HOTEL KARUIZAWA CROSS

I stayed for one night with a friend and was upgraded from a standard Room to a better one. The floor heating made the Room so warm and cozy! The staff were polite, the Room was clean, and we had a very relaxing time. We borrowed UNO and playing cards for fun, enjoyed drinks from the bar in our Room, and had an overall fulfilling stay! However, there were few streetlights near the Hotel, which felt a bit scary at night. We also had breakfast, but it was generally lightly seasoned, and only the soup and rice were warm. In hindsight, having breakfast at nearby restaurants might have been a better option.

We chose this Hotel based on a friend’s Review. It’s located in Old Karuizawa and feels more like a rowhouse-style cottage. From Karuizawa Station to the Hotel, it cost about 1,200 yen by taxi, and they dropped us right in front; it was about an 18-minute walk. All the staff were friendly, and we especially appreciated how kind they were to our child. With only a limited number of Rooms, we rarely ran into other guests, so it felt like staying at a private Hotel or vacation home. The Room was flat and spacious, so it felt safe even when our child ran around. Also, since there wasn’t another Room directly below us, we didn’t have to worry about noise at night. Everything felt clean.They can lend children’s shampoo/soap and phone chargers, and there were plenty of pajamas and amenities, so I think you can pack light. The bath was large—more like one at home—so we could relax comfortably. Since it was winter, the floor heating kept everything warm as well. Having water in the fridge was also helpful. There doesn’t seem to be a convenience store nearby; there’s only a vending machine on the first floor (so I recommend buying or bringing snacks in advance). Because this isn’t a typical Hotel layout/style, your expectations may differ—so I recommend checking details before booking your stay. We couldn’t use it because we had our child with us, but there is also a bar, so it seems great for couples or friends who want to enjoy the evening too.There’s a post office right across the street where you can ship luggage home—we traveled back light.Finding an Accommodation when traveling with kids can be tough, but I highly recommend this place—it’s definitely worth staying at least once!