Terrace Midoubaru

Terrace Midoubaru in Beppu, Japan, a property recognized by the Michelin Key, consistently earns high praise from guests for its unique blend of modern luxury and traditional Japanese hospitality. Perched on a serene hillside, it offers a tranquil escape with breathtaking views and exceptional amenities.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

Terrace Midoubaru garners overwhelmingly positive feedback, with overall scores frequently in the "Excellent" to "Superb" range (e.g., 8.8 on Agoda, 8.8 on KAYAK, and a remarkable 9.6 for staff on Booking.com). Guests often describe their stay as "exceptional," "amazing," "wonderful," and a "luxurious escape," highlighting a deep satisfaction with the experience.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud several aspects of Terrace Midoubaru:

• Private Onsen: The in-room private hot springs (onsen) are a standout feature, offering ultimate relaxation and privacy.
• Panoramic Views: The hotel's hillside location provides stunning, unobstructed views of Beppu Bay and the city, which are a major draw.
• Exquisite Dining: Both breakfast and dinner, often served kaiseki style, are celebrated for their quality, presentation, and use of fresh, local ingredients.
• Exceptional Service: The staff's warmth, attentiveness, and professionalism receive consistent commendation.
• Contemporary Design: The hotel features a stylish, modern Japanese design that blends seamlessly with its natural surroundings.

3. Room Quality

Terrace Midoubaru offers 14 exquisitely appointed rooms designed for comfort and style. Rooms blend Japanese and Western aesthetics, featuring spacious layouts (around 35-37 square meters) and are consistently described as clean and comfortable.

A defining feature of every room is the private semi-open-air hot spring bath, allowing guests to soak in healing waters with complete privacy. Each room also boasts a private terrace or balcony, offering captivating sea or mountain/city views. Modern amenities include flat-screen TVs, Blu-ray players, refrigerators, electric kettles, free WiFi, slippers, and complimentary toiletries.

4. Dining Experience

The dining experience at Terrace Midoubaru is a significant highlight. The in-house restaurant, Setsugekka, serves "delicious and well-presented meals" that showcase the best of Japanese cuisine. Guests rave about the kaiseki-style breakfasts and dinners, praising the quality and taste of dishes prepared with fresh, seasonal ingredients from Oita Prefecture, including specialties like Bungo Beef Sukiyaki. The meals are often described as a "culinary delight" and a "feast for the senses," presented beautifully. The restaurant itself offers an elegant space with views of the surrounding natural scenery. While predominantly Japanese, some mention of Italian influences in the cuisine exists.

5. Service & Staff

The service and staff at Terrace Midoubaru consistently receive outstanding ratings, often scoring 9.3 to 9.6 for staff performance. Guests commend the team for their "warm hospitality," describing them as "friendly," "attentive," "courteous," and "professional." Staff are noted for going the "extra mile," being detail-oriented, and making guests feel welcome and comfortable. Services like luggage porterage, smooth check-in with explanatory videos, and even contacting guests about forgotten items highlight their dedication. English-speaking staff are also available to assist international travelers.

6. Location & Accessibility

Terrace Midoubaru is "nestled on a tranquil hilltop overlooking Beppu Bay," offering a serene and peaceful ambiance surrounded by nature. While offering stunning views and a sense of seclusion, its location means it's "a little pricey and inconvenient to get to" by foot.

It is approximately 5 km from the city center, a 15-17 minute drive from JR Beppu Station, and about 50 minutes from Oita Airport. The hotel recommends driving or taking a taxi, and offers complimentary self-parking. A free train station pick-up and drop-off service is also provided. Nearby attractions include Horita Onsen (a 6-minute walk), Kankaiji Onsen, Kintetsu Beppu Ropeway, and the famous Hells of Beppu.

7. Value & Pricing

Terrace Midoubaru is considered an "affordable luxury" option. Average room prices typically range from $330 to $473, though deals can be found from $136 to $567 depending on the season and booking platform. While this is higher than Beppu's average hotel room price of $187, guests consistently feel that the premium experience, including private onsen, exquisite dining, and exceptional service, provides "exceptional value for money" and is well worth the cost.

8. Common Complaints

While overwhelmingly positive, a few minor recurring points of feedback include:

• Accessibility: The hotel's secluded hillside location can be "inconvenient to get to" without a car or taxi, and walking to nearby convenience stores involves an uphill journey, which can be challenging in the dark.
• Public Onsen View: Some guests noted that the public onsen is indoor and lacks the scenic views found in the private in-room baths.
• Inconsistent Dining: A rare complaint mentioned the quality of dinner and breakfast on a second night/day was disappointing compared to the first.
• Room Cleaning: One review reported a room not being cleaned on the second day.
• Aging Facilities: A recent comment suggested that some facilities might be starting to show their age.
• Yukata Selection: Men's yukata options were noted as being more limited in variety compared to women's.
• Room View: One guest advised booking 1st-floor rooms to ensure a good view.

Sources

1. agoda.com
2. booking.com
3. kayak.com
4. booking.com
5. e-haruki.jp
6. selected-ryokan.com
7. beppu-midoubaru.jp
8. beppu-midoubaru.jp
9. beppu-midoubaru.jp
10. expedia.com.hk
11. hotels.com
12. thehotelguru.com
13. michelin.com
14. trip.com
15. beppu-midoubaru.jp
16. hotelscombined.com
17. momondo.co.uk