落ち着いた・サービスレヴェルの良いリゾートホテル : The Prince Karuizawa

Updated December 2023 (Visit at the end of November)
Ai, the chief manager, confirmed the 6 PM Primrose reservation, so I informed them I would arrive at the entrance by 5:50.
I initially planned to go to the free lounge on the first floor, but it was quite crowded, so I headed to the club lounge on the third floor, which was completely empty.
Naruryu (Plum Wine).
Prosciutto, Azumino Wasabi Sausage, Truffle Potato Chips, Red Wine Pickles, Blue Cheese.
Seasonal Shinshu Grapes (Grape Juice).

At 5:50, I went to the entrance.
Ai, the chief manager, kindly escorted me to the West.
I was impressed when a female staff member I passed on the escalator greeted me with "Thank you as always."
(Refer to "Primrose")
Around 7:10, I left.
The elderly man at the spa (Momiji) reception had an unpleasant attitude, seeming suspicious of me.
However, the young man, Fanitari, who was from Indonesia, was friendly and smiling.
I enjoyed the onsen, cold bath, sauna, cold bath, onsen, cold bath, sauna, cold bath, onsen, cold bath, sauna, cold bath, onsen, cold bath.
At the promised time of 8:30, Ms. Ku (in her sixth year) came to pick me up.
Eight times.
I watched "Suits" on DVD.
Went to bed around midnight.

Updated in December 2023 (Visit at the end of November)
Arrived at 2:12 PM.
I was welcomed by Manager Wa, and shortly after, Manager Wa came out to greet me as well.
As I was heading to the parking lot, I found it inconvenient that the parking area does not accommodate left-hand drive vehicles. However, Manager Wa quickly came over and issued a parking ticket for me (thank you!).
(omitted)
Check-in was handled by Ms. Ku.
I was informed that if I waited about 30 minutes until the room was ready, they would provide me with a suite, so I agreed to wait.
Manager Wa escorted me to the elevator, and with Ms. Mat's guidance, I headed to the 3rd-floor club lounge.
The view of Mount Asama across the pond and golf course was stunning.
I thought there were no golfers around, but it turns out that the golf course in Karuizawa is already closed for the season.
Truffle Potato Chips, Raicho no Sato, Apple Pie.
Cappuccino.
After 3 PM, Manager Wa came to inform me that my room was ready. I was introduced to Chief Manager Ai, who has dedicated her career to Karuizawa. She escorted me to Suite 356 (comprising three rooms: the far right, the one just before it, and the far left, with four beds).
The suite measures 9 by 24 paces.
Upon entering, the living room is to the right, with the bedroom and unit bath to the right front.
To the left upon entering is another bedroom and unit bath.
Around 4 PM, I headed to the spa.
A female staff member informed me, "The car is out, so please wait a moment," but Chief Manager Ai noticed and promptly arranged for the car to be brought around.
I requested a pickup at 5:10 PM.
Mr. Fa (from Indonesia) was in charge of check-in.
I enjoyed the onsen, sauna, cold bath, onsen, cold bath, sauna, cold bath, onsen, cold bath, sauna, cold bath, onsen, cold bath.
When I arrived at the entrance before 5:10 PM, Manager Wa was already waiting for me.
Upon returning to the hotel, Manager Ai confirmed my 6 PM reservation at Primrose, so I informed them I would be at the entrance by 5:50 PM.
★ Overall rating 4 ← 3.8, Taste 3.7 ← 3.5, Service 4 ← 3.8, Cost Performance 3.9 ← 3.7, Drinks 3.8 ← 3.5.

Updated in May 2023 (Visit in April)
On April 27 (Sunday),
I woke up at 8:00 AM.
I uploaded my review of "The Prince Karuizawa" on Tabelog (from yesterday).
Around 8:40 AM, I headed to the first-floor Boursejour.
(Refer to "Boursejour")
I left around 9:50 AM.
I climbed the stairs and returned to my room while greeting the staff near the front desk (including the manager from Area I and Department Head W).
I watched "Medium" on DVD.
Around 10:45 AM, Department Head W kindly drove me to the outlet.
I purchased shoes at Reebok.
At noon, Department Head W picked me up, and we headed to Spa Momiji around 12:10 PM.
As expected, it was quiet and comfortable at this time.
The sauna was at 73 degrees, and the cold bath was at 18.1 degrees.
I usually stay in the sauna for 10 minutes, but since the temperature was lower, I extended it to 12 minutes.
I cycled through the hot spring, sauna, cold bath, hot spring, cold bath, sauna, cold bath, hot spring, cold bath, sauna, cold bath, hot spring, and cold bath.
I was picked up at 1:30 PM and returned to the hotel.
I went to the Executive Lounge.
Ms. Yo welcomed me and asked for my room number.
Strawberry Truffle, Truffle Potato Chips, Egg Sandwich, Rusk.
Iced Café au Lait (with more milk, in a 2:1 ratio).
The rusk recommended by Ms. Yo was so good that I ordered a second helping.
Rusk, Strawberry Truffle.
Around 2 PM, I was seen off by Ms. Ma as I left.
I returned to my room, watched "Medium" on DVD, and called for the bell around 2:50 PM.
The checkout staff was Mr. Sh, who was very pleasant.
I was seen off by the manager from Area I, Department Head W, and the accommodation manager W, and I departed shortly after 3 PM.
I returned home via Maebashi and Kokuya before 6 PM.
★ Overall 3.8 ← 3.3, Taste 3.5 ← 3.3, Service 3.8 ← 3, Cost Performance 3.7 ← 3.5, Drink 3.5 ← 3.3.

