ANA Holiday Inn Resort Karuizawa by IHG

The setting is quiet and tucked away in nature, with deer and fox around, and the view of Mt. Asama is amazing. There are ski, sledding, and golf facilities, plus a foosball table in the lounge by the front desk for school-age kids. Little children seem to love coming here, and the atmosphere feels very family-oriented. The hot spring and sauna are also well worth a visit. Our room was spotless and spacious. With Platinum membership, you may get a suite upgrade, as I did. It had what we'd call two double beds in America, though in Japan they're two single beds, and a separate room with partition doors, children's bunk beds, and a TV. Two adults could enjoy that room too. The service was better than at many hotels I've stayed in. Mr Yoshitaka Kutsuna and his hardworking international team were attentive to what we needed. The breakfast and dinner buffets are reasonably priced and cater to different needs, with children's bibs and chairs available. Don't miss the hand-cut roast beef at dinner! Of all the IHG hotels we've visited in America, South America, and elsewhere, Holiday Inn Resort ANA Karuizawa by IHG is the best I've stayed at. Karuizawa exceeded my expectations. Please enjoy your stay, and don't let negative reviews put you off. This hotel is the real deal! Please take good care of us, Mr. Kutsuna!！

The staff were great, spoke English, and many were training for the winter season. There are a few short walks nearby, though the golf course paths aren't open for walking, and there's a kids' corner. Mini golf and the pool cost extra, even for hotel guests, so we skipped them. There's not much else to do around here. We were between golf and ski seasons, and the rates were very good. We stayed after the renovation and the hotel's move to the IHG group. This isn't the budget-style Holiday Inn you might know from elsewhere. It has more of a country club feel, and it's quiet, pleasant, and remote. Old Karuizawa is a 40-minute drive away. A car is recommended, though the hotel has a shuttle. We were offered a nice room upgrade as Platinum IHG members. The room rate listed either golf-course side or forest side. The forest side cost more, but it would be more accurate to call it the car-park side. Breakfast was good, just not fantastic. The onsen was fantastic, with a sauna, steam room, cold plunge, and a view of the volcano. We were there outside ski season and asked about golf. The late-start, nine-hole option with gear rental was over ¥15,000, so we passed. The golf area also felt quite elite and unwelcoming to beginners or tourists, though golf in Japan is generally elitist.

The onsen was a real highlight, clean, relaxing, and well looked after. Self-parking was convenient and easy to access, and the facilities throughout were excellent. I had a comfortable, reliable stay at the ANA Holiday Inn Resort Karuizawa by IHG. The staff were genuinely helpful and could communicate in simple English, which was a real plus in Japan. It met the high standards I expect from an IHG property, and I'd happily recommend it.

The shuttle runs free at certain times to and from the hotel. You do need to email after booking to reserve a seat, but they replied really quickly. There's also a nice running and walking route up Mt Hanamagari behind the hotel. We stayed two nights in November, before ski season started, and had an excellent time. The hotel has been newly renovated, with modern, well-designed rooms and facilities. Our room was comfortable and roomy, with good temperature controls, large windows, USB-C ports, and a big TV. We booked the package with breakfast and dinner, which I'd really recommend if you're a foreigner without a car since there aren't other food options nearby. Both breakfasts and dinners were very good buffets, with live stations serving fancier plates too. The onsen was another highlight: a very hot sauna, cold plunge, several baths, and an outdoor bath framed by Mt Asama. All the staff were helpful, professional, and friendly. I'd definitely recommend it for a break from the cities.