Alpages Madarao

We spent five days at Alpages and loved the chalet-style apartments. They were fully equipped with everything our family and kids needed, and the owners were very hospitable and helped with all our requests while still giving us plenty of privacy. Every window looked out over the woods and nearby hills, which made it feel like a lovely retreat. It's a great base for skiing in Madarao, Akakura, and Nozawa. We'd love to come back.

The room and breakfast were amazing.

The friendly husband-and-wife team run a lovely guesthouse. The French owner renovated the old pension himself with DIY methods. There's a medium-sized fridge and a simple kitchen where three couples can prepare their own meals. In ski season, lots of guests come for lessons with the owner. The green season is nice too, when you can have a meal or coffee on the terrace and look out over the greenery. His renovation skills are impressive, and he says that kind of DIY has been part of French family life since he was a child.

Her husband, Bruno, knows the Madarao mountains inside out and is a super guide. He's a kind, really nice French guy. His wife, Satomi, is a friendly, attentive mom, and their son, Kenzo, is a handsome, earnest young man with the best of both Japan and France. The building feels warm with the owner's touch, like coming home. There's an airsoft area and other activities that look fun too. I'd love to come back.