Canadian World Traveller Spring 2023 Issue

65
Hoshino Resorts Kai Beppu
by Steve Gillick
At dinner time, guests descended a staircase
under the Kengo Kuma-designed bamboo
dragonfly chandelier, for a Kaiseki meal (multiple
courses served in sequence) that was
taste-bud heaven. It featured chicken, scallops,
salmon, swordfish, fugu, sashimi, noodles,
kabosu citrus (similar to lime), and local
vegetables. Our server told us to ready our
cameras for the spectacle as she lifted the top
off the Bungo Nabe (seafood, chicken, and
beef hot pot), and the steam poured out, simulating
Beppu’s hot springs!
When you enter your room at
Hoshino Resorts Kai Beppu and
exclaim, “Oh my Goodness”, you
know you’re in for an extraordinary experience.
The focus of each of the 70 Kai
Signature rooms is the magnificent ocean
view from the huge picture window that fully
occupies one wall. And the pink-brown color
of the walls, called Kakishibu or bitter persimmon,
enhance the intensity of the view over
Beppu Bay. The first reaction is to just sit on
the sofa in front of the window and gaze in
amazement.
But the Kai Beppu experience begins at the
entrance to the ryokan when you are greeted
by the smiling staff. Next, they escort visitors to
Onsen Square in the lobby, where a huge picture
window, a hand bath, and a foot bath
allow guests to unwind and engage with the
scenery. And the adventure continues as the
culture and tradition of Beppu are reflected in
this newly opened (July 2021) building
designed by famed architect Kengo Kuma. A
cobblestone alleyway leads to the
arcade/meeting room, past the travel library,
and on to the gift shop, the garden, and the
onsen, or hot baths.
Taro Hirooka, the Assistant General Manager,
explained that the ryokan reflected the atmosphere
of the onsen town and that Beppu, with
over 2000 onsen sources, was possibly the
most renowned hot spring area in Japan.
The soothing indoor baths at Kai Beppu allow
for relaxed hot water or warm water bathing
while contemplating the ryokan’s peaceful
Japanese garden. The waters leave the skin
feeling soft and smooth.
Afterward, for a change of pace, the Night
Fair in the lobby features colorful lanterns,
self-serve ramen snacks, chuhai tasting
(shoshu with fruit juice and liquor mixes), and
family games.
A final hotel event, the Toji Jug Band, was a
fun way to end the day. Then, back in the
room, with lights dimmed, the night view of
the ocean and the comfortable beds lulled us
to sleep.
The following day, after using the private hot
spring tub on our balcony, we enjoyed a delicious
breakfast before we sadly had to leave
for our next destination.
The Hoshino Resort Kai Beppu is an amazing
experience. The location is excellent, the staff
are very friendly, the rooms are stunning, the
views are spectacular, the onsen is so relaxing,
and the food is outstanding. What more
could a traveler need to pamper their travel
curiosity and soothe their soul at the same
time?
https://hoshinoresorts.com/en
World Traveler Spring 2023