Traveling to Kobe with my parents, choosing Portopia Hotel was definitely the right decision! First off, they have a shuttle bus that makes getting to and from Sannomiya super convenient. Secondly, the hotel exudes an old-school luxury, with thoughtful design evident everywhere. The extra bed was incredibly comfortable, and the restaurant offers amazing views. My only regret is that we had to leave the rooftop observation deck quickly due to strong winds.
The balcony view was truly amazing, but the hotel itself is quite old. The room we were given had no charging outlets by the bed, so we had to move the desk to charge our devices under the vanity and behind the TV. The air conditioning vent made a strange 'ticking' noise; it wasn't too bad during the day, but at night, when everything else was quiet, it became really noticeable.
On the plus side, the lady at the front desk spoke excellent English. However, the shuttle service to and from Sannomiya wasn't very convenient, and the breakfast was just mediocre.
I definitely won't be staying here again on my next visit to Kobe.
it was stated as a smoking room but honestly there’s no cigarette smell! conveniently located right beside a 7-11 konbini & a few more others down the road! i love how towels, slippers, toiletries & even pajamas are generously provided. the nearest exit is exit 6 (stairs) and exit 14!!!!! (upslope if you’re heading to the hotel down) has a godsend elevator! would def book this hotel when i’m back in kobe :-)
Title: Squeaky Clean and Good Storage, But Be Aware of Strict Cashless Fees and Missing Essentials
Review:
I recently stayed at the Sotetsu Fresa Inn Kobe Sannomiya. While the hardware of the hotel is good, certain policies and service gaps significantly impacted the comfort of my stay.
On the positive side, the hygiene standards here are excellent. The room was spotless and very modern, which is always the most critical factor for me when traveling. I also want to express my appreciation for the luggage keeping arrangement. Being able to store my bags securely and easily both before check-in and after check-out was a huge help, allowing me to explore Kobe freely without the burden of heavy luggage.
However, international travelers need to be aware of a major caveat: this is a strictly ”cashless” hotel. I attempted to pay with cash to avoid bank fees, but was refused. I was forced to use my VISA card, which meant I was hit with foreign transaction and exchange fees that amounted to roughly an extra 5% cost on my trip. I found this policy very rigid and frustrating for guests who prefer using cash.
Furthermore, the in-room amenities and service were disappointing. Guests should know that the rooms are completely bare of essentials—there are no razors, toothbrushes, or toothpaste provided in the room. Realizing this late at night caused unnecessary trouble. Additionally, the housekeeping service lacked attention to detail; even though my Yukata (sleepwear) was clearly used and left out to be changed, the staff did not replace it with a fresh one.
Overall, Sotetsu Fresa Inn offers a very clean environment, but the lack of basic in-room amenities and the strict payment policy make it difficult for me to fully recommend it to travelers trying to manage their budget and convenience.
Great location, right between Himeji Castle and Himeji Station. It's just one block from Himeji Station, about a 6-7 minute walk. The hotel is surrounded by shopping and dining areas, including popular old coffee shops and oden restaurants. Himeji Castle is also only about a 6-7 minute walk away, and you can enjoy it just by looking at it from the outside. The hotel is very new, and the rooms are a decent size (by Japanese hotel standards).
Amazing location! Right outside the station. Fantastic value for money. The breakfast is consistently delicious and plentiful. The view is also spectacular. They even had Christmas decorations up quite early. This chain is always a safe bet; I prioritize staying with them whenever they're in a city I'm visiting.
This is a very established international hotel chain, located about 700 meters walk from Sannomiya Station. Despite being in a bustling commercial area near the station, it's incredibly quiet at night, ensuring a peaceful sleep. It's also very close to attractions like Kitano Ijinkan and Ikuta Shrine, both within walking distance. The room was very spacious, easily accommodating two open 28-inch suitcases with plenty of room to spare. The bed was comfortable, and the complimentary access to the 'san-wanna' (spa/sauna) was a highlight. I would definitely stay here again on my next visit to Kobe.
