Karuizawa Prince Hotel West with Kids: What Reviews Say
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Karuizawa Prince Hotel West looks convenient for families, close to both the station and the outlet mall, yet many parents hesitate right before booking: should you choose the main building or a cottage, and can you use the hot spring with a small child? This article is not a stay report. It is a close reading of 100 reviews on Rakuten Travel, one of Japan's largest hotel booking sites (13 of which mention children).
hotelThe hotel in this article
A large 421-room resort where you can choose between twin rooms in the main building and detached cottages scattered through the forest, and children under 6 stay free (no room charge). It has a hot spring building, crib and stroller rentals, a nursing room in the lobby, and other gear for families with babies.
Our source material is the 100 most recent reviews posted on Rakuten Travel. Only 13 mention children in the text, so we also read the 83 reviews from guests who listed their travel party as "family." The hotel's Rakuten Travel rating is 4.36 (2,987 reviews). We summarize reviews rather than quoting them, and we describe facilities, rates, and co-sleeping rules using only the wording of the hotel's listing and official information. Reviews reflect how the hotel was run when they were posted, so read them knowing that some things may have changed since.
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- Is Karuizawa Prince Hotel West good for families? The verdict from reviews
- Main building, cottages, or East: what reviews say
- Rooms and bedding: co-sleeping and crib rules
- Meal reviews: the buffet and breakfast for kids under 6
- Hot spring and getting around: kids in diapers use the in-room bath
- Skiing and outdoor play, plus rules to check before booking
- Summary
- Frequently asked questions
Is Karuizawa Prince Hotel West good for families? The verdict from reviews
The answer: it suits families who want to start having fun as soon as they arrive by shinkansen (bullet train) or car, and families who want to ski in winter. On the other hand, families who want to relax in their room, or who plan to visit the hot spring many times, are more likely to be disappointed unless they choose their room location carefully.
3 things reviewers liked most
- You can walk to the station and the outlet mall. Many reviewers said they could get off the shinkansen, shop on the way to the hotel, and never worry about where to have lunch or dinner. The hotel listing puts Karuizawa Station about 560 m away in a straight line
- The buffet meals. Many reviewers mentioned the variety, including roast beef, prosciutto, and sushi. Reviews said picky eaters were happy and that kids loved the automatic pancake maker at breakfast
- How staff treated children. Reviewers mentioned staff seating them at a corner table at breakfast to make room for a stroller, coming right away to clean up a child's spilled drink, and a lost knit hat turning up at the front desk
3 most common complaints
- The property is large and walks are long. Long distances from the room to the hot spring, restaurants, and front desk came up especially often among reviews mentioning children
- Aging rooms and climate control. Several reviewers pointed to mold by the window, dry air in winter, and air conditioning that didn't cool between seasons
- Luggage and lockers. Complaints about having nowhere to leave bags before check-in and lockers filling up quickly were concentrated in ski season
The pros and the cons are two sides of the same thing, a huge property with everything on site, so your room location and the season you choose make the difference.
Who it suits, and who should compare other hotels
| Your family's situation | Fit based on reviews |
|---|---|
| Arriving by shinkansen, no car | High satisfaction from walking to the station and outlets |
| Skiing in winter with beginner kids | The gentle slope right by the hotel gets good reviews |
| Three generations or two families together | The cottages' space and multiple bathrooms get good reviews |
| Babies aged 0 to 1 | Nursing room and rentals are available, but expect long walks |
| Want many hot spring visits | Many say it's far from the rooms, so room location is key |
Main building, cottages, or East: what reviews say
The Prince hotels in Karuizawa offer quite different stays depending on whether you choose West's main building, West's cottages, or the neighboring East (Karuizawa Prince Hotel East). Lining up why reviewers chose each one and how they felt shows which family each suits.
Families who chose a main building twin
One family traveling with a 1-year-old wrote that they had stayed in a cottage before, but chose the main building this time because walking to the restaurants is cold in winter. Their verdict on the main building rooms: nothing special either way, but clean.