Updated in April 2023
I arrived around 1:45 PM via Kokuya (12:05 - 12:40).
I was greeted by the Ma advisor who asked, "Are you Mr. Yamato?" After checking in my luggage, I headed to the parking lot. I found it inconvenient that the parking lot does not accommodate left-hand drive vehicles, but I was grateful when someone quickly came to issue my parking ticket.
The check-in was handled by Ko, the front desk supervisor.
He mentioned that they could provide a shuttle to the spa at 3 PM, but I decided to take the shuttle that runs every hour at 25 and 55 minutes past the hour instead.
A male staff member informed me, "Manager Watanabe would like to greet you, but he is running late..."
Ms. Mu, who is from Indonesia, guided me to my room.
She showed me the newly opened Executive Lounge on the third floor.
My room was number 336, an Executive Twin.
It measured 11 steps by 4 steps and offered a lovely view of Mount Asama across the golf course and pond.
The Ma advisor brought the ice I had requested.
First, I headed to the Executive Lounge.
There were quite a variety of snacks available.
In addition to soft drinks, there were various alcoholic beverages as well.
Grape juice, café cappuccino.
Konjac rice cakes (Hassaku, matcha), apple pie, Raichou no Sato, financier.
Chocolate (Valrhona; 40% cocoa).
Manager W greeted me. (Omitted)
A pleasant female staff member, Ms. Ma (in her second year), was also there.
I initially planned to take the 2:55 shuttle bus to the spa, but since I was running late, I adjusted my timing to catch the 3:25 bus while writing my stay record in my room.
When I went to the front desk around 3:20, Mr. Wa, the accommodation manager, offered to drive me, and Mr. I, the regional manager for Karuizawa, joined us.
From 3:30 to 4:30 PM: Spa Momiji.
I enjoyed the hot springs, sauna, and cold bath repeatedly.
The sauna was at a low temperature of 74 degrees for a dry sauna, and the cold bath was slightly warmer at 18.3 degrees.
Mr. Wa came to pick me up.
I returned to the first-floor lounge.
△□ Ginger ale.
I returned to my room around 5 PM and watched "Suits" on DVD.
Around 5:50 PM, I went to the front desk.
After having my car brought around, I was seen off by Mr. I, the regional manager, and Mr. Wa, the accommodation manager, as I headed to Primrose.
(Refer to "Primrose")
I left around 7:10 PM. The total for two was JPY 22,600.
It felt a bit overpriced for what we received.
I went to the spa around 7:20 PM.
I repeated the hot springs, sauna, and cold bath.
I exited after 8 PM.
(Omitted)
I had to wait about 15 minutes (it seems they have started waiting for the regular shuttle).
I returned to my room and uploaded my review of "Ebara Honten" on Tabelog.
This was my 12th visit.
I wrote my stay record and watched "Suits" and "Tenkano Goikenban" on DVD.
I went to bed after midnight.
★ Overall rating: 3.8 (previously 3.6), Taste: 3.4 (previously 3.3), Service: 3.9 (previously 3.8), Cost performance: 3.8 (previously 3.5).

Updated May 2024 (Visited in March)

On March 31,
I woke up just after 7 a.m.
Checked the Sankei, Yomiuri, and Nikkei newspapers.
Posted about "Hotel New Grand" on Tabelog.
Around 8:40 a.m., I headed to Bonté.
(See "Bonté")
Around 9:40 a.m., I was seen off by Mr. Og to the elevator and left for my room.
In my room, while drinking Aquas from the refrigerator, I wrote my stay report.
△(□) Aquas:
A safe choice.

