Metropolitan Nagano Hotel

Being right by the station but still so quiet was a big plus. I’m fussy about hotels, and I loved this one: my room was modern, roomy, spotless, peaceful, and had a lovely city view. It felt luxurious and was really comfortable, with all the amenities I could want. The sky bar on the 12th floor is beautiful and upscale, though I think it might close at 11:00. The laundry room is great too, and you can check its availability on the TV. I also appreciated being able to refill water instead of taking a new bottle every day.

The shower was a highlight: strong pressure and steady temperature all the way through. The tap water, though, was too cold to wash up with in the morning. Getting to the hotel is easy, since it's right by the station and there's no need to climb stairs or walk through the rain. My room was roomy but felt a little dated, and the bed was extremely hard. I've stayed at JR hotels around Japan, and this was the least comfortable bed I've had. The service was fine, just not especially memorable. They provided amenities and complimentary water during my two-night stay, with refills each day.

The staff were friendly and professional, although the welcome felt a bit cold. At check-in, nobody offered to take our luggage up to the room, and the service overall was minimal. The guest rooms are small, with no space in a standard room for even a little bar or drink area. The bed and pillows weren't comfortable and seem due for replacement. Hotel Metropolitan Nagano (Hotel Metropolitan Nagano) is right outside Nagano Station, which is very convenient. It is also the only four-star hotel within walking distance of the station.

We passed a few other hotels while walking around and were glad we picked this one. The bridge straight to the train station makes the location excellent, and it may be the best option in Nagano. Breakfast includes Japanese, European, and American food. If you feel like it, you can have Sake and local ice cream in the morning too.