Arima Grand Hotel — Hotel in Kobe

I am writing this review to share an important part of our family’s travel experience at Arima Grand Hotel in April 2025.||I hope that our experience may contribute to raising awareness and improving accessibility for all travelers.||||Our family stayed at Arima Grand Hotel to celebrate my parents’ anniversary — a special family trip we had all been looking forward to.||Our daughter uses a wheelchair, and we were excited to enjoy a hot spring holiday together.||||We chose a less crowded time to visit the large public bath.||However, upon entering the changing room, we were suddenly told, “Wheelchairs are not allowed here.”||The reason given was that “the flooring might be damaged.”||||Then, in front of other guests, we were asked to provide our family’s names and room number.||This was extremely painful and humiliating for us.||Because of her wheelchair, my daughter was denied the chance to bathe, and we all left the room in tears.||||Afterward, we sought a sincere response from the hotel and engaged in over two months of dialogue.||About a month later, we received a written apology — but perhaps due to internal coordination issues, by the time responses finally arrived, I was already deeply emotionally distressed.||||While some staff members made sincere efforts during our dialogue, the hotel ultimately informed us that they wished to end further communication with us.||No formal apology in person or compensation was offered.||||I believe this experience reflects the “invisible barriers” and “lack of sufficient understanding toward disabilities” that still exist in Japanese society today.||I sincerely hope that such issues will no longer be overlooked, and that Japan can move toward becoming a place where everyone can enjoy their stay with dignity and peace of mind.||||If no one speaks up, nothing will change.||I write this not out of anger, but in the hope that no one else will have to experience the same.||I remained committed to sincere dialogue with the hotel until the very end — and I am still grateful for the efforts made by some of their...

A large, multi-section, multi-story hotel that offers a wide range of services, making it an excellent choice for families, but it may not be suitable for those seeking complete tranquility. Pros: Distinctive Services and Facilities: The hotel features a variety of recreational facilities such as indoor and outdoor pools, a sauna, and many comfortable seating areas. It also has beautiful green spaces and "swing water" in several locations, in addition to Gold and Silver spas. Excellent Breakfast Buffet: The breakfast was very special and served in a spacious dining hall. Spacious Rooms: The rooms are available in different sizes and are all spacious and comfortable. Free Medical Devices: The hotel provides small, free medical devices for guests to easily monitor their health. These include a blood pressure monitor, bone density scanner, skin analyzer, and a device for measuring body mass and muscle composition. Family Activities: The hotel is very suitable for families and children, with many activities that make their stay enjoyable. Proximity to the Village: The nearby village is within walking distance, where there are beautiful seating areas on the riverbanks and live performances in the evening. Cons: Location: The hotel is located on a hill, which makes it difficult to access on foot. Communication Difficulty: Communication with hotel staff was difficult, especially regarding the shuttle service to and from the bus station. I had to walk on foot because I couldn't coordinate with them. Noise: The hotel is crowded with children, which makes it noisy and may not suit people looking for peace and relaxation. Café: The lobby café closes early (around 6:00 PM), which may be inconvenient for guests who want to spend more time there in the evening. Note: Overall, the hotel is a good choice for those traveling with families and looking for a place full of diverse activities and services, but it may not meet the expectations of those seeking complete quiet or who prefer easily...

We visited Arima Onsen for a special family trip with our child who uses a wheelchair, and we had been looking forward to enjoying the hot springs together.||At dinner, the staff kindly celebrated my parents’ anniversary, which made us very happy. |We were excited to try both the gold and silver hot springs, but when we arrived, we learned that the bath was not accessible without leaving the wheelchair. |I felt a little down, but the chief attendant stayed by my side until I felt better, which was very comforting.||After returning home, I shared my experience with the hotel, hoping it could help improve accessibility in the future. |After some time exchanging letters and phone calls, I was touched by the kindness of some staff members, and I am truly thankful.| I later learned that the hotel has a family bath with the gold spring that can be used by guests in wheelchairs, so I believe our next visit will be even better.||The hotel has a calm, traditional Japanese style, and our room was very clean. |The welcome Amaou strawberries were sweet and delicious. |The meals were beautifully presented and tasty, and the breakfast buffet offered many colorful dishes to enjoy even over several days. |Most of all, the staff’s warmth made us feel at home.||The location is convenient for visiting Kobe, Himeji Castle, and Osaka. |I especially recommend this hotel to overseas visitors who want to experience Japanese hospitality and a traditional hot spring inn.||This is a wonderful place to experience the true spirit of Japanese “omotenashi.” |For guests using wheelchairs, contacting the hotel in advance will help make your stay even more...