ANA Holiday Inn Resort Shinano-Omachi Kuroyon

This is a wonderful Hotel. IHG members can check out at 2:00 PM, so you can work up a sweat in the large public bath during a quieter time before heading home. Breakfast is delicious, and after you order an egg dish it is brought to your table, so you don’t have to wait for several minutes in front of the live kitchen—an appreciated touch. The “Bircher muesli” on the menu is especially recommended. Finally, the location is excellent: taking advantage of its convenient setting, you can drive about 10 minutes early in the morning to Ogizawa Station and reach Kurobe Dam from there—only about 30 minutes to this spectacular dam in the sky.

Although it was a short stay, it was wonderfully comfortable and enjoyable. The Hotel is stylish throughout, impeccably clean, and offers a spacious, relaxing atmosphere. I also appreciated how the staff were courteous and attentive, always with warm smiles. The bath area was very spacious, and I could unwind in the open-air bath while taking in the forest right in front of me. Breakfast featured plenty of local ingredients and regional specialties; everything was excellent and very satisfying. I especially enjoyed being able to try Toji soba. It was a fantastic Hotel that made me want to return. Highly recommended.