Nakaokogen Hotel Kazaguruma

The private onsen was the best part of my stay, peaceful and relaxing, with a lovely sense of privacy. I was also impressed by the property's beauty, especially its distinctive architecture and interior design. The hotel does show its age, though. Some areas need renovation or better upkeep to live up to the elegance it seems to aim for. The staff were polite, but could use more training to make the service smoother and more professional. With a few improvements, this place could be outstanding, especially with its beautiful setting and wonderful private onsen.

We got excellent value for the money and would gladly stay again. We'd read some very negative comments and were a little skeptical, but our experience was wonderful. The rooms were spacious, the staff were warm and sweet, and the service was incredible. The hotel dinner was the best we had in Japan over two months of travel. Don't hesitate to book, it's a fantastic experience.

I expected a comfortable place to explore the area after seeing the great photos and excellent Booking.com reviews. Instead, the hotel was shockingly different from what I'd hoped. It looked at least twenty years overdue for renovation, with holes in the carpet, peeling and stained wallpaper, and old, worn facilities and amenities. We found a dead cockroach on the wall and a live one in the bathroom. When we raised concerns, the staff weren't helpful. There was no evening bar or restaurant unless it had been booked two days ahead. The good reviews must be a scam, this was a horrible hotel. We left the next morning instead of staying for our planned time. An expensive disappointment, and a lesson learned.

Breakfast had no meat, juice, milk, or cereal, and my kid had nothing to eat. It felt like a vegetarian hotel. We also found bugs and a mosquito in the room, and the room itself was a bit old. I booked a room with three beds, but they charged my 9-year-old the same as an adult. That didn't seem fair. I'd suggest staying somewhere else.