Hotel Dengan spa di Nagano Prefecture, Japan

The hotel's public areas are lovely, and while breakfast isn't extensive, there's enough to fill you up with good choices. The hot springs area is also great, with complete facilities and amenities. The only downside was the room. When we stayed, there was a constant, strange noise from some equipment – I'm not sure if it was the air conditioning, exhaust fan, or something else. We didn't bother changing rooms to avoid hassle. Also, it was incredibly dry in the room during winter, and even though there was a humidifier, it was very noisy when turned on. 😂 Perhaps a summer visit would be more comfortable.

The facilities are a bit old, and you have to wait for a shuttle to get to your room. The environment is nice, but getting around outside the hotel on your own can be a bit of a hassle. You can exchange room cleaning for a visit to the hot springs, which have been recently renovated and are quite pleasant. There's a shuttle service to both the outlet mall and the JR station. Just a heads up, if you're catching an early JR train, leave plenty of time as the shuttle takes a circuitous route, and you might miss a connection...

We spent 2 nights in Prince after first 2 nights in Kusatsu onsen town. The hotel looked underwhelming on arrival and the front office service was efficient but cursory compared to the warm hospitality we had in the ryokan stay. It was low season and hotel was very quiet and had a ”cold” atmosphere. I was further disappointed when we were shown our room which was on the lowest floor with a simple garden view. On requesting the check-in staff for a change of room on higher floor and a more scenic view, I was told there is an upgrade charge, which I accepted. The new room was the same size and configuration but on a higher floor with a nice view of Mt Asama. While I was happy to pay the fee, I can't help but compare their practice with all the hotels that I have stayed in all these years, where room changes were complimentary so long as the room type remains the same. Nevertheless, the hotel's facilities delighted me immensely and I enjoyed the overall experience. The highlight of the hotel stay was the fantastic view of Asama in a high ceiling dining room with full glass window. We were able to have different table seatings for both morning breakfast as the hotel occupancy was low, which gave us different perspectives of the scenery. The other highlight of the hotel is the onsen facility which is located in a separate building on higher ground, accessible via a self service automated tram. Aside from Asama view in the outdoor onsens, there is a common lounge which has equally awesome view of Asama. We enjoyed our time soaking in onsen and resting in the lounge. Was I would go back to Prince Asama and experience the scenery during a different season!

What an awesome experience! The hotel offered exemplary service before we even arrived. Due to special travel arrangements, we arrived late and the staff quick to arrange an in-room bento dinner for us before our arrival. When we got there, we were immediately blown away by the gorgeousness of the hotel. Despite its age, everything was very clean and polished. I can see that great care had been taken to upkeep the hotel and it’s premises, which are extraordinarily beautiful. We couldn’t resist taking pictures even after check-out, and it took us an hour to finally reluctantly leave. Words cannot actually do the place justice, you must visit there yourself. We were very impressed with how delicious the food was, and the attention to detail, including the placement of the food, the coordination of food color. My mouth is still watering as I recall how delicious it was. I had 10 helpings of their prime rib one day. Besides, I had a dietary restriction and the staff were really careful with that, to the extent of reminding me what dishes not to eat everyday at their breakfast and dinner buffet. In addition to excellent food and service, the hotel went out of its way to be very eco-friendly. For every day that we did not need our room to be tidied, we earned points, which can be traded in for ice cream or other goodies. Finally, the staff spoke perfect English. This is rare indeed, and it made everything so much easier and so much more enjoyable. Thanks for the experience!

Location - requires abit of walking from the train station, it is not the worst compared to other Onyado/Dormy Inns and was manageable for us. (The worst in my opinion, is the one at Sendai. The one in Kanazawa would require a taxi/bus ride from main JR station.) Reception staff - service attitude differs. In general, they do try their best. Some elude warmth and it reminds me of how Japan was before it was crowded with tourists. 1 or 2 individual younger staff look at tourists and our bags with an expression that seems like a combination of exasperation and derision, and that made me feel uncomfortable. Different Onyado(s) has different rules, this one does not require us to pass locker keys to the front desk which is great. All Onyado(s) tend to have this odd layout in the rooms whereby the TV is NOT aligned with our beds. We ended up not using the TV! I appreciate how this Onyado took note of my request for more pillows and they were ready in the room when I got there. (See picture - pillows in black bags.) The extra pillows are extremely essential because Onyado/Dormy Inn pillows tend to be extremely flat & provides little/no support. Breakfast spread was a little disappointing - there was very little fresh seafood (e.g. no mentaiko). Beef was too overcooked and the drink machine ran out of oolong tea the night before and was still not replenished at breakfast. Across the different Onyado(s)/Dormy Inns I have stayed at, breakfast at this one can be skipped.

