Hotel Indigo Karuizawa by IHG

The hotel check in staffs are friendly and accommodating. The restaurant front host on 6/26/2025 was horrible. We have confirmed with the front staff we don't need to reserve the dinner and breakfast as long as we go before 1 hour of kitchen closing. At the time of step in the restaurant around 7pm, the host told us that we can not dine if no reservation was made. We can only eat at our room for dinner. Please note this hotel is located nowhere. You cannot find nearby restaurant. After we made the complain that we have confirmed that no reservation is needed for the dinner and breakfast at the time of check in. She then told us to come back at 8pm. But at that time, there are many empty tables. We asked if we come back early to check and she said no, only at 8pm. At the time we come back at 8pm, there are many empty tables. Because of this booking drama, we asked if we need to book for the breakfast, she said yes. Otherwise, there would be no seat available. The horrible host also refused make any accommodating of reservation for the breakfast reservation. She asked us must come by 8:45am, when we asked to book for 9am. She refused said no other appointments are available and the kitchen will close after 9am. We said the check in said the last entry for the breakfast is 10am. She said no, the kitchen will close at 9am. The next morning, we saw people are coming around 9:30am, 10am. What a horrible experiences when we saw the signature of Last Entry 10:00am. Please train your staffs.

I would like to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for the exceptional service I experienced during my stay at your wonderful hotel. Prior to my arrival, I contacted your team regarding room selection, and I was delighted with your professionalism and enthusiasm in assisting me. Based on your advice, I chose the riverside view, and it turned out to be the most stunning choice. Thank you for your thoughtful recommendations and for patiently addressing my inquiries multiple times—your dedication made my experience all the more special. During my stay, I was fortunate to witness breathtaking snowy landscapes right from the hotel entrance, which was an unexpected and delightful sight in the summer. The hotel’s large communal bath was another highlight, providing a perfect retreat for cold weather relaxation. At check-in, your staff recognized my Diamond Member status with a warm welcome and a delicious welcome drink. I was particularly impressed by how the ingredients of the welcome drink were thoughtfully explained to me. Additionally, your team kindly assisted me with my luggage and ensured I felt right at home. The dining experience was equally remarkable—breakfast was delicious, and the restaurant staff were exceptionally friendly and engaging, making every interaction feel warm and personal. The cozy fireplace in the lobby added a charming touch and made the atmosphere even more inviting. While the shuttle bus schedule was limited, I found alternative ways to reach nearby outlets. This minor inconvenience did not overshadow the wonderful overall experience. I will undoubtedly choose your hotel for future stays and sincerely hope for another room upgrade during my next visit. Thank you once again.

New and well maintained. Rooms quite well designed in standard hotel layout if a bit small. Greenery view is nice but not very expansive. Nice water glasses in room. We had king with bath next to balcony and greenery view. Wouldn’t stay here if we didn’t drive as nothing else around it. Located at a road junction. Good base for traveling in area as easy parking. Nice campfire style drinks a. Beautifully designed resort style property. But rooms could’ve been more resort style sized.

We stayed at Hotel Indigo Karuizawa for 3 days and 2 nights in a Twin Standard Garden View Room as a family of five—including our two young children (ages 5 and 3) and a nanny. It was a wonderful stay, and we’re already looking forward to coming back!||What We Loved:|* Ideal Location: The hotel is conveniently located just 5 minutes from Karuizawa Station. There’s also a convenience store just a 2-minute walk away, which made things even easier during our stay.||* Free Shuttle Service: They provide a shuttle to both Karuizawa Station and the Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza, which are located opposite each other. It was incredibly convenient for quick and easy travel back and forth.||* Spacious and Comfortable Room: The room was modern and spacious by Japanese standards. The twin beds are in a Hollywood twin arrangement (each bed 120 x 203 cm), which was big enough for the four of us to sleep comfortably. Our nanny had a cozy sofa bed, which worked perfectly for her.||* Tranquil Atmosphere: The whole property has a zen-like, peaceful feel. It was a calming and serene retreat—perfect for relaxing with family.||* Thoughtful Amenities: We appreciated the little touches, like pajamas provided for all of us, which meant we could pack lighter. They also offer robes for guests to wear to the public bath area.||* Luggage Delivery Service: They offer Yamato Transport luggage delivery—just drop your bags at the front desk, and the staff will assist with the forms and the process. Very convenient if you're heading to another city afterward.||* Close to the Ski Resort: If you’re visiting the Karuizawa Prince Hotel Snow Resort (including the snow park or ski area), it’s just about 8 minutes by taxi from the hotel.||* IHG Platinum Member Perks: As an IHG Platinum member, we appreciated the guaranteed late check-out, which made our departure day stress-free.||Final Thoughts:|We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Hotel Indigo Karuizawa. The combination of comfort, convenience, and peaceful surroundings made it an ideal choice for our family. We’re already excited to return on our next trip to Karuizawa!

