Kusatsu Onsen Hotel Resort

The rooms have been nicely remodeled, and the lounge has a luxurious feel. The onsen was excellent, with a faint sulfur smell and what felt like magical hydration effects. Getting around was easy with the shuttle between this Japanese-style hotel, the skiing area, and Yubatake/Daitokan. The main drawback was the lack of proper integrated heating. Our gas heater left a slight gas smell in the room. Food was decent, mainly local vegetables and meat, with lots of pork and chicken. I had some of the best konjac dishes here, and breakfast had a wide selection of eggs from local farms.

We liked the hot springs, and for the price they offered a good range, including a sauna and cold plunge. The sauna was small, dim, a bit dingy and claustrophobic, but still comfortable. Water machines on every floor were handy, although there wasn't one in the changing room. Heating was a bigger problem. The changing area was unusually cold, with no space heater and our breath visible. A thermostat was there but seemed off or broken. Coming out wet in that cold felt dangerous, and we heard other guests complain about it too. The rest of the property also had uneven heat from kerosene space heaters. Winters in Kusatsu can be quite cold, especially by Kanto standards. The buffet was my only dining option, but the quality and variety pleasantly surprised me, including sukiyaki. Breakfast and dinner didn't change from day to day. I also enjoyed the late-night dandan noodles. The location is decent, a short walk from the bus terminal, with a shuttle as well. The building was recently renovated in places, but the difference shows. My room looked modern, though its furniture and bathroom were noticeably dated. The lobby and much of the first floor looked far more upscale.

They had a bus that went up and down to the city center, which was really nice to have. Everything else was great too, but the heating was broken while we were there. They gave us a kerosene stove, though you obviously can't leave it running in a hotel room, so it stayed cold.

The resort feels dated and clearly shows its age, but the value for the money is great. It's a little out of the way from most attractions, though an easy 15-minute walk gets you there, and they also have a shuttle. Rooms are clean and spacious. The resort is English- and tattoo-friendly, and the onsens have clean, hot water that felt great. We didn't eat there, so I can't comment on the food.