Hotel Indigo Karuizawa by IHG

One of the best hotels I’ve stayed in. We visited in early November 2025 during the autumn season, and the beautiful foliage added such a romantic touch to the surroundings.I loved the modern interior, the comfortable bed, and the overall room layout. The hotel looks incredibly romantic at night too, especially with the reflections on the pond.The outdoor onsen was a highlight. It felt serene at night, and the maple trees lit up in the evening made it absolutely scenic. The onsen is located in a separate building, so you do have to walk through the cold, but it wasn’t an issue as the hotel provides thicker robes. If I had to nitpick, the indoor slippers weren’t the most comfortable.We drove during our stay, so getting to nearby attractions was easy. There’s a large supermarket and a pharmacy about 5–10 minutes away, which was very convenient — we didn’t even need to visit any convenience stores.This hotel impressed me so much that it made me look up where else Hotel Indigo has branches in Japan!

We had an amazing experience here. The rooms and amenities were top notch. We especially want to thank Jason and mention him directly because he went above and beyond for us. I lost my phone on the Shinkansen and he helped us track it down and make sure they held it for us in Tokyo. He was friendly, professional, and extremely helpful. Thank you so much Jason! And thank you Hotel Indigo for a wonderful stay.

We had an excellent stay at hotel indigo karuizawa. Hotel was in good condition, amenities all provided with comfort, staff was excellent and helpful with special mention to Uyen. She helped problem solve our transport issues, gave good recommendation and was fast in stepping up. I also saw that Uyen subsequently followed up and checked that my transport routes were resolved. Kay was another good staff at the reception who helped answer all queries. Everything was perfect except the shuttle service if only could be more frequent and longer hours it would really help as taxi was expensive in karuizawa and the hotel is a distance to the station and town. If the shuttle issue was fixed, this would have been the best hotel ever.

Beautiful and modern hotel, the room is spacious and bed was comfortable. My husband and I came here to celebrate our babymoon and stayed at Hotel Indigo for 2 nights. Everything was perfect! The public bath was amazing as well! Offering indoor and outdoor bath with sauna. The only small issue we had was the room phone did not work properly and we cannot dial a local phone number, but the hotel staff came to the room to help us with that, and offered us to call at the front desk instead. I would recommend the hotel to my friends if they are visiting Karuizawa.

Hotel Indigo Karuizawa: A Serene Escape Blending Luxury and Nature Overall Impression Hotel Indigo Karuizawa is an absolute gem, offering a perfect blend of high-end comfort, superb dining, and immediate access to the serene natural beauty of Minami Karuizawa. It’s the ideal destination for anyone looking for a rejuvenating 2-3 night stay to explore the area's nature, art, and skiing opportunities. Location and Access The hotel is perfectly situated in Minami Karuizawa, roughly three kilometers from the main Karuizawa JR station. Transportation is remarkably seamless; the complimentary shuttle bus service from the JR station's South Exit makes arrival and departure effortless. A small point for planning: while there are convenience stores nearby, they operate on city hours, typically closing around 23:00 (11:00 PM). This is a charming reminder that you are truly away from the bustle of Japan's larger cities, so plan your late-night snacks accordingly! Accommodation and Comfort The rooms are a highlight of the stay. They are genuinely spacious and comfortable, providing ample room to relax and unwind. What truly elevates the experience is the view—waking up to the great nature view outside your window is incredibly refreshing and makes for a tranquil morning start. Dining, Spa, and Features The hotel’s facilities are exceptional. The restaurant is a standout feature, praised for its great ambiance and, most importantly, tasty food. Whether you're enjoying a hearty dinner or starting your day, the breakfast spread is also notably good, offering a wonderful selection of dishes. For relaxation, the spa is very well-appointed and provides excellent features, ensuring you can fully decompress after a day of exploring. The Karuizawa Experience Karuizawa is a destination worth savoring, and this hotel serves as the perfect base. We strongly recommend a visit of at least 2 to 3 nights to fully immerse yourself in the local environment, whether you are drawn to the crisp air for skiing, exploring the numerous art museums, or simply soaking in the nature. Moreover, while the hotel is peaceful, the area near the JR station offers excellent variety for shoppers, featuring duty-free options and many big brand names. Service and Staff The entire staff contingent deserves special recognition. They are amazing, friendly, and incredibly helpful. Exceptional service can transform a good trip into a great one, and the team at Hotel Indigo ensures every guest feels genuinely welcomed and looked after.