Beautiful hotel, and the whole experience was amazing. The rooms are so spacious and well laid out that you almost want to just live there your whole trip. Depending on where your room is, you might get a room with a view of the river (and there is a view) though deeper into spring you might have zero visibility to the river, unfortunately. Otherwise you're looking into the grounds and towards the mountain range further up the road. Checking in was easy and actually pretty pleasant, we were offered a juice made with local fruit while we waited. The rooms again are beautifully laid out, and there are hanten hanging on the coat rack (might depend on the season though). The breakfast/dinner spot are the same place, and the selection is fantastic. Varied. Make use of the shuttle bus! It does get cramped and filled up, but better than spending a bit extra for a taxi. Unless you're in a rush and the shuttle isn't running when you need to head out. There's a Lawson right across the street, very useful if you're not feeling like a big dinner or just want a drink.

Such a lovely hotel. I love the fact it is more like a resort -many small buildings rather than one huge one. Everything is very new, beautiful & feel very zen. I definitely would go back. The breakfest was extremely good. Onsen is quite good as well. A bit too many families & kids for my taste. I tought it would be more couples, but there were many families. The staff were very caring. The only thing is that it is a bit outside of the central area of the city - but you can easily get a bike & head to the centre in 15-20min/taxi for about 2500¥. Also the good thing is that there is a hotel shuttle bus but we only learnt that at the check out

I had an absolutely wonderful stay at this hotel! From the moment I arrived, I felt warmly welcomed and well taken care of. The shuttle service from the train station was very convenient, though seating is first come, first served. Upon arrival, I was immediately charmed by the rustic yet contemporary and elegant lobby, especially the beautiful communal fireplace which created such a cozy atmosphere. Check-in was a breeze, thanks to the lovely Ms. Hoshino. She was incredibly helpful, taking the time to show me around the property, including the restaurant and spa buildings. As a Platinum member, I got an upgraded river-view room, which I truly appreciated. Throughout my stay, she was always attentive whenever I passed through the lobby. The guest rooms are just a short walk from the main building, and I was personally escorted to mine by Harumi, who was really sweet and welcoming. I enjoyed our conversations on our way to my room. The hospitality didn’t stop there as I was also assisted by Aizawa and Ishikawa at different points during my stay, both of whom provided excellent service, from luggage forwarding to taxi arrangements. One of the highlights was the sento bath which was a well-equipped facility with everything you could need for relaxation. The indoor and outdoor baths were spacious. And, the room was perfect. It was spacious, beautifully designed, and so comfortable that I genuinely felt like staying in all day! The rain shower was fantastic, and I loved that I could enjoy the view outside from the bathtub. My only small suggestion would be to have the WC located closer to the main bathroom area for convenience. Otherwise, everything was thoughtfully designed, from the cozy bedding to the private balcony, where I enjoyed a warm cup of coffee on a crisp winter morning. Soaking in the tub on a cold night felt so luxurious too. Breakfast was another great experience, with an impressive selection of dishes. A special mention to Sugi, who was so charming and attentive. The walnut panna cotta was SO good, by the way! I don’t usually like sweets but that was actually very light and refreshing at breakfast! Guests can also order drinks in the lobby. For Platinum guests, you can choose a complimentary drink as your welcome gift. I was served a lovely glass of red that was from the local Nagano region. It was just so relaxing to enjoy a drink by the fireplace on a winter night with a book, hearing the fireplace cracking softly. To make it more magical, it suddenly began to snow outside. The falling snow against the backdrop of the hotel’s outdoor illumination really made me feel all warm and fuzzy :) I only wish I had stayed longer! I’d love to return in the summer or autumn to experience the beauty of a different season. A huge thank you to the entire hotel team for providing such a perfect experience. I can't wait to visit again.