Around 10:50 a.m., I went to the hot spring facility "Momiji."
Tsu.AM kindly transported me to Momiji.
Hot springs, sauna, cold bath, hot springs, cold bath, sauna, cold bath, hot springs, cold bath, sauna, cold bath, hot springs, cold bath, sauna, cold bath, hot springs, cold bath.
Exited around 12:30 p.m.
Tsu.AM came to pick me up, and I returned to the hotel.
I went to the lounge on the first floor.
While drinking apple juice, Fu.AM came to greet me, and we chatted for a while.
△(□) Apple Juice:
It was decent, and I had a refill.

Just after 1:10 p.m., Fu.AM saw me off to the elevator as I headed back to my room.
I used the massage chair while watching "Castle" on DVD.
Around 2:40 p.m., I called for the bell.
At the front desk during checkout, I was told I couldn’t pay the parking fee there, and it had to be paid at another machine. "Wa was out and couldn't greet you, but sends regards," they said. However, Wa's chief manager arrived just as I finished checking out to assist with the parking fee payment... I had trouble using my card smoothly... and they kindly helped me with that.
I was seen off by Wa's chief manager and Tsu.AM, and left around 3 p.m.
Returned home through the Toripei Fujioka branch before 5 p.m.

Updated in April 2024 (Usage in March)

I had lunch at Karuizawa Prince West "All-Day Dining Primrose" and arrived around 2:30 PM via the outlet.
There's no doorman stationed at the entrance.
I handed my luggage to a male staff member who came out after a while and went to the parking lot.
Since the car does not support left-hand driving, I turned off the engine (I just bought a Ferrari Roma and couldn't figure out how to park it in P mode (laughs)) and got out to get a ticket.
The parking space per car is narrow.
I checked in at the front desk (previously, check-in was done at the table on the left).
After checking in, the Chief Manager of W Accommodation came to greet me (business card exchange). I expressed my request for the seat at Bois Sejour for the next day.
My room is room 326.
It's narrow at 11.5 x 4.5 tatami mats due to the old construction.
Below is a pond, and beyond the golf course in front, you can still see the snow-covered Mt. Asama.
I quickly drank some apple juice from the fridge.
△+ Apple Juice
Around 3:20 PM, I headed to the onsen facility "Momiji." The W Chief Manager drove me there himself.
I paid a bathing tax of JPY 150 at the reception (valid until noon the next day).

Onsen, sauna, cold bath, onsen, cold bath, sauna, cold bath, onsen, cold bath, sauna, cold bath, onsen, cold bath.

The area in front of the cold bath right after exiting the sauna is a bit slippery and dangerous.
The sauna raises the temperature to 76 degrees with a Louro, while the cold bath was slightly on the higher side at 19.1 degrees (the ideal range is 16-18 degrees).
Although there are hair tonics in the changing room, there are no brushes or combs, and I need to bring those from the reception (there was no explanation about that).
Around 4:25 PM, I finished and asked Mr. Ho at the reception to arrange my car.
Soon after, the W Chief Manager came to pick me up himself.
Back at the hotel, I went down to the first floor (the front desk is on the second floor) and had some ginger ale with ice at the lounge (self-service).
△(□) Ginger Ale
Returning to my room, I relaxed on the foot massager while writing my stay journal.
Before 6 PM, I went down to the first floor to head to Touli in the West. The W Chief Manager noticed and drove me again.

(See "Touli")

Around 7:50 PM, Chef K saw me off to the car before I left and returned to the hotel.

I returned to my room and relaxed on the foot massager while browsing the internet.
Wifi was incredibly slow.
I uploaded "Imahan Mitsukoshi Ginza" on Tabelog, but couldn't upload the photos. I resized them, lowering the quality to get them uploaded.
I drank some drinks from the fridge.
I took a bath in my room.
Having two towels and bath towels for two uses is better than at The Prince Park Tower, Tokyo.
I went to bed around midnight.

★ Overall 3.6 ← 3.5, Service 3.8 ← 3.4.

Updated in June 2017

After having lunch at Honke Hara from 11:10 to 11:45, I headed straight to The Prince Karuizawa. I arrived around 1:30 PM.
While checking in, I enjoyed apple juice (choosing from wine or tea), with Ms. M attending to me.

Apple Juice:

It was supposed to be apple juice from Shinshu, but of course it wasn't fresh, and the taste was somewhat lacking. If it’s not fresh, I feel like it might be better if it were not 100% pure juice at all.

