Mercure Miyagi Zao Resort & Spa

For the price and location, this chain resort is a decent value, but the interior looks old and poorly maintained. The room was spacious, though there were no towels prepared. Its private bathroom was a small, dated modular unit despite the large bedroom. The bathroom was clean, but I couldn’t use the toilet comfortably. The onsen area felt small for a hotel of this size and number of guests. The showers run only briefly after you press their buttons, much less time than at other places, so I had to keep pressing them while washing. The two outdoor pools were dull, with no view or distinctive spring water. I also found the service odd: staff wandered around the changing area ten minutes before closing to tell people the onsen was about to shut. That was uncomfortable. Hotels should train staff to handle closing time better. No onsen needs staff ready to kick guests out before it closes. I didn’t get a view, though the hotel is very close to the mountain road. The breakfast tasted ordinary, but it was cheap. The bakery wasn’t bad, and I loved the salty caramel cupcake.

Our stay at Mercure Miyagi Zao Resort exceeded what we expected, from the room and onsen to the level of service. The afternoon and evening welcome drinks were a great touch, and the hotel offered excellent value. As a Diamond member, I want to commend the team for their quiet, excellent service. - William

The hotel sits between Eboshi Ski Park and Sumikawa Snow Park, where the wild monsters are. After skiing, we enjoyed a good dinner and relaxed in the lovely hot spring. I had sake, my wife had beer, and later our child had fun roasting candy over a bonfire like a BBQ.

After a buffet dinner at the hotel, my wife developed severe stomach problems and had to use the restroom repeatedly. I went to reception for help, but the staff said they couldn’t assist and suggested I buy medicine at the nearby 7-11. There wasn’t any suitable medicine there. I explained that her symptoms seemed connected to the buffet meal, but the staff had no further help to offer. The experience was distressing. Guests in this kind of situation should get better support, and I hope the hotel addresses it for future visitors.