Hot Springs Hotels in Nagano Prefecture, Japan

Absolutely stunning! The hotel itself is a resort. It's beautiful, clean, and the service is excellent. We rented bicycles at the hotel and cycled to Old Karuizawa, the wealthy villa district, and a park with a pond (I can't recall the name). After that, we hit up the outlet mall, which is super close by. So many brands and great deals – it was a shopping paradise! They even have my favorite coffee shop and a sashimi spot there. We had such a blast, I definitely want to go back in the autumn.

The room was incredibly spacious, offering exceptional value for the price. The hotel maintains a peaceful and quiet atmosphere, which I truly appreciated. While the furniture and carpets show some slight signs of age, the overall comfort remains high. I was impressed by their Zero Waste policy; instead of plastic bottles in the room, they provide glassware and a convenient water dispenser located right by the elevator. Please note that for a two-night stay, there is no housekeeping service, which aligns with their eco-friendly initiative. The amenities were comprehensive, and the service was outstanding—truly upholding the high standards of the Mercure brand. Parking is plentiful and hassle-free. Lastly, the view is a hidden gem; on a clear day, you get an unobstructed, breathtaking panorama of the mountain range without any buildings blocking the sight. I highly recommend it for a relaxing getaway!

As a loyal Dormy Inn guest, it's my top choice for winter trips. I stayed for three nights, and even though I was worried it might be a bit old since it's been open for a while, it wasn't at all – very clean. For about 250 per person, to get a hotel with a hot spring, sauna, ramen, and massage chairs – what more could you ask for?! You don't have to book breakfast; there's a 7-Eleven next door and a Starbucks across the street. When I pushed open the door to the outdoor bath, it was snowing heavily – a beautiful moment added to life!

It was the first night of my entire trip—and also the most expensive one. But it was absolutely worth it! Lake Suwa was right in front of the hotel. If you take the train, it might be a bit of a walk, but since I drove, the location was perfect. The hotel was incredibly spacious, and the onsen was lovely. Dinner (a full course meal) was exceptional, and breakfast was just as impressive—absolutely delicious! One thing I still wonder about: what were those insects outside the window at night? They clung to the glass, and I was afraid they might get inside. Thankfully, the window seals were excellent, so none of them made it indoors. Only the outdoor bath had a few, which was understandable. I truly hope I can go back again—with my mom next time!

The hotel looks old and isn't particularly striking from the street. However, the Japanese are incredibly meticulous with cleaning, so it's impeccably clean inside. The location is also super convenient (there's a great ramen place in the next building). You'll even find some retro features, like a two-handle faucet and an old TV – very authentic. My only minor complaint is that I couldn't get the air conditioning to cool, only to heat.

This is the best choice if the kids want to ski and the adults want a place to wander around! We can relax in the hot springs, stroll around the outlets, and the kids can ski to their hearts' content. We can also drive to the Karuizawa shopping street for a leisurely walk. It's an effortless trip, perfect!

The location is great, just have to cross a bridge from the train station. And there were many food options around the train station area. The room was clean and just the right size for a single traveller. There was even a microwave oven in the room! The hotel is quite strict on its check in timings, its not really a downside, just a heads up for people who might try their luck for early check ins.

We stayed for 3 nights with meals included. The buffet offered slight variations each day, especially with the tempura and sushi ingredients, soups, and cake selections. Everything was delicious, and we never got bored. Since we opted out of daily cleaning for our multi-night stay, we received a 1000 yen voucher for the hotel shop each time, which was a nice bonus during the busy season. The hotel layout was compact and well-organized. It was easy to get around from the ski locker to the public bath, restaurant, and front desk, making for a very comfortable stay. The only minor issue was the towels. We only received exactly enough bath and face towels for the number of guests. If you use one as a hand towel, you quickly run out, especially on a multi-night stay. I wish they had provided a few extra.

I stayed at this hotel for one night, and overall, it was quite a pleasant experience. I really liked my room — it was clean, modern, and comfortable. The only thing that surprised me was that the window to the balcony didn’t open, though I suppose it was designed that way. The onsen was absolutely wonderful — spacious, relaxing, and with a beautiful view of a mountain river. Definitely one of the highlights of my stay. The hotel also offers many different areas for leisure and entertainment. You can play table tennis, relax in cozy rest zones, visit small cafés and shops — there’s a lot to explore without even leaving the building. Both breakfast and dinner were delicious, with a wide variety of food to choose from. However, due to the number of guests, it was a bit challenging for the staff to manage everything smoothly. On two occasions, someone almost took my table, even though I had already placed the reservation card on it to show it was taken. That said, the staff overall were very pleasant, friendly, and helpful, and I appreciated their attitude throughout my stay. This hotel is clearly family-oriented, with many families staying with young children. There are rooms with child-friendly designs and dedicated play areas, so if you’re looking for a quiet, adult-only atmosphere, this might not be the best fit. That said, I genuinely enjoyed my stay and would consider coming back.

This hotel offers convenient ski-in/ski-out access, perfect for skiers. The open-air onsen is fantastic; a soak after a day on the slopes really helps to relieve fatigue! The room was spacious, but unfortunately, the central air conditioning meant guests couldn't adjust the room temperature, making it a bit too warm. The buffet breakfast and dinner, especially the Japanese food, were decent, but the Western options were just average. Overall, it was okay.