Kyushu Hotel — Hotel in Unzen

Given how far away the island of Kyushu is from Tokyo and Osaka/Kyoto, my perception in the past was that of a backwater that lacked sophistication. After numerous trips to all of the Prefectures the past few years, I've come to the realization that it's rich in history, culture, nature and - yes - a wonderful gastronomic identify. Unzen Kyushu Hotel is yet another example of a Kyushu property offering a polished hard product, refined service levels and an incredible dining experience.||||The property was rebuilt from scratch several years ago, with visions of a modern boutique hotel but with contemporary furnishings with local art. They've done a wonderful job here - the buildings blend into the Unzen environment without dominating the landscape (it's right next to "Unzen Jigoku," aka "Unzen Hell" hot springs.) From most of the rooms as well as the lounge area, you're treated to a front-row seat to the views of Unzen Hell, complete with the strong sulphur smell (which we like, to be honest.) The grounds are immaculately maintained, and it really is a tranquil environment that is at harmony with the area at large.||||We chose to spend our 3 nights in one of the "Hanare" (detached and separate building) rooms since they provided more privacy and space, although it's at the expense of a view of Unzen Jigoku that other rooms offer. The Hanare room offers bedrooms that are segregated from the living room (a key for us), as well as both an indoor as well as outdoor (open-air) Onsen hot springs bath, which was wonderful. The other benefit of Hanare-staying guests - you get to dine in a separate area, and in a private room, which is important to us, especially during COVID times. As a bonus, for the entire time we were there, the wonderful manager of Unzen Kyushu Hotel (Mr. Taura) personally served us - what a treat! He's an encyclopedia of food knowledge (as well as the local ingredients), and was very enthusiastic in his work. One other major bonus of this hotel, which really delighted us.... the pace of the meals was the best we've ever experienced. Nowhere else have we enjoyed a 9+ course meal in 90 minutes. And it didn't feel rushed at all. It was perfectly paced. Your mileage will vary, and that will be the result of the attentive staff and kitchen, who are quietly monitoring the pace of your food consumption so that everything is served exactly when you'd like it to be.||||Unzen Kyushu Hotel offers a choice of Japanese and Western-Japanese fusion meals, both for dinner and breakfast. Given we were there for 3 nights, we went with Japanese - Fusion - Japanese, and we were happy with the choice. Everything was unique, varied and umami-filled, even for breakfast, and we felt the quality was up there with the best ryokans and hotels in Japan. By this time, we weren't surprised... Kyushu (and Nagasaki) has awesome seafood, vegetables and fruits (the latter two thanks to the fertile volcanic soil), so chefs have top-notch ingredients to play with. Something "simple" like an Abalone Steak with Abalone liver cream sauce was done to perfection.. it was perfectly cooked, and it was very flavorful without being rich or overpowering; it brought out the best in the Abalone meat. Speaking of meat, we had more than a few beef dishes throughout our time here, and never experienced anything but amazing quality Nagasaki beef. As an aside, we're learning that Wagyu does not start and end with Kobe Beef. On the contrary, we've had just as good (if not better) quality Matsuzaka, Tajima, Hida, Miyazaki, Kumamoto and other varieties of beef during our time in Japan - Kobe beef is marketed very effectively, but it's definitely not the end-all-be-all. Even something as basic as a rice dish (that comes at the end of the kaiseki meal) was much better than the norm. A simple "Matsutake Gohan" (Steamed rice with bamboo shoots) was amazing - we usually don't have more than a bite, since we're full by then (and are watching the carbs), but we wound up finishing an entire bowl of it - we couldn't stop!||||Breakfast was equally special. While we generally prefer Japanese breakfasts (and it was the case here as well), they did a wonderful job with the Western choices also. The Eggs Benedict, French Toast and the Japanese Sea Bream Meunière provided us with a great start to the day.||||Overall, we felt the contemporary but tasteful build of the property, combined with the elegant and friendly staff, comfortable rooms, wonderful Onsen quality and amazing food (with a choice of fusion or Japanese meals) resulted in an almost perfect stay at Unzen...

