NASPA New Otani

Amazing location, within walking distance (or free hotel shuttle bus) from Echigo-Yuzawa station, providing excellent access by bullet train to/from Tokyo (1.5hrs) and 40mins to Niigata city (covered by JR Pass on the Joetsu Skinkansen line). NASPA New Otani resort is self-contained, so we simply checked-in and had everything we wanted at our disposal - rental shop for all our ski equipment, skiing (there is no snowboarding at this ski resort, but you can snowboard at other resorts nearby), exceptional buffet banquet breakfasts and dinners included in our room price (deliciously fresh Western and Japanese cuisine); a large, clean and comfortable family room; onsite public and private onsen facilities (extra cost of approx. 3200yen/hour for the private onsen, very worth it for the added comfort and space); indoor heated swimming pool; gift shop and ski/snowboard gear shops; a currency exchange machine accepting several international currencies; and lovely, friendly, helpful staff. We were a family of three (myself and my two children aged 11 and 13), from Australia, and loved that most other guests were Japanese. NASPA New Otani provides various ski lessons, including children's lessons, but we had pre-arranged to meet an English-speaking instructor from an external company (Snow Country Instructors) which worked well for us. This was our first skiing experience, and it was such a delight, we hope to return next ski season.

When it is bad weather, you have everything you need. They rotate food items at meals so you don’t get bored too. Lots of activities for kids it seemed. Also have a ski locker during your stay and in my case the booking came with a lift ticket—something booking.com didn’t say. It’s a ski only resort so snowboarders be aware you maybe paying for a lift ticket you won’t be able to use unless you try skiing!

The view from my room was breathtaking, room very spacious and elegant, even though a bit old interior.

Everything was exceptionally good - room, staff, cleanliness, view, value for money. One the best hotels ever, except for one thing.

We stayed at the NASPA New Otani Hotel to go to the nearby Kagura Tashiro Ski Resort for our last skiing trip of the season and we were extremely pleased with the hotel. The room was spacious and spotless clean. The beds, pillows and comforters were super comfortable, the shower was amazing (rare in Japan, since they don't really have a shower, just the hand held piece, but never a real, over head shower) and the Wifi worked without any issues (I had to take work/business video meetings in one of the evenings we were there, so I took my Macbook with me and my meetings worked perfectly. The breakfast was excellent too. We look forward to visiting during next season when the NASPA ski resort is open. The highlight of our stay was Pingu, the hotel's character/mascot! So, so cute!! He can be seen everywhere in the hotel and I was so happy to purchase a Pingu megurumi (stuffed animal) in the hotel's souvenir shop! Really, really recommend the hotel for all skiing trips in the area!!