I stayed at Hotel Marroad Karuizawa, which is about a 12-minute walk from Karuizawa Station. The surrounding area is very quiet and peaceful. The lobby has a charming retro Showa-era vibe, and the hotel is a two-story building. The room was spacious, comfortable, and very quiet. The Japanese-style futon mattress was thick and extremely comfortable, while the Western-style bed had a good balance of softness and firmness. The room amenities were well provided, and the hotel staff were very friendly. There is also a shuttle service to the ski resort and the station, which was very convenient.
Although the hotel is a bit far from Ginza Street and nearby convenience stores, taking a taxi only takes about five minutes, so getting around was still quite easy.
That said, there are a few minor drawbacks:
1️⃣ There is no elevator, escalator, or ramp from the entrance to the front desk, which makes carrying luggage inconvenient. Many guests have mentioned this issue.
2️⃣ The sink has separate hot and cold water taps instead of a single mixer tap, which feels a bit outdated and less convenient.
3️⃣ The air conditioner is relatively loud. Even in sleep mode, it turns on and off automatically, which can be a bit annoying at night.
4️⃣ The hotel uses traditional keys instead of key cards, and you need to leave the key at the front desk when you go out. That said, this also adds to the nostalgic atmosphere of the hotel and fits well with its retro style.
