5-Star Hotels in Nagano Prefecture, Japan

"We do really love this hotel. It’s on our special occasion and they contacted us prior to arrive if we want to have cake. They also arrange a hand written card which is very cute. The room is spacious with nice decoration, room also have a kitchen and dining area with ding tools. Staff is very helpful and friendly, we planned for a cherry blossom but it’s too soon. She recommends us for a nearby town with full bloom period. I can’t remember her name but she’s great. For next time in Hakuba, we’ll surely stay here again!"

"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 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."

"Overall, this was a rather disappointing hotel stay. Before our trip, our plans changed, and we asked the Trip.com concierge to help with cancellation/modifications. However, they were unyielding, and we couldn't cancel for free, so we had to proceed as planned. After checking in, I waited alone in the waiting area for a long time, expecting a staff member to accompany me to the room and explain the facilities. I waited for half an hour with no one attending to me. When a large group of tourists arrived, the front desk became crowded. After inquiring again, I was told there was no escort service to the rooms and I had to find my way myself. At 3:30 PM, housekeeping was still ongoing in the room areas. The room space was cramped, and the view was unremarkable. For a room rate of over 4,000 yuan, the hardware and service provided were far from satisfactory. The hotel's Italian restaurant had decent food, but it wasn't positioned as a high-end restaurant, and the wine list was very limited. The next day, I asked the front desk to call a taxi to the restaurant. For some reason, perhaps they didn't understand English, there was a long delay. After further communication, a car was arranged half an hour later, which was baffling. Considering all these experiences, I will not choose this hotel again in the future."

"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 😂"

"Except for the inconvenient location, everything else is good You must drive to get there! Their service is superb! The room is very large and there is a fire in the hotel"

"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."

"Le Grand Karuizawa Hotel & Resort is a perfect place for great views, relaxation and luxury retreat. We stayed on the top of the resort where the view of the Asama Mountain is breathtaking. The room is spacious but cozy. The dinners were very good. We stayed two nights (half board), the two fine-dining French dinners with local ingredients we had were superb. The courses served at the dinners didn’t have any repeat. I will definitely come here again for other seasons."

"A very good hotel! There is a private bath in the room yard, the bathroom supplies are of good quality, the service is very good and meticulous, the staff are always present at the right time, and the private space is very good~ The dinner and breakfast taste very good. If you want a quiet and undisturbed experience in the Japanese countryside, this is a very good choice!"

"Location: The hotel is situated at the foot of a mountain in Satoyama, a considerable distance from JR Matsumoto Station. However, it offers a unique charm with panoramic views of Matsumoto Castle from the hillside. Transportation: Unless you're driving or taking a taxi, here are your options: 1) The hotel provides a shuttle service to and from JR Station. There are two morning departures at 9 and 10 AM, passing by Matsumoto Castle before heading to JR Station. Return trips are at 4 and 5 PM. The pick-up point is at the temporary parking area to the right of JR Station Matsumoto Castle Exit (not a bus stop). 2) You can take the Meigahara Onsen bus line from the bus terminal downstairs at Alpico Plaza, opposite the temporary parking lot of JR Station, and get off at Fujii Station. You can find the bus schedule on Google Maps. Service: There are English-speaking staff at the front desk, but no Chinese speakers. Simple communication is not an issue. The service was impeccable. Dining: The breakfast is a buffet style with both Japanese and Western options, very extensive and delicious. There are also welcome drinks, including ice cream, juice, coffee, hot tea, and even draft beer! P.S. There are not many dining options near the hotel, so you might want to eat near JR Station before returning to the hotel, or dine at the hotel. I booked one of the few rooms with a private onsen. Soaking in the hot spring while enjoying views of the Northern Alps was incredibly relaxing. The hotel also has a large terrace, perfect for enjoying a drink during the evening 'blue hour' – truly one of life's most comfortable moments."