Matsumoto Wellton Hotel

The room was pretty clean, and the free breakfast was okay, with both Japanese and European-style choices. We stayed one night and it was fine, nothing bad to say for the money we paid.

The location is a big plus, with downtown, a public onsen, and the station about a 12-minute walk away. They also handled our lost key well after we mailed it back, and sent a kind note saying not to worry. The rooms were clean and the bed was comfortable, and the price felt fair. The hotel does look dated, with peeling wallpaper, old TVs and electronics, and very few outlets. Breakfast was disappointing, especially the coffee and juice, though there were several breads and pastries. Staff were friendly enough, but check-in was awkward because their old carbon-copy card machine only takes cards with raised numbers. I’d stay again.

The breakfast, served from 6:30 to 8:45 AM, was just okay and didn’t make up for the rest of the stay. The room was so cramped and awkwardly laid out that if one person was on the floor, the other could hardly move without someone getting into bed first. It smelled unpleasant, the TV was tiny, and the floor mat left cold patches underfoot. The washlet was the most basic I’ve seen in Japan. Lights only came on after inserting the key, so arriving without a flashlight was a struggle. Noise carried clearly from the hall, and the air conditioner was loud enough to make sleeping difficult. The hotel is tucked away from main roads and attractions, which made getting around inconvenient. Parking cost ¥750 a night, despite being some distance from the entrance. For the price, the service and amenities were disappointing, and I wouldn’t recommend Matsumoto Welton Hotel for a trip to Nagano.

Stayed just one night, and it was a good place to stay.