Had a really pleasant stay overall. The place was very clean and well-maintained, and the location was convenient for getting around. Service was excellent 👍 staff were friendly and helpful throughout our stay. Amenities were also complete and comfortable. Would definitely recommend for couples looking for a smooth and enjoyable stay.

I stayed in a twin room on September 1, 2025. It was very busy with tourists, and the front desk was congested. The food buffet was more about quantity than quality, so I ended up overeating. I could hear the movement of guests on the floor above me and the sound of water leaking from the drain pipes. Water was leaking from the floor of the unit bathroom. The toilet was child-sized, and the hot water was a little hot, but I would definitely stay here again.

This is the first time I stayed at a Hoshino resort. Perhaps my expectations were too high.  Food quality was the best reason to stay here. The restaurant offers an elaborate menu. The onsen is the next big feature of the hotel. It was not as big as seen in the advertisement. Perhaps wide angle was used. Location was not great. Not much to do nearby. The free transfers to Omachi helped to kill time if you have no plan to ski at Hakuba.  Service was patchy. Below are two examples: 1) Asked reception about train tickets conditions in general but the response was we are not train company. We know that but would appreciate help in calling into the train company or checking their website in Japanese. 2) Over a supposedly fancy dinner, the server was rushing us to finish by asking us to move unfinished food items from one plate or another by ourselves to make space for the next dish. I would have expected the server to wait for us. On another occasion, the server left the next dish on the table, with lid closed, without explaining what it is. We were not sure if we should start eating or wait. The server came back in a few minutes realizing that she had not explained to us yet and apologized.  With better service and things to do nearby, the hotel will see happier customers.

Wow! An amazing little Ryoukan in a lovely town with fantastic owners. This ryoukan is a traditional old fashioned style with a lovely private onsen in pictures The room was large and your right on top of one of the 9 onsens. As a ryoukan in the town you will have access to the 9 healing onsens which you can use at your leisure and complete the denyouko towel for blessings The onsen is run by a lovely lady who is really friendly. Typical Amenities included plus free yukata and geta to borrow whilst your walking between hot springs plus free cold milk which is just heavenly after a hot soak. Honestly the cold milk really made my day!! 🥰 Air conditioning was very effective considering the size of the room and the breakfast was too much to finish and offered a taste of everything Lastly you are on top of the onsens as soon as you step out and monkey park is a 25 minute walk north but talk with the Owner, she has a link to the Monkey security cameras so can tell you ahead of time if theres any up there to see currently (i went during Estrus season so no monkeys for me) When it came to checkout the lady gave me a small bento of Onigiri and Pastries and even drove me down to the local station 10/10 would stay again

Our staying here was a pure pleasure! And I must say, it exceeded all our expectations! From the moment we arrived, the staff was incredibly welcoming and attentive, making the check-in process smooth and hassle-free. The room was spacious, clean, and beautifully decorated, providing a perfect retreat after a long day of exploring. The location of the hotel is fantastic, sarrounded by montains and river. The free shuttle from Chino Station makes getting here quite easy. Enjoying the onsen was a delightful experience, offering pleasure for all your senses: the hot spring water, the sounds of nature, the beautiful scenery. The traditional kaiseki dinner was exceptional! Each dish was thoughtfully prepared, showcasing fresh, local ingredients. The flavors were rich and well-balanced, with a perfect blend of spices. The atmosphere was cozy and inviting, making the dining experience even more enjoyable. Overall, it was a delightful culinary experience that complemented the serene surroundings perfectly! I highly recommend this hotel for anyone looking to escape and rejuvenate in nature, have a comfortable and pleasant holiday away from the noisy and crowded big city. I can't wait to return during other season! Thank you!