City Hotel in Kokubu

The hotel is highly regarded for its excellent value and its signature feature, the natural hot spring, which is a major draw for guests seeking relaxation. Many appreciate the delicious food served at the convenient on-site izakaya, and the attentive staff consistently receive praise for their helpfulness. While the hotel's age is noted, it is generally kept clean. This hotel is an ideal fit for business travelers due to its proximity to local factories, budget-conscious guests looking for great cost-performance with meals and hot spring access, and couples or families seeking a relaxing stay. To enhance your visit, be aware that some public bath lockers require a small coin, and consider requesting a room away from high-traffic areas if you are sensitive to noise from other guests.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel's primary amenity is its natural hot spring, which is highly praised for its quality and free-flowing water. Guests can enjoy a large public bath featuring different temperature baths, a sauna, and a refreshing cold water bath that uses famous local water. While the public bath lockers within the changing area require a 20 yen coin for use, free lockers are conveniently available for guests in the passage leading to the bath. The hot spring is popular not only with hotel guests but also with locals, indicating its high regard. Additionally, the hotel offers rental bicycles, providing a convenient way for guests to explore the surrounding area.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests frequently note the age of the rooms, describing them as old but generally clean and livable. However, feedback on room comfort is mixed, with a significant number of guests reporting issues with odors, particularly a lingering tobacco smell in smoking rooms. Some also mentioned concerns about dust or mold-like stains in the public bath's changing area. Noise levels are a recurring concern for many, as the thin walls mean that voices and sounds from the corridor or adjacent rooms can be easily heard, potentially disrupting sleep. Despite these issues, some guests still find the rooms quiet enough to ensure a sound sleep.

Dining & Food Quality
The on-site izakaya (Japanese pub) is a highlight for many guests, consistently receiving praise for its delicious food and friendly staff. This venue serves as both a popular dinner spot and the breakfast venue. Guests frequently commend the excellent value of meal-inclusive plans, especially the dinner, which often features a rich variety of local specialties such as fresh sashimi, Kibinago tempura, Kurobuta pork stew, and Wagyu beef hot pot. The breakfast is widely described as substantial and satisfying, with some guests particularly enjoying specific dishes like the eggplant miso. The option to order local shochu further enhances the dining experience.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's location is particularly convenient for business travelers due to its proximity to the Kyocera factory. While not situated in the immediate city center, it is considered a good base for sightseeing, being near Shiroyama Park, which offers scenic views of Sakurajima. Accessibility from Kagoshima Airport is manageable, approximately 30 minutes by car or a 15-minute walk from the nearest bus stop. Parking is available, accommodating various vehicle sizes. Guests have mixed opinions on the convenience of nearby amenities; some find convenience stores and family restaurants within a short drive or a walkable distance, while others feel the area lacks immediate dining and shopping options, suggesting a taxi for downtown excursions.

Staff & Service
The staff consistently receives high praise for their helpfulness, friendliness, and attentive service, contributing significantly to a positive guest experience. Many guests commend the first-class hospitality extended by the entire team, from the front desk personnel who are described as kind and accommodating, to the friendly staff at the on-site izakaya. Guests particularly appreciate the staff's willingness to accommodate late arrivals, ensuring a smooth and stress-free check-in process. Their proactive assistance with various needs, such as making taxi reservations for local excursions or airport transfers, is frequently highlighted as a valuable service. This dedication to providing excellent and personalized service ensures guests feel well-cared for and comfortable throughout their stay.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware of specific operational details regarding the natural hot spring. It is generally available from daytime until 11 PM, with no morning bath option, which is an important consideration for those planning their relaxation schedule. While there are free lockers for hotel guests in the passage leading to the bath, the lockers within the public bath's changing area require a 20 yen coin for use, a small but notable detail for convenience. For guests sensitive to smoke, it is important to note that smoking rooms may have a lingering tobacco odor despite regular cleaning, which some non-smoking guests found challenging. A unique and pleasant touch mentioned by some guests is the occasional presence of citrus fruit floating in the hot spring, enhancing the bathing experience.