The Best Hotels to Book in Kobe, Japan

Views don’t come much better than at this luxurious hotel, with every room having an ocean-view terrace – some even feature opulent jacuzzis. The scenes inside the rooms are impressive, too, with a classic design and plush furnishings. Also, the on-site dining options are equally superb; try the Restaurant Le Cœur Kobe for exquisite kobe beef and sake from all over Japan.

From the chic, minimalist rooms to the soaring breakfast room and the kids’ club stocked with toys and games, Kobe Bay Sheraton Hotel and Towers is a great all-round choice for a family escape. The onsen (hot springs) spa brings a slice of classic Japanese relaxation at the end of the day. Elsewhere, the hotel has several excellent restaurants; try the teppanyaki steak at the Kobe Grill French Restaurant.

A child of the 19th-century tradition of ijinkan, immigrants who would bring their architectural styles to Kobe, this hotel has a French red-brick exterior, a lovely courtyard and garden, and rooms with an old-world European style. The food is a similar fusion of French and Japanese, with the signature dish of fugu fish with crispy potatoes served in an elegant dining room.

This soaring monolith encloses stylish guest rooms, their classic decor complemented by vibrant artwork depicting life in Osaka Bay. Some feature recessed windows with banquettes where you can relax and drink in the view over the bay, city and green hills beyond. A beautifully designed garden features Zen-like pools and flickering firepits, while you can browse for new threads at an on-site clothing boutique.

Opening onto a pleasant green garden dotted with trees and with the Seto Inland Sea and the majestic Pearl Bridge beyond, this beautiful hotel has an enviable location. Rooms are decked out in a European style, with nearly all of them featuring views over the bay, while the Key West bar and restaurant on the 14th floor offers more sweeping views.

There’s a classic look about this hotel, from the oak-panelled corridors to the rooms decked out with plush sofas and adorned with black-and-white photography of landmarks in Kobe. Special Japanese products used in the rooms include soft towels from Senshu, leather from Tatsuno and tea from Kobe. Breakfast is a lavish spread of beautiful locally sourced goods, from juicy cherries to freshly baked tarts and famous kobe beef.

A flower-strewn courtyard, set around a tinkling fountain, is the first thing you’ll see at this stylish hotel, which sits on a quiet hill a short way from the city centre. Guest rooms have a traditional look, with patterned sage-green wallpaper and a neutral colour scheme, while quality pizza and pasta dishes are offered at the on-site Italian restaurant. After a day exploring the city, the hotel’s onsen bathhouse and sauna are lovely places to relax.

Sleek is the word at this hotel, from its space-age, black lobby, stylishly lit by huge circular islands, to the minimalist guest rooms – those with limited mobility will find the deluxe rooms are barrier-free and wheelchair accessible. Home-baked bread and pastries, alongside healthier salad options, are available at breakfast, while complimentary coffee and tea are available in the guest lounge throughout the afternoon and evening.

Rising like a white sail from the still waters of Osaka Bay, this uniquely stylish hotel is perfectly placed for appreciating the exquisite natural beauty in the area. The setting also means that all the rooms – which are spacious and modern – overlook the ocean through their floor-to-ceiling windows and open-air balconies. Among the five restaurants is Toukashun, where delicious dim sum is the highlight of a Cantonese menu.