Le Grand Karuizawa Hotel & Resort (Granbell Hotels & Resorts)

We had planned to visit last September, but we had to cancel because my husband suffered a heart attack, so we were finally able to come this May. I was so excited that I booked the Shinkansen to match the earliest shuttle bus. When we arrived before 11:00, we were shown to a lounge that felt like a European palace and enjoyed coffee. After leaving our luggage, we went straight to the open-air bath at Happu Onsen, then had tempura soba at Minori next door, and used the one-drink service from the front desk for Shinshu apple juice. Since I wanted to explore the spacious grounds, I didn’t take the cart and instead enjoyed the scenery and the sound of Japanese bush warblers.Although check-in is usually at 15:00, they kindly escorted us to our Room early at 13:30 as a special arrangement. After using the open-air bath in the main building, we enjoyed Calpis, cocoa, and apple cookies at the poolside bar. We then walked up to Suite Terrace on top of the hill and had lemonade and apple cookies.The dinner’s new onion potage soup was exquisite—I almost wanted seconds. The sea bream dish was also wonderful: perfectly crisp skin with tender flesh inside, and a delicious seafood-flavored sauce around it. After dessert and coffee arrived, we were surprised to receive additional small sweets as well.For breakfast there was an Onsen egg, so I fully enjoyed my favorite tamago-kake gohan.The Room may feel a little dark for some people, but it’s gentle on your eyes and very relaxing. If you plan to do your makeup, I recommend bringing a handheld mirror into the bathroom area. There were loungewear provided in the Room, and both hand towels and bath towels were available for bathing as well.All of your staff were very kind, which made us truly happy.Next time I’d love to visit when the roses are in bloom.Thank you very much for taking such good care of us.

I was disappointed before because the twin Room had almost no view, so this time I chose a double Room. It was wonderful to see Mt. Asama. If possible, I would appreciate a Hollywood twin setup. The dinner course was very delicious—especially the chilled corn soup, which was sweet and became my favorite. The presentation was beautiful, and the flavors were not too strong—just right.I arrived early and check-in procedures were quick, but I still couldn’t enter the Room yet. Does this Hotel not offer a welcome drink? Since it’s summer, I would be happy if something could be provided. I asked to be taken by cart to the mountaintop terrace to cool off, but there wasn’t even water available there either. (It seems drinks are served in front of the pool Rooms and on the mountaintop after 3:00.) There are no vending machines on the property, and since it’s in the mountains, I hope you can improve this.That said, as always, your garden has beautiful flowers and abundant nature. While walking down using the outdoor stairs from the mountaintop area, I heard rustling—when I looked over, a deer was running up!This is a Hotel I would definitely like to visit again.