Aizu Astraea Hotel

The buffet was a highlight for us. Both dinner and breakfast were delicious, and I'd happily come back just for the food. The renovated room was clean, the view was lovely, and it had a fridge, though you have to plug it in and switch it on yourself. The walls are thin enough that I could hear people talking next door, even if I couldn't make out their words. The hot and cold taps are separate, so getting the right temperature takes some adjusting. We spent two days and one night here on a snowboarding trip. The hotel has the Showa-era atmosphere people mention, but it was warm, clean, and comfortable. Staff throughout the hotel, including the rental staff, were kind and polite. The slopes are right outside, and the shuttle was a big help since the nearest station is quite far away. Before or after check-in, we could leave our bags in the large hall and store valuables at reception. We could also use the public bath to change, and it was handy to have the hall for restroom breaks or a short rest. PayPay and credit cards were accepted. As first-time visitors, we would have appreciated an explanation of the slopes. One small gripe: the last shuttle and our return train didn't connect, so we had about an hour to kill on the way back, lol. I'd stay here again if I get the chance to visit Takatsue Ski Resort.

The beds felt worn, and the TV was too small. Still, I came away thinking this was a good hotel, despite the facility showing its age. My room had a refrigerator and hair dryer, and the amenities felt fair for the price. I visited for skiing in early March. Direct access to the slopes was the most convenient part, and the snow seemed good even that late in the season, perhaps because the whole slope faces northeast. The atmosphere was calm, with very few inbound tourists. I thought the buffet was impressive, with a modest dessert selection that included little cakes, ice cream, and fruit. Staff left the trays until guests had finished, so there was no feeling of being hurried out of the restaurant. I had seen harsh reviews about the missing in-room fridge and buffet quality, which had lowered my expectations, but my experience was better. I hope hotels and ski resorts can do well without depending on inbound tourists.

I was back for a work trip for the first time in more than ten years. I stayed three nights and wasn't there to ski, but I still found it a relaxing place to spend time. The twin room had two single beds, a large sofa, a fridge, a TV, and a unit bath. It's a little dated, but seemed well cleaned and spacious enough for two. Breakfast and dinner are buffets. The choices aren't huge, though the food doesn't have that cheap ski lodge feel, and I think most people would be reasonably satisfied. The staff were polite and made a very good impression when I arrived late at night. Reception is on the second floor, along with a small souvenir shop and restaurant. There's just one elevator, so it could get busy with a large group. On the first floor are ski lockers and rentals, a big hall, and the large public bath, with direct access to the slopes. The smoking area is outside on that floor, so it may be cold in winter. The public bath is open around the clock, except for its gender change from 11:00 PM to 11:45 PM and cleaning from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM. Shirakaba no Yu is free for guests and is to the left as you leave the main entrance. Its hours were 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM as of January 8, 2028.

The building is old, but it was clean, and for the price I thought it was a good deal given how much prices have gone up lately. The resort was quiet and comfortable, even on a weekend, perhaps because it's not easy to reach from Tokyo. This was part of a Tobu Railway ski tour. For ¥32,000 per person, the two-day, one-night package included round-trip transport, lodging, two meals, and two four-hour lift tickets. Before check-in, they stored our bags for free in the common room. We could also use the hot springs beforehand, and reception lent me a towel. Rentals are by the cloakroom and public bath, and I changed in the bath's changing room. On the way home I changed quickly and went to enjoy the hot springs. I took my room towel and left it in the return basket. The dinner buffet had more options than I expected, and the beef stew was especially tender and tasty. The room TV was too small. Heavy snow weakened my phone signal, so I depended on the hotel's Wi-Fi, but it was nearly unusable. I wondered if the connection wasn't fiber optic. The bath had no lotion, shaving foam, or tissues. There was no place to leave dishes after eating, so by the time I went back for more food, my table was piled with plates. The buffet hall staff didn't clear them, and although there were several foreign staff members, they didn't take dishes away. There seemed to be plenty of hall staff, but they weren't much help. I also thought the labor costs might be too high. The resort was empty and there were no foreign tourists staying at the hotel, which made for a comfortable, quiet visit. The hotel itself is old overall, but the cleaning kept that from being a big issue.