4-Star Hotels in Nikko

This small, beautiful hotel is tastefully decorated with Japanese art and objects. We chose Western-style beds.  The room was spacious and airy. Sandals are provided for walking in the hallways; no shoes or sandals on the room’s traditional mats.  Breakfast and dinner are high cuisine, artfully presented in private dining rooms. The set dinner menu is 7 courses and way too much food, even with small individual portions of each serving (similar to a tasting menu, but highly traditional Japanese). The sashimi was the freshest I have ever eaten. The chef accommodated our dietary restriction of no meat. Shuttle vans can be arranged for pick up and drop off at train stations and local shrines. The staff’s English is limited so find a good translation app.

The hotel environment is very good. The hygiene is clean. The room is tidy. The service is also warm and considerate. There will be a drum welcome ceremony. There is also a free water bar in the lobby. You can drink tea and enjoy the scenery. The dinner restaurant needs to pass through the suspension bridge. The dinner is also unique. The hot spring water quality is also good. There are soup flowers. It is very comfortable to soak in.

The room was spacious, the bed was comfortable, and the view was great. The free cocktail and coffee services in the lobby were nice, as well as the free drink bar (including one beer per person) near the entrance to the hot spring. The paid massage service was also good. The meals were decent, especially the grilled beef, which simply melted in my mouth. The restaurant staff welcomed us warmly and provided friendly service. Cons: The variety of hot springs was lacking, and the view from the hot springs was almost blocked, which was disappointing. The lockers for valuables used combination dials, and foreign guests often didn’t know how to use them, locking their room keys inside and struggling to reopen them. This was a major inconvenience. They should switch to a key-and-wristband system like other onsen hotels. The room itself felt like an old, once-grand mansion that had seen better days. The furniture had many scratches, and the surfaces were worn and peeling. It made me think it must have been impressive in the past. Still, the room was definitely more spacious compared to other hotels.

My first time visit to Japan and I was after an authentic Japanese accommodation. I booked a Japanese Style room with futon beds which were very comfortable. The room was beautiful and very clean. My booking also included breakfast and dinner which were always outstanding, beautifully prepared and unique food items. They utilized farm to table dining and the women explained each item served. They provided and encouraged one to wear Kimonos’s /tabi socks / slippers during one’s stay at, “ Nikko Iwaiyado Juyan “. Which further contributed to the authentic Japanese vibe. Indoor and outdoor hot tubs were amazing. I wouldn’t hesitate to stay there again. The hotel is nestled within mountains and the setting serene. Hotel is family owned and they take pride in caring for their guests.

Nikko Hoshino Yado was, without a doubt, the most stunning chapter of our trip. It's much more than just a hotel; it's a living temple of Japanese aesthetics. The beauty of its garden is comparable to the renowned Ruriko-in – the same interplay of light and shadow, the same myriad shades of autumn leaves, but with an added sense of private immersion. Staying in a room with a view of the autumn foliage, the window frame becomes a canvas, with the ever-changing seasonal scenery as its most priceless artwork. The kaiseki dinners and breakfasts are not merely a feast for the taste buds but also a visual art. Each dish is like a delicate haiku, narrating the seasonal stories of Nikko through the finest ingredients of the season. Then, sinking into the indoor and outdoor *furo* (baths), letting the warm spring water embrace your body, you can gaze upon the autumn colors of the garden or the starlit night sky. This ambiance is simply perfect. This wasn't just a stay; it was a profound healing experience centered around Japanese beauty.

One of the worst locations at Kinugawa Onsen area. Hidden in the mountain, no significantly beautiful view. Despite we need to pay for ”Hoshino Resort price”, unlike other cheaper hotels, we need to PAY for TAXI ourselves and getting a taxi during new year time is a terribly painful. Hotel staff lack of initiatives getting us cab instead we need to open different apps and such ... and on the way back the following day we ended up walking for 20 mins by ourselves .... Food is ok, onsen is ok, cleanliness ok, but nothing super ordinary. You can pay attention to details in decorations and inhouse services, but you can't pay attention to one of the most obvious services you HAVE TO provide to your guests, Hoshino ---- shuttle service .......

The onsen hotel is near Tobu World Square station. The staff were incredibly helpful. I went to the wrong building, but they walked me to the correct one. I left my backpack there before check-in time, and when I returned in the evening, it was still in my room. The room was very spacious. The breakfast buffet was plentiful and delicious. The staff even offered to take photos for me. The hotel has a beautiful view.

I read the mixed reviews and was concerned about my choice, particularly those which highlighted some concerns on the service, etc. Generally, it's an acceptable hotel. We met friendly and very helpful foreign staff who were sincere. I think mainly because all the staff has to multi-task from the front desk to meals etc, they may not appear very attentive. But we had a good experience with the foreign staff so far, particularly Adihadara. I am not sure if I spelt his name correctly. I call him ”Adi” in short. He was eager to help my husband with our luggage and took note of our preference for a table at the window for our meals. The property does appear aged and some apparent wear and tear but their effort to maintain it at this level of general acceptable look and feel is commendable. At the end of our two nights stay, we did have an enjoyable time to chill and relax at the hotel.

Really enjoyed my stay, lots of locals come here. Outdoor onsen was good, buffet food was decent too (favourite was the beef!). Extra points for the massage chair which was really a good relieve after a long day. Only drawback is pillow was too small and too soft which gave me neck aches the next morning. Location a little far out from town, would need a car to get here for convenience. But overall a great stay and will come recommend!

Considering the price, I felt the quality of the food was not up to par. The breakfast was well thought out and the ingredients were tasty, but dinner was lackluster. The Yonaki noodles at night were tasty, but I thought they were served as cheap Chinese noodles. I visited after the renovation and was curious, but I feel there is still room for improvement.