From the moment the taxi door swung door – it was heaven.||||Staff were waiting at the entrance to whisk all our bags away and we were escorted by the wonderful English speaking lady into the entrance. On Hana Beppu's request we relinquished our shoes at the front door and experienced the wonderful sensation of walking on the soft tatami matting which runs throughout Hana Beppu, together with the soft springiness of the cushioned bamboo flooring. We were guided through the most intricate woven bamboo screen, to relaxing cane chairs overlooking the beautiful Japanese Garden. There we sat whilst check in was completed on our behalf – heaven, why do not more hotels offer check in like this! .As we got up – I noticed a young girl on the other side of the bamboo screen wiping the travel dust off the wheels of our suitcases, an indication of the level of cleanliness, Our wonderful English speaking guide took to a great deal of time to give us a tour of the Hotel and facilities, including the open pillow store that boasts 16 different types of pillows for each guest’s own personal selection. Amazing! Stress levels by this stage were plummeting as the quietness of the tatami matting and peacefulness of the Hana Beppu wrapped itself around us.||||The food – oh my goodness the food was a visual artistic and culinary delight – every morning and every night it was different. Small artistic sculptures were delivered one after the other – perfect deliciousness in every mouthful. Chef clearly taking great pride in delivering top quality local food together with the presentation an art form in it’s own right. The mode of delivery changed with every course from evervescent luminous lacquer green to round riven slate and hand moulded clay. Loved it all. Service was always spot on, lovely charming waitresses. We chose a package that included breakfast and dinner and for us it worked perfectly.||||The staff, without exception, set Hana Beppu apart. Genuinely caring and helpful and all went out of their way to help as we did not speak Japanese. On our first night each course at dinner was explained in detail which greatly helped our understanding going forward.||||We have stayed in many Hotels worldwide but Hana Beppu is in a class of it’s own. The design is contemporary modern with many traditional references to Beppu’s history of bamboo, the Japanese Garden and Tatami Matting. This is a light, clean and calm place for couples and families. The place runs like silk.||||A welcoming touch was the morning and afternoon complementary traditional tiny steamed buns served with either green tea or coffee. A communal table and a good opportunity to connect with other guests.|| ||Our room was a Hagoiomo, type Yumeakari (Room 405), and whilst not as large as the other Hagoiomo types, I actually really liked the layout. Sliding doors abound so you can shut off the bathroom end completely. The basin is in it’s own room with glass door to shower and lovely bath tub. The toilet is in a separate room with it’s own sliding door. Most useful was a tea coffee making facility with kettle, specialist coffee machine and an overhead cabinet that can house any drink or food items you may have bought. Underneath is a fridge. Ample storage with hanging rails, with proper wooden hangers that lift off the rail, and wonderful practical sliding out wooden shelves for folded items. Great combinations of lighting mean you can change the mood depending on the time of day. The floor bean bags I looked at skeptically but actually they were really comfortable. There was also a two seater sofa. Being on the corner of the building meant it was lovely and quiet and we were double aspect, not so much for a view, but for natural light.||||I used the Hotel Onsen once, only because I preferred the open air Onsen’s that Beppu is famous for. The Onsen is very convenient and clean and a good place to ‘learn’ protocols. There are lockers for your belongings, though Hana Beppu provides each guest daily with a sort of pyjama suit to wear around the Hotel which is simpler to take off than normal clothes for the Hotel Onsen. There are also hairdryers for when you come out. Three different pools, two inside and one outside, gender separated. Though you can hire a private onsen to share with the family.||||Location, metres down the road from a bus stop that will take you right up to Myoban Onsen, cost was around 340 Yen. Taxi for same trip cost approximately 2000 Yen. I managed to get buses to most of the places I was going, so the location was good, although bus timings are not always reliable. Take a numbered ticket as you get on the bus, the number correlates to the fare you will have to pay which is a changing display at the front of the bus, You pay as you leave the bus. Sometimes though, due to pressure of time, a taxi is best and reception are very happy to order one for you, or indeed any onsen or attraction you are visiting will order one for you to go back to the Hotel Ten minutes walking down the hill to Beppu Bus Station. Car hire may be a good investment as everywhere we went there seemed to be ample parking.||||Do not hesitate, I can not recommend Hana Beppu highly enough, it is a class apart.