Manza Prince Hotel

My husband & I booked into a Japanese room for 4 pax as we like the space. It is at the Annex Wing. Room. it is a very old Japanese room with sliding wall paper doors badly stained & dirty. The atmosphere is just not relaxing at all. 3 blocks on slopes, the highest is the main building with reception, big snacks shop & ski equipment shop. The South Wing is the lowest & furthest away from everything, need to take the indoor sliding funicular lift to reach the block & a small indoor onsen. The Annex Wing is convenient with main indoor/outdoor onsens & restaurants located here. Meals We did not include meals with our room as we did not want to have buffet breakfast & dinner. We booked the ala carte Western restaurant. As it was a Sat, the 2 restaurants & main hall were switched around to cater to the overwhelming crowd at the buffet dinner. It was chaotic! Finally we found our way to the other corner main hall where they moved the restaurant setting to. So glad we did not buy buffet. There were only a few tables occupied & the staff was attentive and we ate in peace & quiet. Actually we had a very good full dinner & we paid less than the buffet dinner. Restaurant Staff/Chef I requested for the white sticky yam paste on my rice which I like but they do not have it. The gentleman serving us returned to say that their chef can make a fresh yam paste for me at a small surcharge. Excellent Service. Sake is poured overflowing interestingly.

The open air gender separated onsens and the one mixed onsen have breathtaking views of the Manza Onsen region! It's simply amazing when your body is immersed in the onsen, and snow is falling onto your head and shoulders. There's a free shuttle bus from Karuizawa station to the hotel, and from the hotel back to the Karuizawa station, but make sure you reserve your seat in advance (instructions on the Manza Prince Hotel website). There is also a free shuttle bus from/to Manza Prince Hotel and Manza Kogen Hotel that runs hourly so you can try the onsens at both hotels free of charge! The hotel is a little on the older side, but it's well kept and clean. Note that breakfast, lunch and dinner options at the hotel are limited and on the more expensive side so you may want to consider bringing your own meals if travelling on low budget :-)

Onsen was close to our room.Room was small and old.