Hotele z: spa w Nagano Prefecture, Japan

Stepping inside, we were greeted by the iconic stove, and a thoughtful warm drink, which was a lovely touch. The service was very welcoming. The room, for Japan, was quite spacious and even had a balcony, though it was bare in winter. Both breakfast and dinner were extensive. Dinner, which we pre-booked, was a standout with its distinctive and delicious Western cuisine.

This hotel boasts an excellent location, just a five-minute walk to the Karuizawa Outlet Mall, and offers a free shuttle bus service to and from JR Karuizawa Station, making travel and shopping incredibly convenient. The property is surrounded by lush forest and greenery. The guest rooms are spacious and airy, with balconies offering serene woodland views. Each room also features a private hot spring bath, where floor-to-ceiling windows bring the mountain scenery indoors. The buffet breakfast is a delightful blend of local Shinshu ingredients and a wide variety of delicious Western options. There's even a FamilyMart convenience store in the lobby, ensuring all amenities are well-covered. The staff are polite and attentive, and guests can rent bicycles to explore the town, creating a relaxed and comfortable vacation atmosphere. It's the ideal base for short, chartered tours around Karuizawa.

We spent 2 nights in Prince after first 2 nights in Kusatsu onsen town. The hotel looked underwhelming on arrival and the front office service was efficient but cursory compared to the warm hospitality we had in the ryokan stay. It was low season and hotel was very quiet and had a ”cold” atmosphere. I was further disappointed when we were shown our room which was on the lowest floor with a simple garden view. On requesting the check-in staff for a change of room on higher floor and a more scenic view, I was told there is an upgrade charge, which I accepted. The new room was the same size and configuration but on a higher floor with a nice view of Mt Asama. While I was happy to pay the fee, I can't help but compare their practice with all the hotels that I have stayed in all these years, where room changes were complimentary so long as the room type remains the same. Nevertheless, the hotel's facilities delighted me immensely and I enjoyed the overall experience. The highlight of the hotel stay was the fantastic view of Asama in a high ceiling dining room with full glass window. We were able to have different table seatings for both morning breakfast as the hotel occupancy was low, which gave us different perspectives of the scenery. The other highlight of the hotel is the onsen facility which is located in a separate building on higher ground, accessible via a self service automated tram. Aside from Asama view in the outdoor onsens, there is a common lounge which has equally awesome view of Asama. We enjoyed our time soaking in onsen and resting in the lounge. Was I would go back to Prince Asama and experience the scenery during a different season!

What an awesome experience! The hotel offered exemplary service before we even arrived. Due to special travel arrangements, we arrived late and the staff quick to arrange an in-room bento dinner for us before our arrival. When we got there, we were immediately blown away by the gorgeousness of the hotel. Despite its age, everything was very clean and polished. I can see that great care had been taken to upkeep the hotel and it’s premises, which are extraordinarily beautiful. We couldn’t resist taking pictures even after check-out, and it took us an hour to finally reluctantly leave. Words cannot actually do the place justice, you must visit there yourself. We were very impressed with how delicious the food was, and the attention to detail, including the placement of the food, the coordination of food color. My mouth is still watering as I recall how delicious it was. I had 10 helpings of their prime rib one day. Besides, I had a dietary restriction and the staff were really careful with that, to the extent of reminding me what dishes not to eat everyday at their breakfast and dinner buffet. In addition to excellent food and service, the hotel went out of its way to be very eco-friendly. For every day that we did not need our room to be tidied, we earned points, which can be traded in for ice cream or other goodies. Finally, the staff spoke perfect English. This is rare indeed, and it made everything so much easier and so much more enjoyable. Thanks for the experience!

My husband and I planned a trip to Kamikochi and stopped over in Matsumoto. The hotel is about an 8-minute walk from the station, which is quite convenient, but the nearest convenience store is also a four or five-minute walk away. The breakfast at the hotel was pretty good, the tempura was delicious, though the variety wasn't huge, so eating it for two consecutive days might get a bit boring. From 9:30 PM, they offer free ramen, which is a nice touch after a hot spring bath. The onsen also provides free ice cream, and in the morning, they have Yakult. The hotel is also quite clean. Highly recommend it!

Had a really pleasant stay overall. The place was very clean and well-maintained, and the location was convenient for getting around. Service was excellent 👍 staff were friendly and helpful throughout our stay. Amenities were also complete and comfortable. Would definitely recommend for couples looking for a smooth and enjoyable stay.

I stayed in a twin room on September 1, 2025. It was very busy with tourists, and the front desk was congested. The food buffet was more about quantity than quality, so I ended up overeating. I could hear the movement of guests on the floor above me and the sound of water leaking from the drain pipes. Water was leaking from the floor of the unit bathroom. The toilet was child-sized, and the hot water was a little hot, but I would definitely stay here again.

This is the first time I stayed at a Hoshino resort. Perhaps my expectations were too high.  Food quality was the best reason to stay here. The restaurant offers an elaborate menu. The onsen is the next big feature of the hotel. It was not as big as seen in the advertisement. Perhaps wide angle was used. Location was not great. Not much to do nearby. The free transfers to Omachi helped to kill time if you have no plan to ski at Hakuba.  Service was patchy. Below are two examples: 1) Asked reception about train tickets conditions in general but the response was we are not train company. We know that but would appreciate help in calling into the train company or checking their website in Japanese. 2) Over a supposedly fancy dinner, the server was rushing us to finish by asking us to move unfinished food items from one plate or another by ourselves to make space for the next dish. I would have expected the server to wait for us. On another occasion, the server left the next dish on the table, with lid closed, without explaining what it is. We were not sure if we should start eating or wait. The server came back in a few minutes realizing that she had not explained to us yet and apologized.  With better service and things to do nearby, the hotel will see happier customers.

The hotel has a long history, first-class service, comfortable hot springs with beautiful scenery, large rooms that retain their original design, and the bathrooms have been renovated and are clean and hygienic. The kaiseki dinner is a novel experience, and the breakfast is also good. Tubtim, a Thai waiter in the restaurant, is a cheerful person with an infectious smile and top-notch service. It is a very pleasant hotel.