Kusatsu Onsen Hotel Village

The breakfast and dinner buffets were fairly standard for Japanese hotels, but the special French served dinner on the third night for a very small surcharge was superb! And the hot spring baths are fantastic at this hotel.

We were in the Tower Building this time, and the rooms (especially the bathroom) are overdue for renovation. It was perfectly clean, but the furniture and carpets are showing wear. The last time we stayed in the cabins which were very nice, and I understand the Chateau building is a bit more modern. Next time we would request to not be booked in the Tower.

The log cabins are in an are a bit far away from the main hotel building (about 1km). They're in a cliff overlooking a river, almost in the middle of the forest. They're far enough from each other. There's a free taxi service to/from the main lobby. When you check in you're given a cell phone that you can use to contact the lobby and/or ask for a pickup. They have free hourly shuttle buses from the center of town, so it's very convenient even if you don't come by car. Our log cabin was #6506. It was MUCH bigger than we expected. We were two people, but up to five could stay for the same price. There were two single beds and three futons in a closet. It was very cozy, with a very nice kitchen (equipped with silverware, microwave, pans, etc). There's a big jacuzzi bathtub, a plain toilet with washlet, and the expected toiletries. They provide towels that you can take to the onsens in the town. The cabin has heated floor and a wood stove in the center of the living room. I can't imagine a better place for a family to spend a few days in the middle of winter when there's snow all over Kusatsu. The view from the balcony is spectacular. Breakfast is in the main building, so you have to get there somehow. We just went by car, but I imagine that going to have breakfast in the middle of winter can be a challenge.

Some of the decoration and furniture is a bit dated. For example, our jacuzzi tub had the control panel removed and covered, so it was just like a very big bathtub. There were small details here and there, such as a corner of rotting wood outside in the balcony, or a board above a door that hadn't been properly nailed to the wall, or some damage in the cork tiles on the floor. Despite this, the place felt like visiting one's grandparents' house as a kid.

Hotspring was great. It was particularly exciting with Hotspring in the snow! Breakfast was great! The take home hotpot was also delicious. My family and I (altogether 4 persons) stayed 2 nights at the individual wooden cottage which was cozy and spacious. It was at some distance away from the main building where all the facilities located at (e.g. hotspring, hotel restaurants, bowling and table tennis). They offer 24 hours pick-up service to drive us to travel between the main building and right at the doorstep of the cottage I stayed. Highly appreciate this service! (note: if you are staying with someone who wants direct access of facilities within the same building, the cottage may not be the option for you. though)

The place itself is really nice and the hotel has a lot of features that makes a great value for your money.

The location is too far away from the center of the city snd taking the bus makes it a bit of a waste of time. The staff specifically the foreign staff was nice and respectful, but the Japanese staff was rude, they had no manners as of saying good morning or showed non respect for us the customers. Probably they could have more cleaned the Ofuro section.

The log house is very special. Let people have feeling of countryside, away from city for a while. The staff is nice and friendly

The toilet on the room can be cleaner and the house keeping can be better and more details when cleaning.

Spacious, tidy cottage with a fireplace and heated floors (so warm we needed to turn down the heat and open windows in the dead of winter and no smelly propane heater in sight!). Kids really enjoyed playing in the snow and the onsen was clean and well maintained. Great value given the size, location and season. Excellent option for families or groups.

No wifi in the cabins. With two teenagers this was a bit of a big deal. The fireplace has no wood provided and you only find out once in the cabin that it must be purchased from the hotel. It would have been nice to have been offered it when we checked in.

Onsen is good. Even though it is so crowded. My room in wing building is so big and not far from either restaurant or onsen. Free shuttle bus to bus station and yubatake.

Old but clean - so i can accept.

Accommodating staff. Easy to find the onsen. Easy to get to the center of the city by car and walk around.

The quality of the meals was not quite worth the price at the buffet in my opinion (attended for breakfast and dinner). Also the onsen was relatively small and you have to pay to use the pool even as a hotel guest.

Breakfast was excellent. The cottage was comfortable, private and easy to access with the free shuttle. It was well equipped, warm in winter, spacious and clean. The response to our request for transport to the lobby and back to the cottage was always within 5 minutes.

The latest you can have breakfast is 9:00 am to keep in mind. I wish there was an option to eat later. The last bus to the hotel is at 21:00 so you have to come back relatively fast. Either that or take taxi or walk.

I booked a log house bungalow which is a entirely fresh experience from the usual hotel room. My wife and I felt like vacationing in our own holiday home with the cozy and home feeling. Everyone with own car should try it.

Not recommended if you are not driving.