LONGINGHOUSE Kyukaruizawa Suwanomori

Opened in 2023, this is the pinnacle of the renowned 'LONGING HOUSE' villa-style resort brand in Karuizawa. It perfectly blends the rich historical heritage of Old Karuizawa with a modern, luxurious adult hideaway feel, making it ideal for travelers seeking refined aesthetics and tranquil privacy. ✓ Sacred and Serene Location: Nestled in the forest directly behind Karuizawa's Suwa Shrine, it's surrounded by ancient trees. In the mornings, opening the window reveals only the crisp chirping of birds and the rustling of wind through the treetops. The best part is its peaceful yet convenient location: stepping out of the tranquil Suwa Forest, it's just a 2-minute walk to the bustling Old Karuizawa Ginza shopping street, perfectly balancing seclusion and accessibility. ✓ A Pure 'Adult's Private Retreat': To maintain an exquisite resort quality and serene atmosphere, the hotel strictly prohibits guests below high school age. With only 13 highly refined rooms, it's a private sanctuary designed exclusively for adults, ensuring no disturbance from tour groups or children. ✓ British Retro and Modern Craftsmanship in Room Aesthetics: The spacious rooms (approximately 30 square meters) feature a warm, understated British classical retro design, exuding an elegant villa resort ambiance. Rooms are equipped with top-tier ReFa beauty hairdryers/stylers and luxurious L'OCCITANE toiletries, allowing guests to enjoy modern, sophisticated pampering in a classic setting. ✓ Private Bath: The hotel offers a reservation-only private large bath (family bath) with a sleek, refined design and calm color palette. The bathhouse incorporates numerous rustic rock elements, allowing travelers to completely relax while experiencing a subtle, back-to-nature wabi-sabi Zen aesthetic. ✓ Amazing Food and Wine: The LONGING HOUSE brand is famous for its 'restaurants with incredibly delicious vegetables.' Suwa no Mori takes local ingredients and private dining experiences to the extreme, offering two distinct dinner concepts: a refined private dining room and the relaxed, slightly tipsy 'WINE BAR / ワイン酒場' (Wine Tavern).

The room was decent for the off-season price, but the details didn't hold up under scrutiny. The 'library' was more for show – just a few shelves of identical, unreadable books, and the diffuser was completely dry without being refilled. In room 828, it took ages for the hot water to come on, so I had to wash my face with cold water, which was a bit annoying. The pillows were so hard I had to remove them and sleep flat – a first for me in any hotel. I checked with Ctrip and found out the hotel doesn't offer pick-up service, but they do have two drop-off services to the station daily at 10 AM and 11 AM, which was helpful. The hotel isn't too far from the station, but it's an awkward distance to walk with luggage. If I come back to Karuizawa alone, despite the complaints, I'd still choose this place for the genuinely good single-person price. However, if I'm with family, I wouldn't return.

This British-style hotel in a quiet part of Old Karuizawa was absolutely wonderful, with a calm and elegant atmosphere, and the food was incredibly delicious. The room was very clean and beautifully decorated, and the private bath was a nice touch. The staff were all friendly and pleasant. It's also conveniently located about a 5-minute walk from Kyu-Karuizawa Ginza Street. I really loved this hotel and would definitely want to stay here again.

The location was great, very close to Old Karuizawa. Free parking was a huge plus, and they even had two types of hair irons (curling and straightener), a hairdryer, and even the shower head, all from ReFa, which was fantastic. It seems the restaurant gets fully booked, so reservations are recommended.