Hotels near Alexander Shaw Memorial Hall, Karuizawa

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.

The hotel's public areas are lovely, and while breakfast isn't extensive, there's enough to fill you up with good choices. The hot springs area is also great, with complete facilities and amenities. The only downside was the room. When we stayed, there was a constant, strange noise from some equipment – I'm not sure if it was the air conditioning, exhaust fan, or something else. We didn't bother changing rooms to avoid hassle. Also, it was incredibly dry in the room during winter, and even though there was a humidifier, it was very noisy when turned on. 😂 Perhaps a summer visit would be more comfortable.

I brought my own snowboard to Karuizawa. It's a 70-minute Shinkansen ride from Tokyo Station to JR Karuizawa Station. The Shinkansen luggage racks have straps to secure snowboards. After exiting the station, head to the hotel service center (open until 7 PM) located on the far right of the 7/11 convenience store at the South Exit (Pic 7). You can drop off your luggage there and then explore the Plaza unencumbered. Take the brown hotel shuttle bus to B21, where The Prince is located, every hour on the hour and half-hour. Your luggage will already be in your room, but snowboards are not allowed inside. Each day, I'd take my own snowboard on the brown bus to the gondola at the East Building. You can buy ski passes and rent equipment there. Ski pass prices are shown in Pic 6. Only guests staying in the East Building can use the hotel's lockers for ski equipment. The West Building also has a gondola, but it requires a short walk. You can't enter the hotel wearing ski boots, but the Makibi restaurant seems to be an exception. After skiing, take the green bus back to the hotel. Of the two onsen, Hongye Bisen has newer facilities and better views from the outdoor bath. All Prince Hotel restaurants require reservations made via QR code. Pics 4 and 5 show the breakfast at the main building, which is high quality and delicious. From 10 AM to 8 PM, you can enjoy unlimited soft drinks in the bar area. Finally, use the luggage delivery service when checking out. I think The Prince offers the best value for money.

I went to Karuizawa for four days and three nights! When I booked the hotel, one of the nights was a weekend, which meant I couldn't book all three nights together! I had to book them separately because the price increased significantly on the weekend. So, the room I got was smaller and more expensive than usual, and it didn't even include breakfast! My advice is definitely to avoid staying here on weekends. The good thing about this hotel is its proximity to the train station, and there's also a huge outlet mall nearby!

This was a really lovely trip. The staff here provided excellent service. As soon as the car pulled up at the hotel entrance, someone came right away to help with our luggage. We stayed for two nights and three days, and had breakfast twice — one Western-style and one Japanese-style. Both were delicious, though I personally preferred the Western breakfast. The public bath was also great. It was never crowded, which made the experience all the more enjoyable. Our room was spotlessly clean and well-kept. Compared with hotels in Hong Kong, this place offers really good value for money. That said, there was one slight downside. I found out the hotel was built over thirty years ago and only renovated a few years back. The rooms and in-room facilities still feel quite modern, but the corridors and lobby clearly show the building’s age and have barely been updated. You can definitely sense a hint of old charm here. Overall, it was a wonderful stay.

Absolutely impressed! It truly lives up to its reputation as a resort town – peaceful, beautiful, and with amazing views. The rooms were incredibly clean, the service was excellent, and the onsen was a perfect 100. The classic-style rooms were clean and cozy, with high-quality furniture. I would definitely return if I have the chance. Parking is free for those with cars, and the hotel also offers a shuttle service for train travelers. The food is high-quality, and the restaurant, rooms, onsen, and views are simply stunning.

This was my second stay here. It's about a 10-minute walk from the station, or a 1000 JPY taxi ride. Kumoba Pond is also within walking distance. The hotel is nestled in a resort area surrounded by pine trees, and the room size, especially compared to Tokyo, is incredibly spacious. The Japanese breakfast was exquisite and delicious. This time, I accidentally left a sweater behind. When I contacted the hotel to pick it up on my way back from Kusatsu, I saw staff members in the rain wiping guests' suitcases with towels – very impressive! 👍

Recommend one night and two meals. You can choose Japanese and Western breakfast. I choose one a day. French dinner🤩, hahahaha, the service can feed me. Hygiene: clean and comfortable, the room is large. Service: Whether it is the front desk, the station or the ski resort shuttle bus🚌, it is available at any time✅ Environment: ٩(๑^o^๑)۶ It is so beautiful. It is very close to the station. It would be perfect if there is a hot spring. Walk to take the bus and go to the Stone Church and Yuntang Pool. Facilities: You can rent ski equipment at the hotel. It is also okay to return it later. You can put it in the drying room by yourself.

I initially planned to book a two-night stay but was hesitant due to mixed reviews about the hotel. Instead, I opted to book for one night to see if it met my expectations, intending to decide later whether to extend my stay. After dinner at the hotel’s restaurant, I made up my mind and chose to extend for an additional night. The reception staff spoke good English, making the check-in process smooth. The set dinner and breakfast were delicious, with the restaurant staff being polite and attentive. I must commend the chef for the effort in creating varied menus for both dinner and breakfast each day of our stay. The onsen was quiet and peaceful during my visit around 5 PM. The room was spacious, and the bed was comfortable; however, the lighting was too dim for my preference. The only downside of my stay was the weak Wi-Fi signal, not just in the room but throughout most areas of the hotel.

We stayed at Karuizawa. The accommodation was reasonably priced and comfortable. They have various room types, but we chose a ryokan-style room which involved sharing a bathroom, but there were plenty of facilities and it was very convenient. Regular rooms also have private bathrooms. It's conveniently located for walking to nearby attractions. The only thing we didn't have was hot water. They actually have an onsen (hot spring), which would have been perfect if it had hot water especially with the single-digit temperatures like that, I highly recommend it to anyone interested.