Hotel Yudanaka — Hotel in Yamanouchi

We chose this hotel because it was relatively inexpensive and well located for visiting monkeys and the mountains.|While we weren't expecting it to have the buzz of full ski-season, the hotel did feel fairly deserted. Not sure how many visitors (or indeed gaijin visitors) they had, but all staff seemed to know who we were!|We stayed three nights in a Japanese style family room. It was fine, but everything felt a little on the worn side. The tatami matting, the futon, the carpets, the towels.|Having to take shoes off at the hotel entrance was fine, but the slippers were plastic and tiny for our big western feet, so we avoided those where we couldget away with it. Also had a pair of trainers taken from the rack. Probably taken by mistake, because we complained and they were back a couple of hours later when we returned, with a pack of cakes as an apology!|The staff were lovely and friendly, very helpful. The shuttle bus to the monkey park was actually the duty receptionist who drive us in an MPV!|On our first arrival, we followed a map which took us to the back door. When we went into the hotel from there, it felt a bit like a hospital entrance!|The kitchen in the room consisted of a sink, fridge and single ring hob. No cutlery or equipment so pretty much useless as a kitchen - a kettle, cups and glasses were all that was provided.|I refer to "The Shining" because it had that 70's closed hotel feeling. We used the stairway once and it added to the feeling! A little eerie to be in a hotel where the furniture is covered in dustcloths!|It was fine, and the view of the mountains was nice, and I'm sure more lively in winter, but I possibly...

We chose this hotel because it was relatively inexpensive and well located for visiting monkeys and the mountains.|While we weren't expecting it to have the buzz of full ski-season, the hotel did feel fairly deserted. Not sure how many visitors (or indeed gaijin visitors) they had, but all staff seemed to know who we were!|We stayed three nights in a Japanese style family room. It was fine, but everything felt a little on the worn side. The tatami matting, the futon, the carpets, the towels.|Having to take shoes off at the hotel entrance was fine, but the slippers were plastic and tiny for our big western feet, so we avoided those where we couldget away with it. Also had a pair of trainers taken from the rack. Probably taken by mistake, because we complained and they were back a couple of hours later when we returned, with a pack of cakes as an apology!|The staff were lovely and friendly, very helpful. The shuttle bus to the monkey park was actually the duty receptionist who drive us in an MPV!|On our first arrival, we followed a map which took us to the back door. When we went into the hotel from there, it felt a bit like a hospital entrance!|The kitchen in the room consisted of a sink, fridge and single ring hob. No cutlery or equipment so pretty much useless as a kitchen - a kettle, cups and glasses were all that was provided.|I refer to "The Shining" because it had that 70's closed hotel feeling. We used the stairway once and it added to the feeling! A little eerie to be in a hotel where the furniture is covered in dustcloths!|It was fine, and the view of the mountains was nice, and I'm sure more lively in winter, but I possibly...

All photos and advertisement from Agoda are FAKE- no where near the reality. Beware that Agoda tricked with the photos of outside appearance- adjacent building does not belong to this hotel- carefully look the short small old build- that is it. First stepped in- very old and stuffy smell with greeting from front desk staff who immediately asked for resort fees to be paid per person per night (in cash)- which we found that is not a resort at all- just the onsen to provide locals/neighbourhood without basic bathroom in their own houses- so they come here daily to use the onsen and tick names off the account ( to be settled with the hotel later/weekly/monthly). The tourists have to help to contribute this fee for the locals..???? Worse than that- AGODA did not mention that NO PRIVATE BATH ROOM/ NO SHOWER FACILITY in the room- AGODA deliberately hide this information so when found out - the teenage daughters refused to join the local women ( mainly lovely Japanese elderlies) for onsen bath. After long negotiation they ( concierge and the owner) then reluctantly switched us to another room with private bathroom.||Beware to book with AGODA- lesson to learn for future booking- watch out this site.||The only good thing is free ONE WAY shuttle to drop hotel guests off the entrance to the Snow Monkeys Park- but then a long way of 30-45 minutes to walk back. Breakfast is just suitable for older generation of Asian guests otherwise look somewhere else ( Lawson near station, 7...