Kamenoi Hotel Aso Park Resort

This hotel offers a memorable stay, particularly for its extensive buffet dining and a variety of onsen baths, making it a popular choice for families with children seeking a fun and relaxing getaway. Its location near Mount Aso and various attractions also appeals to sightseers and motorcycle tourists. Guests frequently highlight the hotel's spacious accommodations and the range of family-friendly amenities available. To enhance your experience, it is advisable to confirm the hotel's current renovation status and inquire about the specific onsen availability upon arrival, as some facilities may be affected. Additionally, consider booking your dinner times early, especially during peak seasons, to secure your preferred slot.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel provides a range of facilities designed to enhance guest enjoyment, particularly for families. A highlight is the indoor heated pool, which, despite some guests finding the water a bit cool, is a major hit with children. The game center and kids' room also offer ample entertainment. Guests appreciate the convenience of a laundry room, though its operating hours are somewhat limited. The hotel boasts multiple onsen baths, including a large public bath and smaller indoor options, some offering scenic views. A unique feature in the onsen locker room is a body refresher machine. While free Wi-Fi is available, some guests noted its speed could be slow. However, some facilities show their age, with parts of the hotel appearing old and dated, and the overall layout can be complex and maze-like, requiring long walks to reach rooms or amenities.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests generally find the rooms to be spacious, providing ample space for relaxation, and many appreciate the comfortable beds and well-chilled refrigerators. Some rooms are equipped with toiletries for infants, a thoughtful touch for families. However, the hotel's age is noticeable in some areas, with reports of old and dated room decor, including stains on mattresses and furniture, peeling wallpaper, and occasional dust or insect carcasses. Some guests experienced toilet odor or poor drainage in their in-room baths. The centralized air conditioning system, which only offers heating or fan settings, can lead to rooms feeling stuffy, prompting some to open windows. Noise from other rooms, such as running or talking, can also be an issue. Additionally, the old-style room keys are often described as difficult to operate.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel's buffet dining is a significant draw, consistently praised for its extensive variety of Japanese, Western, and Chinese dishes. Many guests rave about the delicious food, highlighting items like crab, barbecued chicken, pizza, local milk ice cream, and red beef hamburger. The free-flow alcohol option, including beer, sake, and highball, is a popular feature. A night ramen service is also available, though some guests were unaware of it. While the food quality is generally high, some guests noted that certain items were not always hot, and the buffet area can become crowded and noisy, especially during peak times or with large tour groups. Some guests also felt that the quality of certain items, like sashimi, was comparable to supermarket standards, and that the menu lacked significant changes for longer stays.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's location is highly advantageous for exploring the Aso region, being conveniently situated near Mount Aso and popular attractions such as the Aso Volcano Museum, Aso Shrine, and Cuddly Dominion. Guests traveling by car appreciate the ample outdoor parking available on-site, and the hotel is easily accessible by road from major cities like Fukuoka. Additionally, there is a convenience store and a bento shop nearby, adding to guest convenience. However, the hotel is not close to the train station, requiring a taxi or a 20-minute walk for those relying on public transport. Some guests also found the hotel's sign difficult to spot from the main road, leading to initial navigation challenges.

Staff & Service
The hotel staff receive mixed feedback, with many guests praising the helpfulness and attentiveness of numerous team members, particularly in the dining areas and among some front desk personnel. Guests appreciate the quick check-in process when the lobby is not crowded, and the staff's willingness to accommodate special requests, such as birthday cake preparations. Some staff members are noted for their excellent communication skills, including English proficiency, and their ability to interact positively with children. Conversely, some guests reported inconsistent front desk service, including instances of unhelpful or slow responses, a lack of greetings, and insufficient information regarding taxes or services. There were also reports of booking issues leading to unexpected charges and a perceived staff shortage affecting service speed, such as slow replenishment of buffet items or onsen cleaning.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware that the hotel is currently undergoing renovation, which may result in some noise, scaffolding impacting views, and certain facilities being temporarily unavailable. This ongoing work has been a point of concern for some visitors. Another unique aspect is the old-style room keys, which many guests found difficult and cumbersome to operate. Furthermore, some guests noted that diaper changing stations were not readily available in public areas, which could be an inconvenience for families with infants. The hotel also features a designated smoking room for guests.