Top Six Moon-Viewing Landscape Hotels – Outdoor Onsens Are the Most Romantic

By MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team

The four-day Mid-Autumn Festival holiday is just around the corner, and Hotels.com has released the most popular domestic and international destinations searched by Taiwanese travelers for this break. It found that domestic travel favorites are the relaxing destinations of Pingtung and Hualien, where travelers can escape the hustle and bustle and enjoy a more refined slow-paced trip with friends and family. Among international destinations, Japan — a perennial favorite for overseas travel — remains strong despite exchange rate fluctuations, taking five of the top spots. Tokyo, Osaka, and Okinawa occupy the top three international travel destinations, while Hong Kong and Bangkok rank fourth and fifth respectively.

Hotels and homestays ideal for moon viewing—from outdoor onsens and rooftop pools to skylight rooms where you can gaze at the moon from bed—have become popular themed accommodations. Many were fully booked a month ahead of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Latecomers who missed out can still add them to their wish lists as dreamy future options for stargazing and moon appreciation.

Hotels.com Ranking of Popular Hotel Destinations for the Mid-Autumn Holiday
Domestic
(Search period for accommodations: September 15–18, 2016)

Hotels.com Ranking of Popular Hotel Destinations for the Mid-Autumn Holiday
International
(Search period for accommodations: September 15–18, 2016)

Outdoor onsen moon-viewing accommodation recommendations:
1. Ryukyu Onsen Senagajima Hotel─ Okinawa 

From Okinawa’s Nakagusuku Shrine to Shurijo Castle, popular attractions can all be explored along one tram line. Visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Shurijo Castle in September offers a once-in-a-lifetime cultural experience: locals dressed in traditional attire reenact history, alongside performances of classical dances and royal selection ceremonies. The Ryukyu Onsen Senagajima Hotel, conveniently located near Naha Airport, boasts breathtaking ocean views. Soak in the onsen under the harvest moon, listening to the waves — a serene moment that warms both heart and soul.

2. Fujisan Onsen Hotel Kaneyamaen ─ Near Tokyo
 
Besides bustling Tokyo, Mount Fuji is also an iconic symbol of Japan, and the Five Lakes of Fuji offer a variety of stunning views, each unique in its own way. Don’t miss nearby Hakone during the Mid-Autumn Festival. From September to October, the golden fields of susuki grass in Senkawa Plateau are at their most radiant, offering a chance to heal your body and mind in nature’s embrace. Under the clear autumn moonlight, enjoy a peaceful soak in the outdoor onsen at Fujisan Onsen Hotel Kaneyamaen. The rising steam, combined with the full moon and distant silhouette of Mount Fuji, helps wash away the fatigue of everyday life.

Open-air pool moon-viewing accommodation recommendations:
1. InterContinental Hong Kong ─ Hong Kong
 
When it comes to Hong Kong, shopping and gourmet food are musts, and mooncakes for the Mid-Autumn Festival are naturally indispensable. From Tsim Sha Tsui to Causeway Bay, renowned mooncake brands offer a wide range of flavors, ensuring you’ll find your favorite. Nearby, K11 Mall blends art galleries into the shopping experience, making retail therapy feel like visiting an art museum. At the InterContinental Hong Kong’s outdoor pool, admire the glittering Victoria Harbour night skyline alongside the city’s vibrant lights. Enjoy a mooncake with the beautiful scenery before you, while gazing up at the endless starry sky. The pool’s surface reflects the full moon — nothing could be more delightful.