Shizukuishi Prince Hotel

What People are saying

Hotel in the mountains- with little kids

YoroNikkion 20/07/2017 15:26

Travelling to the hotel, the scenery was beautiful. The lack of power lines and building felt like we were in a ghibli movie. The smell of cedar filled the air. The hotel wasn't on the car sat nav so we stopped off at the nearest convenience store and got directions. It offered ski and golf packages. We visited in July, there were star-gazing and firefly trips at night but not suitable for over-excited 4-6 year olds, we used the onsen and enjoyed the Tv in the room. The hotel breakfast was very good and restaurant spacious. We visited on a long weekend so there were quite a lot of kids, so my kids yelling and going back and forth for food and drink didn't bother anyone. There were two restaurants on the drive up to the hotel but both were closed. We ate in the restaurants at the road side station both evenings before returning to the hotel because kids were too restless for a sit down meal so I cannot comment on the evening meal options. Staff were friendly, rooms were nice and felt clean. The view was amazing, on the 8 th floor facing the golf club house I woke up to acloud of mist that slowly blew past, the second morning there were dragon flies flying past the window and a wonderful view of the valley. I had a 3 month old baby with me, the walls seemed to be sound proof.

Could be great but falls short

marniemacon 13/03/2017 06:30

I'm a little bit torn about this one, as I really want to like this resort. The Shizukuishi Prince Hotel could be amazing if changes were made. We stayed in a renovated room which was nice enough although very small and lacking in storage space. The room size would not have been an issue if there were common areas in the hotel.

Prince are clearly attempting to go after the Western market but they aren't quite hitting the mark. Very few staff appeared to speak English (not an issue as I speak Japanese) but could be a problem for some.

The hotel is in a remote area and food and beverage options are extremely limited. Food in the main dining room was of very poor quality and the same dishes were repeated each day (I assume because the bulk of guests only stay for one or two nights). We did dine at the French restaurant one evening and this was a far more pleasant option, the food was stunning and the service excellent. I can't help but think that they are missing a trick in not making this restaurant more accessible/ affordable to guests - there was only one other group dining on the night we were there and I understand from staff that it only opens if guests book ahead.

Outside of a very sad looking space for Prince Club members, there are no common areas in the hotel (not even in the foyer) and no bar although they do sell alcohol in the dining room during meals (and outside of meal times on Friday and Saturday evenings). Sectioning off part of the French restaurant as a lounge or bar would address this.

The resort itself is great for a couple of days on the mountain. We had fresh snow on our first day and bluebird days following. This resort would be nuts if it was pumping. I think this mountain would really appeal to skiers - some great steeps and nice wide runs. That said, I enjoyed it very much as a snowboarder but it strikes me as more a skiers' mountain. Sadly they have shut down a couple of lifts and removed a gondola. The mountain would be insane if these were reinstated. Food options on mountain were also of poor quality which is unusual for Japanese resorts (although perhaps not for Prince resorts).

Overall, I liked the resort but it saddens me that it isn't being presented to its potential.

OK..

psychoactiveon 07/01/2013 06:06

Pros:

- The most convenient location if you want to ski in Shizukuishi
- Nice ski rental equipment within the hotel
- Small but nice onsen

Contras:

- Mediocre rooms
- Staff is not really attentive
- Food was really average and buffet-style
- A renovation is definitely due

It's okay, if you need to be there for some reason!

kevwcon 11/02/2010 09:19

This Prince Hotel is fine. In summer the golf course is probably nice to play on. I cannot say as I have only been here for skiing. The staff is nice and typically helpful. It is a ski-oriented place for much of the year. Typical rooms, good buffet breakfast and dinner - lots of variety. Onsen is great! I wouldn't go here if I wasn't wanting to ski or golf, however. It is really out of the way, but if you need to be in Shizukuishi for some strange reason, this would be the place to stay in your were looking for a hotel, not a pensione.