Angel Resort Yuzawa

The futons were so thin that sleeping on them felt almost like sleeping on the floor, and there were no cushions for the table in the tatami room. The kitchenette was missing basics like a spatula and ladle, and there were no cloths for wiping the table or other surfaces. For a family of four, paying $200 a night for a place that felt like public housing was a rip off. They should put more thought into setting up the rooms and what guests might need to be comfortable.

The public bath was fun, and we made good use of the free washing machine and inexpensive, effective dryers. We stayed for four nights and found the apartment clean and practical. The shuttle runs from Echigo Yuzawa train station and goes up the hill to Ippawara. Family Mart downstairs gave Angel Resort residents 10% off. My one complaint is how much single use plastic the apartments rely on, including cutlery and individually wrapped hairbrushes and toothbrushes.

Iwappara Ski Resort is within walking distance, but restaurants and cafes are far away. The convenience store downstairs is the closest place to pick up onigiri or other instant food.

The shuttle was easy to find using the instructions and arrived on time. It serves another hotel under the same management too, and it seemed like everyone else was headed there. We were the only ones dropped off at Angel Resort. Our Japanese tatami room looked small but had comfortable space for people. There’s a sink and cooking gear, which is useful because there aren’t restaurants nearby. Bring food or pick up supplies in Echigo Yuzawa before you come. It’s a quiet, good place to stay.