This hotel, newly opened in 2023, has very new rooms. The 21-square-meter superior twin room features a shower with a separate wet and dry area. The hotel's location is extremely convenient; the elevator goes directly to the underground level, leading straight to the ticket gates for Hankyu and Hanshin lines. A short walk of a few dozen meters to the right takes you to Kobe JR Station, making it very easy to go sightseeing. The Hankyu and Hanshin stops are called 'Kosoku Kobe Station,' while the JR Kobe stop is 'JR Kobe Station.' It's only 2 or 3 stops to Sannomiya Station, the commercial center. Downstairs from the hotel, there's a large supermarket called 'Life,' and another big supermarket, 'KOHYO,' is located next to JR Kobe Station. Exploring large supermarkets is always a fun activity when traveling in Japan. The hotel service is typical Japanese standard – polite and efficient. You can contact the front desk if you need anything, but a thick duvet might not be changeable even if you ask (luckily, the AC cooling works well). Kobe is beautiful, and Kobe beef is amazing – definitely worth spending a few extra days here! 😊
We had a very spacious corner twin room for 2 of us! So generous! Also the onsen was very clean and we loved it! Parking was full when we arrived but they directed us to a nearby parking lot with fixed parking rate. Love this place!
The location of Kobe Lumen Hotel is very good. It is in the city and the parking lot is easy to find. It is in the alley directly opposite the hotel and the price is reasonable. The hotel service is very good. We arrived very late and the check-in time was past, but they did not neglect us and arranged to check in immediately. When we checked out in the morning, we were 5 minutes late and they did not say anything. They were very gentle. The room was very clean and warm. The sound insulation effect was very good and suitable for living. In short, because of the comparison with the previous one, this one is simply heaven.
The only flaw is that the room is a little small. Everything else is acceptable, mainly because of the cheap price.
Very Good
190 reviews
8.5/10
Price from
€ 19
per night
Check Availability
See All Hotels With Breakfast in Hyogo Prefecture
Latest Reviews for Hyogo Prefecture Hotels
See all
9.1/10
Great
ZZhezidashuA very satisfying trip to Awaji Island was made even better by our hotel. Everything was arranged in the best way. We changed buses from Kyoto and confirmed the pick-up station through the Ctrip platform. When we arrived, it was still early, so we took the free shuttle bus to go shopping (with luggage back to the hotel). We used the coupons to buy lunch and ice cream at Hello Kitty. When checking in, the male waiters all kneel down to serve, and confirm the information of dinner and going out the next day. The room we stayed in is a single-family round house like a yurt with a viewing balcony and a wooden bath. The details of the room are all local characteristics (dressing box, free mini bar/dessert, washbasin are all petrified wood). The central roof is transparent and empty, and you can also observe the stars. We enjoyed the food here for 5 days, especially the dinner was not repeated and changed in various styles. What surprised me was that the waitress could perform saxophone and flute at dinner, and there was a restaurant like a stage on the island where you could also enjoy the waiter's musical performance. The 20,000 consumption vouchers given for 5 days are enough for you to go out for free at noon. We also bought Hello Kitty exclusive gifts for the children at the Big Apple with the vouchers. This trip to Awaji Island is more memorable than the trip to Kyoto, and the people are simple and honest. Everyone is working hard to promote tourism in Awaji Island, which is worthy of praise. I will bring my children here next time.
AAnonymous User对不是日本人完全不友善的酒店
Not foreigner ( Western & Asian) friendly. We travelled around 70 Roykan in the last 3 years and this is the wrost service we ever had. Japanese get to seat and offered juices when they checked in while we have to stand at the front desk and no juice offered. We asked for the yukata rental (free rental) and the young staff just ignore us twice. We asked for sizes a few times then he just said it’s all here. Then when we picking the only two small sizes he grabbed and give it to the Japanese girl and ignore us or never ask us before he took it as he knows we are looking into those. Very rude.
Most of ryokan will bring you to the room or assist to bring luggage or already put in the room for you. This one you do everything yourself after check in.
When we get into the hotel room it’s hot as no aircon is on. Then air con is broken so we called reception. With their broken English they insisted I don’t know how to turn on the aircon which I told them the air con is broken, after 15mins on the phone showing me how to on I keep telling them to send the staff up as we are so hot in the room as it’s summer and no window open and no fan was on after moving luggage. They came up and fix the air con for 45mins then told us it’s broken and need to change room. The whole hour we were sweating but no offer of water / drinks or anything and we just stand in the room while they fixing. When they decided the room need to be changed, they asked us to wait downstairs but leave the luggage in the room so we thought they will move luggage to the new room but they did not. Staff see us so hot at lobby didn’t tell us there is free drinking machine that we can get ice juices , they just watch us hot and sweat and not saying a word. When the new room is finished, they gave us the new room key and asked us to move the luggage ourself and return the old key. No help at all and wasted 1.5 hours of our onsen time. No apologies as well. I feel like being treated like a trash. Not enjoyable at all.
