Suzuranso

We had a lovely stay at susuranso. The staff were really helpful, even with the language barrier.

It's close to the expressway exit, which makes getting here easy. After check-in and again after breakfast, there were free drinks, and having coffee quietly in the lobby was the best. The area is great for a walk too. Just the right kind of retreat for resting your mind and body.

I stayed here to climb Mount Kiso-Komagatake, and booked a room only. Check-in is available until 10 PM. The tub was small, but the hot spring water was excellent. Day use costs 700 yen. Being able to buy round-trip bus and ropeway tickets at the front desk was handy, since I could pay for the lodging and tickets together. I could also leave my car there the next morning. The closest bus stop, Komagaike, is about a 10-minute walk away and one stop before the notoriously crowded Suganodai Bus Center. I thought it would be easy to board without a line, but the first bus was already full of people who'd gotten on at the station. I did manage to board, at least. Even on a weekday at 7 AM, there was a huge line at Suganodai Bus Center. Used on 25/8/31.

I came to Nagano Prefecture for the autumn leaves and was struck by the flowers arranged all around the hotel. The room's ceiling and doors had lovely, detailed designs. The building seems old, but it was clean and charming. They served me matcha as soon as I arrived, and warmed tea in my room, leaving a lovely tea fragrance. I'm not usually a fan of scents, but I wished I had one like that at home. We were three people in the room, and I was impressed there were two toilets. The staff were friendly in a natural way, not just following a script, which I appreciated. Everything was great. My one wish is that the blinds in the room's open-air bath could be adjusted so I could see outside.