Hotel&Sauna Waypoint Shinano-Myoko

The sauna was my favorite part, and I enjoyed it twice. Watching the light change from sunset into night was great, and the morning sun was beautiful too. The room was lovely, the bath was spacious, and the lounge had stylish decor with cute furnishings. It was a wonderful stay, and I'd like to come back in another season.

The room was simple and comfortable, with a great reclining spot beside the window. I liked the natural light so much that I kept lingering there, and the well-equipped kitchen made the place feel suited to a longer stay. Getting from the parking lot straight into the room by car made luggage easy to handle and kept it out of the weather. The building has an unusual design that makes this possible. I also enjoyed the open-feeling sauna. Bathing outside in Nagano's clear air was special, and the night atmosphere was lovely, though I especially recommend the morning air. The location and price felt well balanced for skiing in the Niigata area. It's less expensive than foreign hotels and still has a sauna, which is a real draw. I'd like to return when it's warmer.

The staff were all friendly, and the facility feels like it could keep evolving. I thought it was good value and would go again. The sauna was well looked after, and they cleaned the cold plunge often, which helped me feel comfortable using it. I liked the unusual touches, including wall löyly, a cold head splash, and sauna drinks that have to go in heat-resistant tumblers, though personal bottles are allowed. After checking in at 4 pm, I could use the sauna without watching the clock, and it was great to have it available the next morning too. The sauna temperature is on the lower side at about 80-90°C, but löyly raises it quite a bit, though it also cools quickly. It may suit people who dislike intense heat, and the humidity kept my skin from stinging, which I liked. The cold plunge temperature seemed to depend on the weather and whether the chiller was in use. There wasn't a chiller when I visited, and trying the different plunge pools, I found their temperatures quite different. Maybe the outdoor temperature or the containers explain it. The water was easy to get into; I personally wanted it colder, but still reached a deep relaxed state. The relaxation area felt small for a capacity of 12, with just four basic chairs and two infinity chairs. Three pairs, six people total, felt like a comfortable limit to me, though comfort probably depends on timing. Luckily, it was nearly empty at times. The room itself was spacious and relaxing, and I liked being able to go straight from there to the sauna in a swimsuit and poncho. You can drive right up to the entrance, but there are quite a few steps to the room, which could be tough with a huge or heavy suitcase. The sink and mini-kitchen are small, but fine for light cooking, and I enjoyed eating ingredients I'd bought before arriving. The ceiling light projector was great for Netflix and Spotify with my own accounts, just remember to log out. There's free WiFi, though the signal was weak. The bathroom was oddly large and not very user-friendly.