Azumino Hotaka View Hotel

The building is a little old, but all the amenities and attentive service made that a small concern for me. The atmosphere is calm and tranquil, just right for a weekend away. Food was a highlight. Dinner at the French restaurant came as a delicious set course with seasonal vegetables and unlimited fresh baked bread. Breakfast had a big range of continental and Asian options, and making your own yoghurt was fun. I also loved the complimentary red wine and skin care kits. The two onsen pools and sauna were relaxing, and there was a Dyson hair dryer to use after the spa. They have morning yoga and birdwatching, though both need to be booked a week ahead. Massages and a karaoke room can also be booked. Shuttle buses to the train station and nearby sights are available, so you don't need a car. I'd definitely come back and enjoy the place's old charm again.

There's an outdoor hot spring here, and dinner is nice too. The wasabi soda has a fun taste, give it a try!

We were after a quiet countryside stay, so the distance was worth it. The kids enjoyed it too, and we'd come back. Japanese hospitality made us feel at home, with good service, a large compound to wander around, and a nice onsen area. I prefer this to modern hotels that can feel short on human warmth.

From the bedroom window, you can see lots of different kinds of cherry blossoms.