I paid extra for the sea view room which when they change my room they offered a slightly bigger room but my sea view was mostly blocked (in the pic )which I am not so happy.
There is amenities corner at the lobby, at night after the onsen we come back and want to take the lotion as early on it was gone and they didn’t replenish, the female staff have a bad attitude and flip her eyes ask us which room we stayed, we showed her the key and she said the cream is already in the room which her broken English. There is one set in the room but those are small one time pack which we finish after we had the onsen so we want to take another one. She was rude and insist we can’t take. Her attitude was so bad seems like we are stealing. There is an amenities cornor, if you not allowing guest to take please do not have this setup.
Food is okay with the buffet. Wagyu beef is nice but they is a normal standard for Japanese onsen buffet nothing too special.
Overall, with the price paying compare to other roykan in Japan, this hotel have very bad service to non Japanese. There is also nothing special for this onsen. Probably best to try somewhere else.
GGuest UserThis single room was booked for a friend, and they were very satisfied. For praises and suggestions about the hotel, please refer to my previous review. The hotel is conveniently located within walking distance to attractions like Meriken Park, Kobe Port, Chinatown, Kyu-kyoryuchi (Old Foreign Settlement), Kitano Ijinkan-gai (Foreigner's Street), and the Sannomiya shopping street. You can also visit KOHYO Life Supermarket (see photo 4) which has many delicious items. The supermarket is located at the east exit of Sannomiya Station; you can spot its sign halfway up the tall building from a distance.
GGuest UserThe hotel is old yet classic. Everything is in general well maintained, and the staff are very helpful and friendly.
The hotel may not be so accessible compared with those in Sannomiya, but the hotel offers shuttle bus to Sannomiya daily and Shin-Kobe on weekends. It helps you get around and go to the train stations. However, do note that the bus may be full sometimes. But even so or if you miss the bus, it won’t be long to walk to Kobe (Rapid and Special Rapid) or Motomachi (Rapid), depending on the train you need to take. I really like the view. Even the room not facing the sea has a nice view both during the day and night. The Meriken park is also just downstairs.
The hotel has a free self-service laundry and a Family Mart, but there are limited items to buy after 8 PM since no staff will be there. Another limitaiton is that the gym and the food service both close after 10 PM, if I recall correctly.
AAnonymous UserTitle: Squeaky Clean and Good Storage, But Be Aware of Strict Cashless Fees and Missing Essentials
Review:
I recently stayed at the Sotetsu Fresa Inn Kobe Sannomiya. While the hardware of the hotel is good, certain policies and service gaps significantly impacted the comfort of my stay.
On the positive side, the hygiene standards here are excellent. The room was spotless and very modern, which is always the most critical factor for me when traveling. I also want to express my appreciation for the luggage keeping arrangement. Being able to store my bags securely and easily both before check-in and after check-out was a huge help, allowing me to explore Kobe freely without the burden of heavy luggage.
However, international travelers need to be aware of a major caveat: this is a strictly ”cashless” hotel. I attempted to pay with cash to avoid bank fees, but was refused. I was forced to use my VISA card, which meant I was hit with foreign transaction and exchange fees that amounted to roughly an extra 5% cost on my trip. I found this policy very rigid and frustrating for guests who prefer using cash.
Furthermore, the in-room amenities and service were disappointing. Guests should know that the rooms are completely bare of essentials—there are no razors, toothbrushes, or toothpaste provided in the room. Realizing this late at night caused unnecessary trouble. Additionally, the housekeeping service lacked attention to detail; even though my Yukata (sleepwear) was clearly used and left out to be changed, the staff did not replace it with a fresh one.
Overall, Sotetsu Fresa Inn offers a very clean environment, but the lack of basic in-room amenities and the strict payment policy make it difficult for me to fully recommend it to travelers trying to manage their budget and convenience.
