The saying “Don’t Judge a Book by its Cover” could apply to Hotel Lucent… like so many Japanese ski resort hotels it looks like a 1980s, dated hotel from the outside and has a rather unimpressive lobby area. But the rooms have been recently renovated and they are fabulous! It also has the best location in the area just across the road from the Nakamori slopes and the Zaochuo ropeway.
Hotel Lucent has 60 rooms ranging from Japanese style rooms to “State” rooms. Most of the rooms are very lovely and well maintained. Scout’s favorite is the club room which has twin beds on a platform and a Japanese sitting area. All the rooms have capsule bathrooms and showers, and are equipped with modern amenities such as TV with Japanese satellite channels, fridge, telephone and daily supply of toiletries.
Hotel Lucent has great onsen facilities including indoor, outdoor and private. Like all hotels in the Zao Onsen area, these are natural onsens which means that the water is sourced directly from the hot springs that abound the area.
Along with a Karaoke room, the hotel has numerous facilities such as a ski rental shop, huge ski storage and locker room, a drying room, vending machines and a massage room. Like the hotel’s exterior lobby, the hotel’s dining room is yet to undergo renovations.
One thing is for sure, and that is that nothing can beat its location across the road from Zao Onsen Ski Resort!
