Karuizawa Marriott Hotel

I visited Karuizawa Marriott Hotel in early October. It’s hard to get to without a car, but being away from the busy town gives it a quiet, unhurried feel. I like the countryside pace, and it made the trip more relaxing and gave me a better sense of the area. The hotel is only two floors. First floor rooms have outdoor hot springs, while second floor rooms let you enjoy the view from the bath. My room had no private hot spring, and I didn’t have dinner there, so I can’t comment on that meal. The room had a cozy modern Western style, a Nespresso machine in the mini bar, and branded shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. It was very quiet, and although the bed was soft, I slept well. Breakfast, called “Shinshu Food Collection,” was a highlight. The Japanese buffet has rice and lots of homemade sides, and even the omelet at the Eggs Station gets a local touch from nozawana vegetables. The salad tasted fresh, like it had just come from the market. There’s less variety in the Western breakfast, but the local jams, honey, and yogurt are worth trying. You can spend the day around Karuizawa and come back for the hot spring in the evening. I recommend the large public bath and outdoor pool. There’s an extra hot spring tax. There aren’t many shops nearby at night, but Lawson and 7-Eleven are about 10-15 minutes away on foot. The route has no street lights, it can get very cold in winter, and Lawson closes at 9 p.m. The hotel made for a comfortable place to rest and enjoy the forest setting.

We had a fantastic two-night stay. The staff were genuinely great, and my titanium status got us an upgrade to a room with a private onsen. Breakfast and the evening lounge access were both very good. The public onsen was quiet too, since the hotel wasn’t very busy while we were there. There’s a free shuttle from Karuizawa station every hour.

Our north wing room was amazing, with a hot spring right in the room. The hotel is a bit off center, which made for a quiet stay away from the tourist areas, but the ski resort was only a ten minute drive away. Service was excellent and everyone was friendly. I’d definitely visit again.

This is a lovely luxury hotel, not huge but very welcoming. Our room had a nice tatami room as well as the regular bedroom. The lounge felt inviting, and they brought the tea we asked for, though we wished there’d been more tea and coffee choices. The breakfast buffet was delicious, with plenty of dishes and a good selection of local specialties. The onsen was tastefully done, with an indoor pool and a smaller outdoor one. The staff went out of their way to make us feel welcome. We drove and parking was free. We didn’t take the shuttle to the train station, but it looked convenient.