InterContinental has opened a resort in Southwestern Japan, with a focus on traditional hot springs culture.

The ANA InterContinental Beppu Resort & spa is the region’s first international luxury resort, and offers two large outdoor onsens, or traditional Japanese hot springs.

Each onsen is designed with the selection and arrangement of Beppu stones selected by skilled masons, and placed to create a waterfall effect as if the hot spring water is overflowing from the mountain.

The private onsen rooms offer a modern onsen experience within a space complete with a day bed, bathroom and minimalist design.

The heart of the resort is the iconic infinity pool, designed to unite the sky with the view overlooking Beppu’s hot springs below.

Elevating the cleansing and healing powers of myoban water is the resort spa. In partnership with luxury Thai spa brand HARNN, the spa offers a selection of tailor-made treatments and therapies using materials derived from nature.

The spa offers five treatment rooms with private en suites and outdoor garden, and two double massage rooms featuring a whirlpool made from Japanese cypress.

ANA InterContinental Beppu Resort & Spa features a design inspired by nature and local artisans. Featured across the resort is work from local artists and craftsmen, using traditional materials from various parts of Kyushu and local Oita prefecture.

The 89 guest rooms, including 10 suites, range from 62 to 212 square meters, including large onsen or hot baths. All Suites and Club InterContinental rooms feature private open-air baths on the terrace with views of Beppu Bay.

Hans Heijligers, head of Japan, IHG, and IHG ANA Hotels Group Japan, said: “On behalf of IHG and IHG/ANA Japan, we are extremely proud to open the first international luxury hot spring resort and spa in Beppu. InterContinental has been pioneers in luxury travel for over 70 years, delivering the allure of the InterContinental Life in all corners of the world. We are delighted to continue bringing the brand’s iconic hospitality, combining international know-how and local wisdom to new destinations as IHG continues to grow its luxury presence across the globe and in Japan.”

The ANA InterContinental Beppu Resort & Spa is one of four immersive IHG resorts to open in 2019, with InterContinental Hayman Island Resort opened on 1 July and InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort and InterContinental Phuket Resort opening in September.