We stayed 3 days at Indigo Karuizawa and it was wonderful. Noticing that we were a family of 4 with a lot of luggage, Front Assistant Manager, Hiroyuki Murakami offered us the option to upgrade to their suite, and we were so glad we did. The suite comfortably slept 4 people, and had its own hot tub so we could enjoy an onsen experience in the privacy of our own room. Service was excellent and hotel was beautiful. We will stay here again if we visit Karuizawa

Overall Rating: 3/5 Headline: Beautiful design, but the experience doesn’t quite live up to the price. I stayed here for two nights in December. Visually, the hotel is impressive—but once you start living in the space, the gaps become noticeable. What worked well Atmosphere & Scent The “wood fire” concept is honestly the highlight of the stay. The subtle firewood scent in the lobby, corridors, and onsen area is very well done—noticeable but never overwhelming. It sets the mood the moment you step inside. Design & Public Spaces The wood-heavy architecture looks great in person. Areas around the fire pit and corridors feel calm and resort-like, and yes, they’re very photogenic. It’s easy to relax here, at least visually. Onsen The carbonated spring is excellent. I enjoyed the public bath so much that I never even used the shower in my room during the entire stay. Where it fell short Arrival & Service For a hotel at this price point, the arrival felt surprisingly flat. There was no escort to the room, and while the staff were polite and properly trained, the warmth and attentiveness just weren’t there. Ironically, I’ve had more genuine hospitality at lower-tier properties, like the MGallery in Sapporo. The “River View” (Seasonal Reality Check) I paid extra for a river view, but in December that basically means bare branches. No autumn colors, no snow—just a lot of visual nothing. The view premium only makes sense in certain seasons, and that isn’t clearly communicated. Soundproofing This was probably the biggest disappointment. Sound insulation is simply not good enough for a luxury brand. I could clearly hear a neighbor coughing at night and children running in the hallway in the morning. It felt more like staying in a suburban apartment than a high-end hotel. Room Layout The layout is awkward. The toilet is right at the entrance, while the bathroom is all the way at the far end of the room. It’s not unusable, just unintuitive—and you notice it every day. Hardware Details Small things matter at this level. The toilet doesn’t have an auto-open lid, and worse, the seat makes a loud mechanical “chugging” noise when you sit down. It’s oddly distracting in an otherwise modern room. Dining & Value Food Breakfast was forgettable (the oat milk was decent, though). I also tried the Winter Limited Course at Kagaribi, and honestly, it didn’t feel worth the price. You’re probably better off eating at the nearby Prince Shopping Plaza. Price Because this was a last-minute booking, I paid about 115,000 JPY for two nights, including one dinner. At around 35,000 JPY per night, the hotel makes sense. Once you cross the 50,000 JPY+ range, the shortcomings become hard to ignore. Final thoughts This is a decent option for a short, off-season stay if you’re mainly here to experience the design and onsen—and only if you can get a reasonable rate (around $300 per night). But if you’re expecting a seamless, detail-driven luxury experience, the gap between how good the hotel looks and how it actually feels to stay here is hard to overlook.

I can’t say enough about how wonderful this place is. Customer Service is amazing. Every employee here is so attentive and super friendly and lots of smiling faces. Roy does a wonderful job at this Hotel. And Mino has given me the best massage I have ever had and trust me I’m a Salon Spa owner and have traveled a lot and always get massages where I go. I just want to put her in my suitcase and bring her home with me. This place doesn’t dissapoint.

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