Grand Mercure Beppu Bay Resort & Spa グランドメルキュール別府湾リゾート＆スパ 別府灣美爵溫泉度假酒店

Grand Mercure Beppu Bay Resort & Spa is a large hillside resort overlooking Beppu Bay in Hiji Town, Hayami District, Oita Prefecture. Located at “1825 Hiramichi Iriye, Hiji-machi,” the hotel is about 30 minutes by car from central Beppu and 40–50 minutes from Oita City. It is also approximately 30 minutes from Oita Airport by car or airport bus, offering convenient access from destinations throughout Kyushu. As an official hotel of Sanrio Character Park Harmonyland, it is also well suited for family trips.

The hotel sits on the bayside facing Beppu Bay, with the sea stretching out in front and mountains rising behind. It is about a 15-minute drive from JR Beppu Station, and a complimentary shuttle bus runs between the hotel and Beppu Station or Yōgai Station (schedules and reservation requirements may vary by season, so checking the official site before use is recommended). The surrounding area is quiet, and sightseeing typically involves driving or taking local buses to destinations such as the Beppu hot spring district, Harmonyland, and the historic castle town of Kitsuki.

The resort features 289 guest rooms, including Western-style rooms, Japanese-style rooms, Japanese-Western rooms, and suites. Even standard rooms offer around 36 m² of space, providing far more room than typical business hotels. Twin, triple, and Japanese-Western rooms often include sofa beds or futons, allowing 3–4 or more guests to stay comfortably—ideal for families and groups. All rooms are non-smoking and equipped with Wi-Fi, a TV, refrigerator, electric kettle, safety box, and a bathroom with a bathtub.

Room interiors draw inspiration from Beppu Bay and Beppu’s traditional bamboo craftwork, incorporating soft colors and artistic wall designs. Ocean-view rooms look out toward Beppu Bay and Mt. Takasaki on the opposite shore, while mountain-view rooms offer lush greenery—allowing guests to enjoy Oita’s natural scenery whichever side they choose. Japanese-Western rooms and Junior Suites feature separate bed and tatami areas, making them convenient for guests with young children; some layouts can accommodate up to six guests.

The main dining venue is a buffet restaurant serving Japanese and Western dishes for both breakfast and dinner. Seafood from Beppu Bay and the Bungo Channel, Oita-grown vegetables, and locally sourced meat feature prominently, alongside live-kitchen offerings prepared fresh on the spot. The buffet includes sashimi, fish dishes, meat dishes, hot and cold items, and desserts, providing a wide range of choices for all ages. Breakfast includes regional items such as seasoned side dishes and takikomi-gohan, giving guests a taste of local flavor.

The resort draws from its own natural hot spring source, “Hiji Onsen,” a sodium-chloride spring supplied to the large public bath, open-air bath, and sauna. The open-air bath faces Beppu Bay, allowing guests to enjoy sunrise over the bay in the morning and peaceful views of the water at night. The indoor bath is spacious with ample washing stations, and combined with the sauna, it offers a classic hot-spring resort experience.

An “Onsen Lounge” is located near the large public bath, providing a softly lit, relaxing space where guests can enjoy drinks such as vinegar beverages and amazake after bathing. The hotel is designed to allow guests to move seamlessly between the baths and lounge, creating a leisurely flow throughout their stay.

One of the defining features of the hotel is its all-inclusive concept. Representative plans include buffet breakfast and dinner, drinks and snacks in the lounge, access to the hot springs and spa facilities, and selected in-house activities—all included in the room rate (premium drinks and some activities are available for an extra charge). Although lunch is not provided, the structure makes it easy for guests to unwind within the property without worrying about additional payments.

The lobby-level lounge offers time-based drink and snack service. The evening “Evening Social” features wine, beer, and soft drinks, while the nighttime “Nightcap” presents spirits and local bites. As lounge access is included for all guests, it serves as a casual third space to relax between activities, plan the next day’s itinerary, or wind down before returning to the room.

Popular summer activities include the seasonal garden pool overlooking Beppu Bay. The outdoor pool features a main area about 1.1 meters deep, along with a shallow area for young children. At night, the pool is illuminated for night pool sessions, and seasonal events such as DJ nights or kids’ activities may be scheduled. Tie-in events with Harmonyland are also held during certain seasons.

Facilities include a buffet restaurant, multiple lounges, large public bath with open-air hot spring and sauna, onsen lounge, outdoor pool, esthetic spa, banquet halls, meeting rooms, a shop, vending machines, and coin laundry. The hotel offers free Wi-Fi throughout and has the capacity to host training programs and group travel. A large on-site parking lot with around 240 free spaces ensures a convenient stay for travelers arriving by car or rental vehicle (policies may change, so checking the latest details is recommended).

Overall, Grand Mercure Beppu Bay Resort & Spa combines ocean and mountain views, its private hot spring source, spacious 36 m²–class guest rooms, all-inclusive services with lounge access, and a seasonal garden pool to create a well-rounded bayfront resort experience. It caters to families visiting Beppu, Hiji, or Harmonyland; couples seeking a relaxing hot-spring and dining-focused getaway; and groups looking for a comfortable, flexible base for exploring the region.