GGuest UserGrand Mercure Awaji Island boasts unparalleled sea views of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge and the Seto Inland Sea. Its excellent location, however, makes it best suited for guests traveling by car. Our sea-view room was spacious and comfortable, with floor-to-ceiling windows that made the morning sea sunrise a daily spectacle. Both breakfast and dinner offered a wide variety of dishes; we especially recommend the Awaji Island milk and local onion specialties. However, dining options nearby are limited, meaning you'll likely rely on the hotel's restaurant for dinner. Without a car, finding other dining spots would require a taxi.
The hotel service was attentive, and the front desk staff spoke fluent English, providing helpful guides to local attractions. While the rooftop open-air hot spring bath isn't natural, it was uncrowded, peaceful, and incredibly relaxing with its sea views. On the downside, the facilities are a bit dated, and there's a noticeable lack of family-friendly entertainment options.
Overall, this hotel is ideal for guests seeking serene sea views and a relaxed pace, offering particularly excellent value for money during the off-season.
MM230456****I was surprised to find out this is a Marriott-affiliated business express hotel. The interior is pretty standard, nothing much to rave about, but they've replaced some plastic fixtures like the toilet paper holder and faucet with metal ones, and everything is spotlessly clean. This really sets it apart from other 3-star express hotels. It's located right on a main road, so if you're very sensitive to noise, especially in the mornings, it might be a bit uncomfortable. As for breakfast, it's a choice of one of four set meals from the Sukiya next door. I've had Sukiya beef bowls so many times I'm practically sick of them, but the one I got this time was a different kind I hadn't tried before. It was delicious and filling, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I'll definitely book this place again. It's cheap and convenient – highly recommended!
AAnonymous UserQuite a nice hotel. Accessible to places via walking. The room is clean and comfortable.
Daily changing of towels and bath robes is provided (may not be that environmental friendly).
It will be good to provide a few hangers 😊
Otherwise, it's been a pleasant stay in the hotel.
SShanqiqianchunWe used this hotel as a base for our trip to Amagasaki. It was close to the station and had all the necessary amenities, so we had a very comfortable stay.
It was a good memory to travel with my family.
Access to Hanshin Amagasaki was just a short bus ride away, so there were no problems.
The hotel staff were also very friendly.
As is common in hotels, it was very dry, but the air purifier provided was clean and we used it without hesitation.
AAnonymous UserAlthough the facilities are old, but the hygiene level is still neat, if four people live in a small room is super crowded, recommended to add more than 1100 HKD to change a larger room, but was full room can not be replaced, 1 parking 2 meals package includes dinner kaiseki cuisine, feeling is a super ordinary meal with the group, don't have any expectations, sashimi is not fresh, beef shabu shabu is delicious, but the amount is very small, if you ask for guests, it is recommended to eat outside before staying, casually satisfy your hunger to stay for dinner. Also, a free bowl of ramen will be given in the evening to satisfy your hunger.
To book a hotel on Trip.com, simply enter your destination, travel dates, and the number of guests on the page. Then, browse through the available hotels and select the one you want to book. Follow the prompts to enter your payment information and complete the booking.
How do I get hotel deals on Trip.com?
There are several ways to find affordable hotels on Trip.com. You can narrow down your search results by filtering hotels according to your preferred price range, or you can sort the results by price to view the cheapest options first.
Where can I find hotel deals on Trip.com?
Trip.com offers a wide variety of hotel deals and promotions that are available throughout the year. You can easily find these special offers on our deals page. What's more, if you are a member of our loyalty program, you can sign in to your account and discover exclusive discounted rates at hotel list pages.
How can I get lower prices for hotels?
Sometimes booking hotels midweek is cheaper, but it also depends on the season.
How many hotels are listed on Trip.com?
With over 1,500,000 hotels across 230+ countries and regions, Trip.com has options for every traveller. Unsure where to stay? Explore the site for great ideas and find the perfect stay!
Can I cancel or change my hotel bookings on Trip.com?
It depends on the hotel policy and date of cancellation. Please check the policy section of the related hotel pages. To cancel or change your bookings, sign in to your Trip.com account, go to "My Bookings", and follow the instructions.
How do I contact Trip.com customer support?
You can contact Trip.com's 24/7 customer support by visiting the Help Center on Trip.com and submitting a request. You can also contact us by phone or service chat, depending on your location.