Hotel Balmoral Karuizawa

We came with family in October. The price felt reasonable, and breakfast was average in taste but came in large portions. The property and its facilities seem generally old. This isn’t a hot spring, so the bath felt like an ordinary one. The real problem was the futon. When we spread it out, the mattress was incredibly dirty. If anyone at the facility reads this, they’ll probably know the incident I mean. I don’t want to complain at length, but the staff’s excuses were awful.

The garden is carefully laid out and includes Karuizawa’s first apple tree. At the restaurant there’s a display of rare Hibiki and Hakushu sake bottles. Wi-Fi is free and fast, and downloading Windows updates went smoothly. The large public bath isn’t a hot spring, though the water seems good, perhaps because Mount Asama is nearby. The men’s bath is a bit untidy, with peeling tiles and faucets left out, and the path to the bath feels a little precarious. Since this is an open-air facility, keep security concerns in mind.

The hotel is old, though the staff are friendly. They may not have a good grasp of basic service. I booked after reading a review about a hearty steak plan, but the steak was only around 5mm thick. A lot of the dishes seemed pre-made, without much of a homemade feel, and the bread seemed delivered and just warmed up. Maybe the price explains the quality. I’d also seen a review mentioning a jacuzzi in the bath, but there was nothing like that.

I was able to stay for 6,500 yen using the Go To Travel campaign, and the food felt worth more than that price. The steak was delicious, and I was happy with the service. The cottage room was roomy and fairly clean, though it had a slightly musty smell. There’s a nice sauna in the bath, but unfortunately no cold bath.