Within the main building, rooms in the Premium Wing are close to the hot spring building, and one review praised the view from the balcony. On the other hand, from a standard room the way to the hot spring passes the front desk, and one reviewer felt awkward walking by in loungewear at busy times. The more often your family plans to use the hot spring, the more it's worth choosing a room near the hot spring building.
Families who chose a cottage
Cottage reviews mostly praise the space and the number of bathrooms. In layouts like Type D, where the beds are split between rooms on the left and right, each with its own compact bathroom, one family said they could use both bathrooms at once and get ready faster, and called it perfect for kids. Another review said it was ideal for a lively stay with three generations or friends.
On the other hand, some said it became a hassle to leave the cottage, that they had to wait for the bus on the grounds, and that the bathroom drain was slow. One review also mentioned quite a few bugs in summer. According to the hotel's information, some cottages have no air conditioning, only fans, so if you're staying in summer with a baby, confirm the room's cooling when you book.
If you're deciding between West and East
A family who stayed at East the previous year and West this time offers a useful comparison. A plus for West is that it has a shop, and several other reviewers also said the convenience store on site saved them. On the other hand, they felt East had better play areas for kids, that West's long, spread-out layout made trips between the front desk and the slopes tiring, and that next time they might choose East.
If you want the shop, the hot spring building, and the cottages, go with West. If kids' play areas matter most, compare East as well. Please check East's rates and hot spring rules on its official site.
Rooms and bedding: co-sleeping and crib rules
Reviews of the rooms split between praise for cleanliness and comments that they're showing their age. For the bedding rules families care about, the hotel's own information is more reliable than reviews.
What reviewers said about room size and age
Some reviewers said rooms were clean and well kept, while several others felt they were a little dated, found mold by the window, or were bothered by mold in the bathroom. One reviewer liked that the sink was separate from the bathroom.
Winter reviews said there's no heater, only air conditioning, so rooms get very dry, and that the humidifier provided didn't help much. If you're staying in winter with a small child, plan for the dry air, for example by hanging up a wet towel. Several reviewers said the outdoor sandals in the room and the indoor sandals were comfortable and made walking to the hot spring easy.
What to know about co-sleeping and cribs
According to the hotel listing, the main building's West Twin Room is 24 m² and sleeps 1 to 3 guests, with a sofa bed for the third person. The official room page says the Deluxe Terrace Twin is 39 m² plus a 6 m² terrace, with two beds and two trundle beds for up to 4 guests.
Children under 6 stay free (no room charge), and a fee applies only if you add a bed. If you'd like to compare other hotels where co-sleeping (a child sharing a parent's bed) is free, see our list of hotels with free co-sleeping.
Cribs are limited, and they can't be lent for children who can pull up to stand. Bed guards are also limited and require an advance request. If your child is close to pulling up, tell the hotel after booking so it's easier to arrange a bed guard instead. Hotels that lend cribs are collected in our list of hotels with crib rentals.
Kids' loungewear and amenities
One reviewer complained that adult loungewear was provided but they were told to ask for kids' sizes themselves. According to the hotel listing, relaxation wear for children 100 cm and taller is available, along with a 3-piece kids' amenity set of toothbrush, hand towel, and slippers. If you need kids' loungewear, ask for it at check-in to avoid a mix-up. A baby bathtub and gentle baby soap and shampoo are also available.
Meal reviews: the buffet and breakfast for kids under 6
Meals are where reviews are most consistently positive. Among family reviews, what made the difference was how seating worked and whether they had a reservation.
How the buffet rates
For the dinner buffet, many reviewers mentioned roast beef, sushi, and prosciutto carved to order. They said they enjoyed lots of dishes without waiting, and that the selection wasn't overwhelming but everything was tasty. The breakfast buffet also has plenty of variety: reviews said picky kids were happy and children enjoyed the automatic pancake maker.