I had planned to use the hot spring facility in the East, but it turns out that the boiler has been acting up since this morning and it won't be usable today or tomorrow!? As an alternative, I was informed I could use the Chikuda Falls hot spring facility, so I arranged for a car at 2 PM.
I headed to Room 125, a Superior Twin (non-smoking). I wanted to request a 70-minute Thai massage for JPY 8,500, but I was told it could only be done in this room. This made me go "?” so I opted for a regular 40-minute massage for JPY 5,000 at 4:30 instead.
When I inquired about the LAN cable, Ms. M did not know either, so she checked and called. Surprisingly, it turns out while the 2nd and 3rd floors have connection, the 1st floor has no LAN connection!? However, I was reassured that the Wi-Fi was fine, so I went with that instead.
In the room, there were two drinks from the manager. [On first glance, it looks like a water bottle, but if you twist the top and shake it, it turns into tea.]
At 2 PM, Ms. K kindly drove me to Chikuda Falls hot spring.
I arrived in about 20 minutes.
I arranged to be picked up at 3 PM.
I was impressed that they had a low-temperature sauna (just under 70 degrees) and a cold bath. In that case, I should have requested a later pickup.
I got into the car at 3 PM and returned to the hotel promptly. I borrowed a book titled "Seasonal Ingredients" at Rindo and went back to my room.

I had my massage from 4:30 to 5:10 PM with Mr. O from Yoneda Ryoho for 40 minutes at JPY 5,000.

At 6 PM, I headed to Boursejour.
I love the view from the entrance on the 2nd floor, so I intended to take the elevator up, but I saw the restaurant manager K at the 1st floor entrance right across from the elevator, so I entered from there instead.
I left around 7:40 PM.
(Refer to [Boursejour])

After returning to my room, I wrote in my travel diary and browsed the internet.

I went to bed around 11:30 PM.

June 25
I woke up at 7:45 AM.

At 8 AM, I went to Boursejour.
I was greeted by Sommelier M and soon secured a window-side seat!
(Refer to "Boursejour")
I could see the hotel golf course across the pond, but I didn't see any players.
I understood why it’s become less expensive.
Just before 9 AM, I was seen off by Captain H as I exited.
I checked out around 10 AM.
Ms. S came to collect my luggage, and the checkout was handled by Ms. M and Ms. K.
After being seen off by Mr. K (details omitted) and Ms. S, I departed.

I arrived just after 7 PM.

A staff member named N came out quickly to assist and took my luggage.
After parking the car, I returned to find the front desk located to the right, while I checked in at a table set in front of the left-side fireplace (handled by Ms. N).
I chose apple juice as my welcome drink.
The leader from room O came to greet me.

Room 232. Superior Twin.
12 steps by 5 steps.
The view in front of the room features a pond and a golf course, enhancing the resort atmosphere.

November 20
I woke up before 8 AM.
Took a bath. The newspaper was the left-leaning Shinano Mainichi.

I had breakfast at Bourseure at 8:30 AM.
I ran into Ms. N at the entrance and informed her that I hadn’t received the enjoyment ticket for my stay; she kindly went to fetch it right away.
Breakfast is JPY 3600 (tax included, service charge extra)
As soon as I opened the door (which was closed), I was pleasantly surprised by the setting!
The restaurant is downstairs, with stairs leading down to the left.
Upon descending the stairs, I found the reception was empty, and already seven guests were lined up waiting.
There were only four chairs available, and among those standing, some were using canes.
I overheard displeased conversations among the waiting guests regarding the staff's lack of responsiveness.
After a while, a staff member finally came, asking each guest in line how many people were in their party.
They began to seat guests one by one.
I had hoped for a table facing the pond, but I was seated at a corner table closest to the restroom.

Juice, main egg dishes, and post-meal coffee or tea were available for selection.

△ + Vegetable and Fruit Mixed Drink

△ (□) Onion Cream Soup

△ + Salad with Roast Ham and Cucumber (including lettuce) with apple miso dressing

△ □ Yogurt from Shinshu Yatsugatake Jersey with Apricot Compote and Granola: Rich in flavor, it exceeded my expectations.

△ Fried Egg with Side Meat and Steamed Vegetables: The sweet potato was unexpectedly delightful.

△ Roll & Croissant: Three types—regular roll, brown sugar bread, and croissant. I wish they had brought all three at the start (they arrived late with the fried egg).

Accompaniments for the bread included butter, blueberry jam, and honey. Personally, I prefer strawberry jam.

△ + Coffee: Served with milk properly.

I think there were about six staff members (all men), but half seemed to be just serving.
The building's design and atmosphere are nice, so if the staff level improves, it could be quite a good restaurant…

I checked out around 10 AM.
When I was asked to wait a moment by a somewhat inexperienced young male staff member handling the checkout, the manager S came out to greet me and saw me off until the end.
Overall, the level of staff in the accommodation department is high, while the level in food and beverage is relatively low.
The setup of the room offering a view of the golf course across the pond fully captures the resort feeling and is refreshing.
It would be even better if there were a few more dining options (like Japanese or Chinese food)...