TENNEN-ONSEN HOTEL LiVEMAX PREMIUM Nagano-ekimae

Getting around Nagano was easy because the hotel is so close to Nagano Station. The room was clean, and the facilities felt complete. Check-in and check-out are handled at a machine, so both were quick and simple. It was a comfortable, practical place to stay.

I wouldn't stay here again. At ¥35000 a night, I expect to sleep, but the soundproofing was so poor I could hear people snoring in nearby rooms. Earplugs didn't block the low rumble, and children were jumping around at 5am. At other places I've stayed in Japan, I didn't need earplugs at all. The location is handy for Nagano train station and exploring the area, and the hotel is very clean. The staff are friendly, though hotel policy seems to limit them to giving guests only what's already in the room. Rooms are small, the double bed is very hard and tiny, and even a Western single isn't much bigger. We're not fat, but it felt cramped. They wouldn't provide extra pillows, so we had to make do with one wafer-thin pillow each. The onsen is nice, but often crowded, and parents seemed to let their kids run wild there too.

It's right across from the train station. Our room had a small kitchen, but no utensils or cookware at all, not even pots or pans. We booked for two people and were given just one set of towels.

Even with two teenagers and all our luggage, the twin room was a decent size for our family of four. The hotel is also an easy short walk from JR Nagano station, and there's an elevator at the end of the bridge that helps with bags. At Christmas, a little market sets up in the park near Komeda Coffee. It was a lovely place to have breakfast.