RAKO HANANOI HOTEL

The hotel is located due east of Lake Suwa. The main building has north- and south-facing windows, while the annex (Palace Wing) has east- and west-facing windows. Summer fireworks are launched directly north of the hotel. If you are visiting for the fireworks, a north-facing room in the main building is recommended; if you want lake views and sunsets, a west-facing room in the annex seems best. (The “Floor Plan” on the 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 main entrance (south side). Leave your luggage with a bell attendant and park in an available space. Check in at the front desk, and your luggage will be brought 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 with chairs. To the left you can see Lake Suwa; to the right, beyond a 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 from buildings in the hot-spring town dim down and fireworks rise directly to the north for about 10 minutes. Music seems to play as well, but it cannot be heard from inside this room.The private bath “Anzu” is an indoor scenic-view bath with a large window facing north. The private open-air bath “Karin” faces west but has privacy screening with fencing/hedges. Both are spacious enough, very clean, and each has two washing stations.The Chinese cuisine features approachable gourmet dishes. Most tables are families so it’s generally 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 toward the lake (first come, first served). Breakfast hours are set generously long, and estimated busy times are posted as well.My review rating reflects my personal opinion using 3 as “fair for price.”

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.