The hotel is lovely, the view of the river is very soothing. The welcome drinks are a really nice touch, service is excellent, breakfast was great, with very tasty Japanese and Western options. The shared onsen also was very nice.
There really are only two issues with the hotel.
First, the amenities were sparse. Lots for an American or European place, but by Japanese standards, still a bit short. No brush or comb, and nice robes but no pyjamas. On request, they’ll give you those, but the pyjamas are more thick sweatshirt and sweatpants than what I got at every other, even cheaper, Japanese hotel I ever have stayed in.
Second, the location is not great. The town of Gora is small, doesn’t have much of anything to do, and the few food places are way overpriced, unlike most in Japan.
Summary: if you’re there for the hotel and onsen and service and breakfast, it is a great place. Accept you won’t have good pyjamas, and that there’s not much to do right there. If you’re heading further towards Lake Ashi and you’re ok with it, then you’ll enjoy.
Kinderessen