ANA InterContinental Beppu — Hillside Luxury Resort with Infinity Pool & Beppu Bay Views
Have you ever opened a hotel room door and just stopped — because the entire bay is right there in front of you, steam rising from the hot-spring vents below, and an infinity pool reflecting an amber sunset on the terrace? That is the opening scene at ANA InterContinental Beppu Resort & Spa, every single evening. A 9.5/10 score from 228 verified reviews on Trip.com is not hyperbole — guests consistently describe it as the finest hotel of their entire Japan trip.
Let's be direct — if you want the best hotel in Beppu, full stop, ANA InterContinental Beppu is that place. Opened in 2019 and designed by celebrated Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, the building is embedded into the Kannawa hillside with all 89 rooms oriented toward Beppu Bay. You cannot get a room without a view here. Warm timber finishes, floor-to-ceiling glass, and natural stone reference the Oita landscape without feeling like a theme park version of Japan. It is genuinely modern — and genuinely Japanese at the same time.
"Guests say the view from the room and the infinity pool is so beautiful they almost didn't want to go out to the Jigoku hells at all. Staff were warm, the onsen was fantastic — everything in one place. Worth every yen if you can manage it."
On price: this is the most expensive hotel in Beppu, and it knows it. Classic Bay View rooms start at around ¥35,000–45,000 per night during off-peak periods. Club InterContinental rooms — which add a private onsen on the terrace — start at roughly ¥55,000–65,000. Weekend rates and autumn foliage season (October–November) push prices noticeably higher. What you are paying for is a 68–102 sqm room with premium bedding, high-quality furniture, and an unobstructed bay view from your window. If you are weighing this against Suginoi Hotel at a lower price point, the honest question is whether you prioritise quiet, design and solitude, or activity and atmosphere.
The infinity pool is the single most talked-about feature in the reviews — an edge pool that appears to spill directly into Beppu Bay far below. Water temperature stays at 27°C year-round. Twelve sunloungers, a sunken lounge with eight sofas, and a jacuzzi complete the terrace. Sitting here as the geothermal steam from the Kannawa vents drifts past at sunset is the kind of moment people fly across the world for. The natural onsen baths are divided into two designs (alternating by gender): one centres on granite and Japanese cypress with a steam sauna, the other on a sculptural central rock with a cold plunge pool. Myoban spring water from the Kannawa source — known for skin-beautifying sulphur mineral content — flows into both. You can feel the difference from tap-heated water the moment you step in.
For more privacy, the Family Onsen suites can be reserved exclusively at ¥20,000 for the first hour. Each has a private outdoor bath overlooking the city and rising steam — perfect for couples or small families who want the full onsen atmosphere without sharing with strangers. The HARNN Heritage Spa (a premium Thai botanical brand) operates five treatment rooms, with the couples rooms featuring private cypress jacuzzis. Whether you choose a traditional shiatsu, deep tissue or aromatherapy, this is spa territory that genuinely matches the standard of the resort.
Dining at Éléments Restaurant centres on Oita-sourced ingredients — fresh local fish, organic vegetables, and the region's prized Bungo Wagyu beef — presented in a Modern Japanese style with Western technique. Breakfast buffet, lunch and dinner are all available. Guest reviews are largely positive on the quality of ingredients and presentation, though a handful describe the breakfast as less impressive than the room rate would lead you to expect. The dinner menu is the stronger showing — particularly the counter seats with a bay view at night, which are worth booking in advance.
Before you book, a few things to know honestly. The location is genuinely remote — perched on the Kannawa hillside, there are no convenience stores or casual restaurants within walking distance. A free shuttle runs between the hotel and Beppu Station, but it stops at 5 p.m. If you plan evenings out exploring the town or doing the Jigoku Hell Tour at your own pace, you will be taking taxis (roughly ¥1,500–2,000 each way to the station). The access road is narrow, so if you rent a car, take it slowly on the way up. Some guests have noted inconsistent English at the front desk — the hotel employs international staff and the team is generally well-regarded, but communication can vary. To put it plainly: if you are coming to Beppu to rest, soak, and absorb the view — not to rush around sightseeing all day — ANA InterContinental Beppu is the best answer this city has.
Summary from Booking & Agoda
- ✓ Infinity pool views — guests consistently call it the most beautiful moment of their entire Japan trip
- ✓ Spacious, clean rooms with premium furniture and an unobstructed bay view from every room
- ✓ Friendly staff with international team members who speak English well
- ✓ Myoban mineral onsen water — guests notice the quality difference from standard hotel baths immediately
- ! Remote hilltop location — taxis required for evening excursions after the 5 p.m. shuttle cutoff
- ! Free shuttle stops at 5 p.m., limiting spontaneous evening trips into town
- ! Noticeably more expensive than other Beppu options — worth thinking through before booking
- ✓ City and bay views from every angle — rooms, pool and onsen all face the panorama
- ✓ Architecture by Kengo Kuma — beautifully integrates modern design with the natural setting
- ✓ HARNN Heritage Spa — deep-treatment quality with cypress jacuzzis in couples rooms
- ✓ Oita-sourced dining: fresh fish, organic vegetables, Bungo Wagyu beef in a fine-dining setting
- ! Breakfast receives mixed reviews — some guests find it ordinary relative to the room rate
- ! English communication at front desk can be inconsistent depending on staff member
- ! Narrow access road — take care if self-driving up the hillside
- 💡If you plan to do the Jigoku Hell Tour and explore Beppu every day — the hillside location means taxi costs add up. The free shuttle stops at 5 p.m. If you prefer walking to attractions or stepping out for evening street food spontaneously, a more central hotel may actually suit your trip better.
- 💡If a private onsen on your own terrace is the goal — you need to book Club InterContinental level or above. Classic rooms use the shared public baths, which are excellent, but not private. Ask the reservations team which room has the most open bay aspect before confirming.
- 💡If the nightly rate gives you pause — book on weekday nights in the quieter months (February–March or September) when rates drop meaningfully. IHG One Rewards members may also find better value through the loyalty programme. Free cancellation rates are worth seeking out if your dates are flexible.