Hotel Angel Grandia

It has the feel of a ski resort hotel, with the slopes right outside. We came in the off-season and only booked the room. The hotel is fairly close to Echigo-Yuzawa Station, and for that time of year I thought the price was good. Check-in and check-out through the payment machines were simple, and getting into the room without a key was convenient. I’m in my 60s and it was fine for me, though it might be harder for some older guests. The amenities were good, especially the well-stocked children’s items, so it seems like a nice place for families. We also had a plan for five family members at 22,000 yen, with buffet dinner and breakfast. The miso soup was packed with ingredients, and they grilled salmon at the kitchen counter. Breakfast was filling, with large umeboshi plums. It felt like Niigata, the Food Capital. The shuttle bus was handy, too. The hot spring bath was a little warm and smelled strongly of chlorine, so it felt more like a regular bath than a traditional hot spring.

We felt completely looked after by Mito-san, Virya, and the rest of the team. When our son broke his leg, Mito-san stayed calm, showed real compassion, and took care of so many details. They arranged wheelchairs, coordinated with the hospital and station staff, booked transport, and prepared clear Japanese notes explaining each step of the trip home. Virya also helped translate when we needed it. The hotel was lovely for families, with spacious rooms, kids’ amenities, and the ski slope right outside. We enjoyed the food, and the onsen was a good place to relax at the end of the day. We hope to come back in happier circumstances. We’ll remember how kind and attentive everyone was.

Our 94m2 Japanese room was ideal for a big group, with a roomy living and kitchen area plus a tatami space that could sleep eight. The breakfast buffet was solid, and the on-site à la carte restaurant had good food at affordable prices. There’s also a Family Mart in the lobby with most of what you might need. Nakazato Snow Wood is right out the back door, and Yuzawa Nakazato is a short walk away. You can get discounted lift passes at the hotel, so ask the front desk before buying. The resort shuttle runs fairly often, but it gets crowded, so head to the lobby 10-15 minutes early to queue. We really enjoyed our stay, even though the hotel wasn’t as busy as it might have been and we arrived during a once-in-ten-years heatwave, so there was no fresh snow.

There’s a FamilyMart in the lobby for snacks and cup noodles, and you can even pick up Niigata Rice as a souvenir. The second floor has vending machines with drinks, snacks, and ice cream beside the laundry room, where there are plenty of coin-operated washers and dryers. The hotel is a fair way from Echigo Yuzawa Station, but the free shuttle takes about 10-15 minutes. Check the schedule, since it changes by season. I stayed three nights in a spacious Japanese tatami room with separate shower and toilet. The corridor and door design did make it feel a bit like a prison cell. The buffet was hit and miss. The first night’s dinner was best, though maybe we were just tired and hungry.