At a buffet, it's easy to step away if your child gets fussy, and kids can pick what they like, so it's less stressful than a set course with small children. One family reserved Karamatsu, the Japanese restaurant, and enjoyed a calm meal.
Seating and reservations
Several reviewers said it's better to reserve breakfast in advance. During holiday weekends it was very crowded, and one family was seated on the terrace. Another said it was a shame there were so few window seats. A family with two children under 3 noted they were seated at a corner table to make room for a stroller.
If your kids go to bed early, booking an early dinner slot helps you avoid a rush before bedtime.
Meals for young children, baby food, and allergies
According to the official information, breakfast is free for children under 6 from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027. At the buffet restaurant they get the breakfast buffet, and at other restaurants a dedicated menu. However, meals for young children are not included in plan rates and are paid at the hotel.
Some restaurants have kids' menus, and baby food costs extra. The nursing room has a microwave and a purified hot water dispenser for formula, so you can also warm up baby food you brought. The hotel says it can accommodate allergy-friendly meals but asks guests to confirm the details, so let them know early after booking.
Free breakfast is for a limited time and young children's meals are paid at the hotel, so think of your plan rate and what you'll pay on site separately.
Hot spring and getting around: kids in diapers use the in-room bath
The hot spring itself rates highly, and most complaints are about the distance from the rooms. Children in diapers can't use the large shared baths, so decide in advance how your family will bathe.
How the hot spring rates
Many reviewers said the hot spring building is spacious, clean, and rarely crowded, and that kids enjoyed it too. Reviews also said the outdoor bath, indoor bath, sauna, and shower area were all roomy, and that the autumn leaves seen through the sauna window were lovely. One reviewer was happy with how powerful the hair dryers were.
On the other hand, one reviewer mentioned children moving around the bath almost as if swimming, and having to be careful not to bump into them. How children behave in the baths is something other guests mention in their reviews too.
Reviews saying it's far from the rooms
The distance from the room to the hot spring is the most common complaint among reviews that mention children. Reviewers said it was hard with kids, that they got lost after bathing, and that if you're traveling with older relatives, a room near the hot spring is best.
Others added that the restaurants and front desk are also far and that the building is long and spread out. If you'll be going back and forth many times with small children, confirm when booking whether your room is near the hot spring building, which is the tip the reviews point to. Room location alone can change how you feel about the hot spring. One reviewer rented a bicycle to get to the hot spring and breakfast around the grounds and found it easy.
Rules for kids in diapers and age limits
The hotel listing says children in diapers may not use the baths. Plan for children in diapers to use the in-room bath; baby bathtubs are available to borrow. From age 7, boys use the men's bath and girls use the women's bath, and children up to age 6 may also use the bath for the opposite sex.
Fees differ too. The hot spring building is free for guests in main building twin rooms (plus a ¥150 bathing tax), but cottage guests pay ¥2,000 per visit for adults and ¥1,850 per visit for children (ages 3 to under 12). If you stay in a cottage and the whole family goes every day, it adds up, so include it in your budget.
Children in diapers can't use the baths in the hot spring building, so if your family wants to soak together, wait until your child is out of diapers or compare other hotels.
Skiing and outdoor play, plus rules to check before booking
How you enjoy West changes a lot with the season. Winter is all about skiing, while spring through fall centers on the forest play areas and the outlets.
Winter skiing and snow play
A family who skied with beginner kids said the slope right by the hotel was gentle and just right, and that it was handy to go back to the room and rest when the kids got tired. They also said the rental shop next door was friendly. According to the hotel listing, the ski area is a 2-minute walk away in winter.
On the other hand, storing luggage draws complaints. Before check-in, the only options are the front desk or paid coin lockers, and reviewers said the lockers fill up unless you get there first thing in the morning. One family paid for early check-in and used guest-only lockers. On ski days, sort out your luggage and locker plan when you book so you're not scrambling on the day. If you'd like to compare other ski areas, our guide to family-friendly ski resorts explains how to choose.