A very nice and pleasant experience staying in this hotel. Although it is not near the train station, it not too far way and it’s quite and peaceful.The SPA building and the hot bath was great. The wood made gym room was also very interesting. I had a peaceful morning sitting at the outdoor area of my room, sipping a cup of illy capsule coffee. A wonderful morning which highlights my trip.

The first Hoshinoya property, this is a mountain retreat built for getting away. I came in the winter and even with the bare trees, the grounds were beautiful, which leads me to believe there probably isn't a bad time of year to visit. Each room type is unique and compelling in its own way, and though many will argue for the riverside views, I opted for a higher mountain view room, which I didn't regret, especially for privacy and the views after it began snowing on my last day there. Adjacent to the lobby, the restaurant is the perfect place to take advantage of the Japanese style breakfast, which is a real treat in a phenomenal setting, with the sun coming through the soaring windows. And up the stairs from the restaurant is the library lounge in the main building for relaxing, sipping tea, coffee or blueberry and ume juice, where you will likely find yourself multiple times a day gaffling the cute snacks. The on-site meditation bath is impressively mystical, with the main chamber branching off into a path just large enough for an adult to wade through to the final tiny room, lit only by a few underwater lights. Be sure to walk or get a car ride down to the nearby Harunire Terrace for its shops, cafes, and restaurants. Though most will flock to the Japanese and western style restaurants, do not miss Sajilo Cafe, which was my favorite meal here, hands down. Though it did not ruin an otherwise luxurious stay, it unfortunately has to be mentioned that parts of the rooms are aging, and none more so than the toilet rooms, which have a very noticeable musty, old plumbing/public restroom smell. I raised this twice with the staff, understanding there was not much they could do, and they helpfully let me borrow a deodorant spray. Sadly, holding my nose every time I walked in there ended up being the easiest solution. As with the Hoshinoya Tokyo, service is above and beyond. At every turn, the staff are there to make your stay as perfect as they can, whether it's picking you up from dinner (and then patiently waiting as you dart in to buy a last minute souvenir) or accommodating a request to handle check out the night before you leave. If you are going to Karuizawa, this is an amazing place to make some very special memories.

I would say this is a great spot for relaxation. If you enjoy nature and hot spring, I would def recommend this place. However as for room quality and price, I think it is on the stiff side. Room did not meet my expectations. We also got a reservation for dinner at the lobby area. Service was fantastic, every staff was super nice. Food was also delicious and have the best plating. It is a prefix menu comes with different sets of dishes. My favorite is def their beef shabu. Beef in Japan never disappoints me. It was melting in my mouth. However some dishes were not really impressive and flavor was lacking like their bamboo rice and some appetizers. Overall, I enjoyed the facility and nature of this place but in terms of price point and food, I probably won't return.

Hoshinoya Karuizawa, one of the highest quality resorts in Japan, has 77 guest rooms in a small, newly created village. Rooms are arranged in lines along a pure stream running through a valley between hills. We got up early and had a nice walk in the morning, then went out and spent time outside the village on bicycles. We came back to the village in the afternoon, and then relaxed at the spa and library. This is what Hoshinoya looks like and feels like: https://youtu.be/kzWWDbXD-h8 This is their food selection: https://youtu.be/ewR3LGTqGx4