Given how far away the island of Kyushu is from Tokyo and Osaka/Kyoto, my perception in the past was that of a backwater that lacked sophistication. After numerous trips to all of the Prefectures the past few years, I've come to the realization that it's rich in history, culture, nature and - yes - a wonderful gastronomic identify. Unzen Kyushu Hotel is yet another example of a Kyushu property offering a polished hard product, refined service levels and an incredible dining experience.||||The property was rebuilt from scratch several years ago, with visions of a modern boutique hotel but with contemporary furnishings with local art. They've done a wonderful job here - the buildings blend into the Unzen environment without dominating the landscape (it's right next to "Unzen Jigoku," aka "Unzen Hell" hot springs.) From most of the rooms as well as the lounge area, you're treated to a front-row seat to the views of Unzen Hell, complete with the strong sulphur smell (which we like, to be honest.) The grounds are immaculately maintained, and it really is a tranquil environment that is at harmony with the area at large.||||We chose to spend our 3 nights in one of the "Hanare" (detached and separate building) rooms since they provided more privacy and space, although it's at the expense of a view of Unzen Jigoku that other rooms offer. The Hanare room offers bedrooms that are segregated from the living room (a key for us), as well as both an indoor as well as outdoor (open-air) Onsen hot springs bath, which was wonderful. The other benefit of Hanare-staying guests - you get to dine in a separate area, and in a private room, which is important to us, especially during COVID times. As a bonus, for the entire time we were there, the wonderful manager of Unzen Kyushu Hotel (Mr. Taura) personally served us - what a treat! He's an encyclopedia of food knowledge (as well as the local ingredients), and was very enthusiastic in his work. One other major bonus of this hotel, which really delighted us.... the pace of the meals was the best we've ever experienced. Nowhere else have we enjoyed a 9+ course meal in 90 minutes. And it didn't feel rushed at all. It was perfectly paced. Your mileage will vary, and that will be the result of the attentive staff and kitchen, who are quietly monitoring the pace of your food consumption so that everything is served exactly when you'd like it to be.||||Unzen Kyushu Hotel offers a choice of Japanese and Western-Japanese fusion meals, both for dinner and breakfast. Given we were there for 3 nights, we went with Japanese - Fusion - Japanese, and we were happy with the choice. Everything was unique, varied and umami-filled, even for breakfast, and we felt the quality was up there with the best ryokans and hotels in Japan. By this time, we weren't surprised... Kyushu (and Nagasaki) has awesome seafood, vegetables and fruits (the latter two thanks to the fertile volcanic soil), so chefs have top-notch ingredients to play with. Something "simple" like an Abalone Steak with Abalone liver cream sauce was done to perfection.. it was perfectly cooked, and it was very flavorful without being rich or overpowering; it brought out the best in the Abalone meat. Speaking of meat, we had more than a few beef dishes throughout our time here, and never experienced anything but amazing quality Nagasaki beef. As an aside, we're learning that Wagyu does not start and end with Kobe Beef. On the contrary, we've had just as good (if not better) quality Matsuzaka, Tajima, Hida, Miyazaki, Kumamoto and other varieties of beef during our time in Japan - Kobe beef is marketed very effectively, but it's definitely not the end-all-be-all. Even something as basic as a rice dish (that comes at the end of the kaiseki meal) was much better than the norm. A simple "Matsutake Gohan" (Steamed rice with bamboo shoots) was amazing - we usually don't have more than a bite, since we're full by then (and are watching the carbs), but we wound up finishing an entire bowl of it - we couldn't stop!||||Breakfast was equally special. While we generally prefer Japanese breakfasts (and it was the case here as well), they did a wonderful job with the Western choices also. The Eggs Benedict, French Toast and the Japanese Sea Bream Meunière provided us with a great start to the day.||||Overall, we felt the contemporary but tasteful build of the property, combined with the elegant and friendly staff, comfortable rooms, wonderful Onsen quality and amazing food (with a choice of fusion or Japanese meals) resulted in an almost perfect stay at Unzen...

I recently had the pleasure of staying at the Unzen Kyushu Hotel in August alongside my parents. To say the experience was magnificent would be an understatement. From the rooms to the meals, amenities, surrounding landscape, and especially the staff, everything was simply impeccable. I’d like to share a few standout points:

Staff: Each member of the staff was the epitome of attentiveness, courtesy, and genuine warmth. Conversations with them were always a delight.

Room: Our 5th-floor room offered a breathtaking view of the “Jigoku Dani.” While the site's historical significance as a place of Christian persecution evokes a mix of emotions, it’s undeniably awe-inspiring to be in such close proximity to it. Additionally, the beds ensured a restful night.

Hot Spring: A notable feature was the private hot spring bath in each room. It allowed us 24-hour access to serene moments while gazing upon the picturesque valley. However, for those seeking a communal bath experience, this might not be the hotel of choice.

Dining Experience: The meals were nothing short of divine. The beef I savored for dinner was so tender, it simply melted in my mouth. A word of caution: the dinner menu appears to be set, which might pose a challenge for those with specific dietary needs, such as vegetarians. For the rest, it promises a culinary delight. Amenities: The complimentary access to the rooftop and 2nd-floor bars was a bonus, with the former offering an unparalleled view of the surroundings.

Value for Money: Admittedly, the Unzen Kyushu Hotel comes with a premium price tag. However, having experienced its offerings firsthand, I believe it provides excellent value, particularly considering the gourmet dining experiences.

In summary, if you're in search of luxury, culinary excellence, and unparalleled views, the Unzen Kyushu Hotel stands as an...