Outdoor play and the outlets from spring to fall
A family with two elementary school brothers who did activities in the Karupuri Forest (the resort's forest activity area) said the activity staff were used to children and the kids had a great time, and that early-morning cycling felt wonderful. They also said that on a first visit, places were hard to find even with a map, and they only got there after asking staff. Another review noted that cycling hadn't started yet in early April. If there's an activity you want to do, check its operating season first.
Activities available to guests include Nature Kids Mori no Ie, Amici Adventure Karuizawa, Karuizawa Asobi no Mori, and Zipline Adventure. Please check locations and operating seasons on the official site. A babysitting service is also available in the cottage area.
Facility and rule facts (from the hotel listing and official information)
| Item | From the hotel listing and official information |
|---|---|
| Rooms | Main building twin rooms (from 24 m²) and detached cottages (47.4 to 95 m², 4 to 8 guests) |
| Children's rates | Under 6: no room charge. Only extra beds cost extra |
| Meals | Breakfast free for children under 6 until March 31, 2027. Young children's meals paid on site; baby food costs extra |
| Hot spring | Free for main building twin guests (plus ¥150 bathing tax); paid for cottage guests. Children in diapers may not bathe |
| For babies | Nursing room (lobby), cribs, bed guards, baby bathtubs, stroller rentals |
| Access | Free shuttle bus from Karuizawa Station South Exit (8:00 to 21:00, about every 30 minutes) |
| Parking | 459 spaces, ¥1,000 per car per night |
Strollers are rented by registering as a member of the rental service and making a reservation. You can check the full list of facilities on our Karuizawa Prince Hotel West page.
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Summary
Based on the reviews, Karuizawa Prince Hotel West earns high satisfaction for its walkable location near the station and outlets, its buffet, and how staff treat children, while common complaints are the long walks on the property, aging rooms and dry winter air, and luggage storage on ski days. Children under 6 have no room charge and breakfast is free for a limited time, but children in diapers can't use the hot spring building. If you book, check whether your room is near the hot spring building, or confirm the cottage's air conditioning and hot spring fees.
Frequently asked questions
Can we stay with a baby under 1?
Yes. According to the hotel listing, children under 6 have no room charge, and the nursing room in the lobby has a changing table, a microwave, and a purified hot water dispenser for formula. Cribs are limited and can't be lent for children who can pull up to stand, so tell the hotel your baby's age and confirm when you book. Children in diapers can't use the hot spring building, so they bathe in the in-room bath.
East or West: which is better for families?
In reviews, West's pluses were the shop and on-site convenience store, the hot spring building, and the cottages, while reviewers said East had better play areas for kids. According to the hotel listing, West has no room charge for children under 6. Please check East's rate rules on its official site. If you want a cottage for three generations or want to use the hot spring building, West is the easier choice; if you want shorter walks, East may suit you better.
How do we get from the station in winter?
A free shuttle bus runs from Karuizawa Station South Exit from 8:00 to 21:00, about every 30 minutes. Many reviewers also said it was convenient to walk from the station, and some families walk through the outlet mall on the way. On snowy days or when you have a lot of luggage, the shuttle bus is the safer choice. Some reviewers also used the bus on the grounds and had to wait at busy times. Please check on the official site whether it's running.
How is it different from Karuizawa Asama Prince Hotel?
According to the hotel listing, Karuizawa Asama Prince Hotel is a smaller hotel with 30 rooms, all with balconies, and the hot spring building is about 1 minute away by monorail. It's about 12 minutes by car from the station, and parking is free for guests. Only the suites sleep 3 to 4 people in one room. If walking to the station and outlets matters most, choose West; if you'd rather have views of Mount Asama and a calmer, smaller hotel, Asama Prince is the easier pick.
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