RAKO HANANOI HOTEL

The Hotel is located due east of Lake Suwa. The main building has windows facing north and south, while the annex (Palace Wing) has windows facing east and west. Summer fireworks go up due north of the Hotel. If you are coming for the fireworks, it seems best to book a Room on the north side of the main building; if you want lake views and sunsets, a west-facing Room in the annex is recommended. (The “Floor Plan” on the Hotel’s official website is easy to understand.)Enter from the south side of the Hotel and head east into the large parking lot in front of the Hotel (south side). Leave your luggage with a bell person and park in an available space. Check in at reception. Your luggage will be taken to your Room on a cart. The Room is clean, stylish, bright, comfortable, and recently renovated. Along the large north-facing window there is a long counter and chairs. To the left you can see Lake Suwa; to the right, beyond the Japanese Red Cross hospital building, you can view Suwa town and the northern mountains. The night view is also beautiful. There is no view from the unit bath. At showtime, lights in buildings around town dim, and fireworks rise due north for about 10 minutes. There seems to be music as well, but it cannot be heard from inside the Room.The private bath “Anzu” is a scenic bath with a large window opening to the north. The private open-air bath “Karin” faces west but is screened by fencing for privacy. Both are spacious enough, have two washing stations each, and are clean.The Chinese cuisine is refined yet easy to enjoy. Most tables are families so it stays quiet, though there may occasionally be groups drinking loudly.The breakfast buffet is also excellent. There is a long counter on the west side where you can dine facing the lake as well (first come, first served). Breakfast hours are set generously long, and estimated busy times are posted as guidance.This Review rating reflects my personal impression assuming “3” means fair value for money at this price point.

I stay here when I have business trips to the Suwa area.It had been a while since my last stay, as I hadn’t had the chance to stay recently.The room was clean and comfortable.I especially like the large public bath, and even on a one-night stay, I used it twice—at night and again the next morning.I’d like to stay here again on my next business trip.