The Ritz-Carlton Nikko

The drive up from the foot of the mountain to Lake Chuzenji is beautiful, winding through the hills, and you might spot local monkeys along the way. When you arrive, staff greet you with big smiles and bring you straight from the car to the lobby lounge, where the fireplace is going and a welcome drink is waiting. Check-in feels like something from a local ryokan. This was our second visit in two years, and I'm honestly obsessed with the place. The rooms are immaculate and modern, with their own onsen bath, a really comfortable bed, and spectacular views. We had the Mt Natai view, and apparently every room has a great one. We tried all the dining options: Japanese-style breakfast, afternoon tea in the lobby lounge, dinner at the Lakehouse, and late-night drinks at the bar. The care that goes into the whole experience is something the Ritz Carlton should be celebrated for. This may become the high standard I didn't know I needed. We'll be back.

For an American chain, they still kept the Japanese hospitality. This one and the Ritz in Okinawa are my favorites. Everything felt perfect, and the mattress was so good that I slept really well. I wish all their hotels used the same mattresses. The “egg onsen,” the sulfur onsen, is very beneficial for skin and joints. I wish guests were told more about that, and that the hotel would bring back kakenagashi without chlorine inside. Why should other guests have to put up with chlorine because some people don't know the onsen rules or understand the minerals in the water? Having a kakenagashi onsen is a gift from nature, with its special water smell, color, and mineral deposits along the pool edges.

The setting is gorgeous, looking over the lake with a waterfall just steps away and temples down the street. The hotel also offers different complimentary tours and activities for children. The restaurants were delicious, especially the Japanese breakfast, and the service was impeccable. Our standard room was huge and beautiful, with a nice balcony and a great bathroom and tub. It's one of the best hotel stays my family and I have had. We can't wait to come back.

The staff are what took this stay beyond my already high expectations. I've traveled often for leisure and had a great experience at the RC Fukuoka, so I was looking forward to the Ritz Carlton Nikko. This one surpassed it. From the lovely kimono-clad woman who greeted us and checked us in at the lounge, to the tour staff who brought coats and warm drinks, every interaction felt carefully handled. The concierge had the car ready before we arrived, and the chef served each meal at just the right time. The rooms are a masterpiece, and the views of mount nantai and the lake are lovely. The location itself is perfect, and the hotel's onsen hot spring is another reason to visit. The whole team worked to make our stay memorable. For me, this is a once-in-a-lifetime, bucket-list kind of place.