5-Star Hotels in Nagano Prefecture, Japan

"Hotel La Vigne Hakuba was a wonderful place to stay. The hotel has a beautiful minimalist design and feels clean, cozy, and very welcoming. Both the lobby and rooms were pleasantly scented, creating a relaxing atmosphere. The concierge team was extremely helpful and the overall service throughout the stay was excellent. The room was spacious, very clean, and thoughtfully designed with a very functional layout. The bedding was also very comfortable. The hotel also provides excellent facilities for skiers, including a dedicated storage and locker room for ski equipment, as well as a separate shower room where guests can freshen up and change after skiing on the day of check-out. Overall, a fantastic stay at Hotel La Vigne Hakuba — highly recommended."

"There are three rooms in the two-story villa, one of which has four beds and the other two beds. Each room has a bathtub. The open-air hot spring in the room is very small and can only accommodate one person, but the bathroom has a large jacuzzi and a TV. The vacation is really great. The ski resort is very close, and you can play at the age of three. Aolai has a few big names that are still expensive. The sukiyaki pot and teppanyaki in the hotel are great. If you bring children, it is more suitable than Hoshino, and Hoshino Hot Spring can not go. The hot spring in the hotel is already very good. There is a big supermarket, Delice, which is 15 minutes by taxi. You can buy things and cook in the room. The cooking in the room is very convenient. The waiter can wash the dishes. It is perfect."

"Stepping inside, we were greeted by the iconic stove, and a thoughtful warm drink, which was a lovely touch. The service was very welcoming. The room, for Japan, was quite spacious and even had a balcony, though it was bare in winter. Both breakfast and dinner were extensive. Dinner, which we pre-booked, was a standout with its distinctive and delicious Western cuisine."

"The hotel facilities were fantastic, I absolutely loved them. However, after dragging my luggage to the train station, I spent a long time looking for the hotel shuttle because the instructions didn't clearly state which exit to use. I had to ask many people before I found out the shuttle was at a different exit. Then, when I finally saw the hotel shuttle driver, he didn't stop and just waved for us to wait further away, which was really confusing. I suggest the hotel clearly specify which exit at the station is convenient for boarding the shuttle. The hotel staff were excellent, very polite and patient, and could assist in English, which was great. The location is on the edge of a forest, and the surroundings are beautiful. The only downside is that if you go out for dinner and don't use the shuttle to the train station, you have to walk quite a distance, which is a bit inconvenient."

"Located approx 20min walk from the station, but close to the old Ginza street. The rooms are a little old but well maintained. There is an indoor and outdoor onsen on the third floor and breakfast is very good."

"Environment: I went in winter hoping to see heavy snow, but only saw bare branches, haha. It's a very quiet hotel with a picturesque view. It would definitely be amazing in spring or during the autumn foliage season. Facilities: Being a 20-year-old hotel, the facilities feel quite dated. Both the lobby and rooms are very dim. I booked the most basic room on the first floor, room 332. It uses a wall-mounted air conditioner that blows all night, sounding like a boiling kettle. The curtains don't close completely, letting in light in the morning. It's hard to find the light switches in the room, and even with all lights off, the top window still lets in light. This is something to note for light sleepers! I particularly want to point out that the mattress was uncomfortable; my back felt very sore when I woke up in the morning! Hygiene: The room was quite clean. They serve tap water for drinking! Service: On the second day, I opted for in-room breakfast. The staff member rang the doorbell promptly at 9 AM. I felt the Western breakfast was better than the Japanese one. After that, we didn't eat at the hotel anymore. There's a 'villager's diner' about a 10-minute walk away, which was very convenient and cheaper! Onsen: I tried the hotel's hot spring, and the water didn't feel very hot. Later, I went to the outdoor hot spring near the 'villager's diner,' which was quite comfortable. Overall: I booked at a relatively cheap price, over 2000 per night. If the price were higher, it wouldn't be worth it, especially in winter without the beautiful scenery. The hotel really reminds me of Moganshan's Naked Retreats! Hahahaha 😂"

"[Hilton Karuizawa | A Healing Hotel Worth a Special Trip] Our stay in Karuizawa truly exceeded expectations; the hotel's service and attention to detail were incredibly impressive. From the moment we arrived at Karuizawa Station, the hotel's shuttle service was fantastic. The driver was polite and attentive, so we didn't have to worry about our luggage or getting around. Upon check-in, our room was already prepared. We had booked a garden view room with a balcony. A floor-to-ceiling window framed the seasonal beauty of the Japanese garden like a painting. Sitting on the balcony with tea and a book, time seemed to slow down. The mini-bar in the room was complimentary, and a capsule coffee machine and tea set were provided, along with thoughtful welcome snacks. What I most want to praise is the service. The front desk and concierge staff were fluent in English, and their responses were prompt and professional whether we were asking about sightseeing routes, restaurant reservations, or shuttle arrangements. Once, we wanted to find a soba noodle restaurant popular with locals, and the concierge not only drew a detailed map by hand but also went the extra mile to call and confirm their operating hours for us. Breakfast was a semi-buffet, with the option to order a main dish. The fresh local vegetables, fruits, and homemade jams from Karuizawa were especially delicious. Enjoying breakfast by the window while watching the morning light in the garden was pure bliss. While the selection wasn't extensive, every dish was exquisite, reflecting the chef's dedication. Although the hotel isn't brand new, it's very well-maintained, combining traditional Japanese style with modern comfort seamlessly. The Japanese bathhouse was clean and tranquil; a soak there left us feeling completely relaxed. The location is also very convenient, making it easy to walk to attractions like Old Karuizawa Ginza Street and Kumoba Pond, yet it's set away from the main street's hustle and bustle. If I had to point out any shortcomings, it would be that some of the guest rooms aren't particularly spacious, but the thoughtful layout and superb views completely make up for it. Overall, it's a quality choice I'd love to return to and would readily recommend to friends. It's especially ideal for travelers looking to slow down and relax in nature."

"This was my first time staying at the Karuizawa Marriott Hotel. The public onsen has both indoor and outdoor baths, and while the facilities were clean, the area was a bit small. The room itself was very spacious, clean, and the environment was quiet. The hotel breakfast offered a wide variety of choices. Highly recommended!"

"The only five in the area Transfer to three ski lifts, as well as to railway and bus stations Call a taxi Equipment is stored and brought The rooms are large, if you don't take the cheapest one Jacuzzi bath and shower Separate bathroom amenities that are changed every day Tea and treats in the Hall with a fireplace Several cafes nearby Of the minuses Not tasty food in local restaurants and overpriced It’s cool in the Hall with a fireplace because the entrance doors are often opened and the fire is weak or absent There is a bit of staff shortage - if the fireplace was burning strong and constantly it would be ideal"

"Amazing experience as always with the Fufu brand. We stayed at the Hakone one previously and thought it was one of the best hotel experiences we've ever had. Our trip to Karuizawa this time was driven by our intent to try Fufu Kyukaruizawa, and it did not disappoint one bit. From the zen interior to the most attentive and friendly staff to the never-ending dining experiences (yes, even for breakfast it was a multi course menu), we were utterly blown away by our two-night stay. The fireplace in the lobby and in our room was such a pleasant touch even though we stayed during May, our teppanyaki chef personally seeing us out to the lift and bowing until we were out of sight shows how they go above and beyond, and we really appreciated how at each interaction the staff knew and clarified our coming arrangements, ensuring our entire stay was a seamless experience. Fufu remains our favourite Japanese hotel brand. Just wish they had a loyalty program as we are looking to check off all the Fufu hotels in our lifetime."