk; other sights like Date Historic Village are a short drive away.
Standard check-in is 15:00 and check-out is 10:00; luggage storage is available. If you plan to dine at the hotel, book or check in early (hotel notes evening dinner may require advance notice).
Traditional ryokan-style properties generally do not accommodate pets — confirm with the hotel. Private onsen options are available by reservation, tattoos may restrict access to public baths, and convenience stores/supermarkets are a short walk or drive; the reception can point you to the nearest shop.