Lotte Arai Resort Hotel offers a luxurious and easy stay at Arai Ski Resort. The original property was developed in the 80s but shut down after the recession. After it was purchased by a Korean chocolate company the hotel and ski resort was completely renovated and re-opened for the 2017/18 season.
The rooms are all spacious and have super comfortable western style beds, both king and doubles, and are simply styled bringing a nice peaceful vibe to the room. The bathrooms are all large by Japanese standards and all have a shower and toilet. Guests can choose from Superior and Deluxe rooms, both standard and family sized, which is perfect for those who need a bit more space. Suite rooms are also available, and are the ipitome of comfort and style, with spacious living areas, and boasting fantastic resort views.
Lotte Arai Resort Hotel boasts a wonderful choice of hot springs and onsen, from traditional outdoor pools where you can relax under the stars, or inside hot tubs and lap pool - it's hard to leave! Kids are kept well entertained off the slopes with an array of fun activities, including zip-lining, tubing, and a playground with rockclimbing walls, bouldering, and trampolining.
The hotel has four main restaurants to choose from including a buffet, steak, Korean and Japanese restaurants. These are on the pricier side, so it's best value to include dinner at the time of booking. There is a "pub" in the hotel serving wraps and a few snacks or there is a value caffeteria in the gondola building serving classic dishes such as Ramen and Katsu curry, however this closes early. There are no villages or restaurants nearby so the resort's restaurants are the only ones to choose from (unless you have a car and want to drive fro 30-40 minutes). There are a couple of bars in the hotel building though they are fairly quiet. Most westerners congregate in the pub or Cottage Lounge by the lobby for apres beers.
Access to the slopes couldn't be easier each morning from the hotel, with a simple stroll out the front to the main gondola terminal building, where the rentals, lift ticket, lessons, and retail are situated.
All-in-all, Lotte Arai Resort Hotel would be a great choice for those wanting a bit of luxury in their Japan ski vacation, with fantastic service and comfort of a full service hotel, stylish comfortable rooms, and easy access to the slopes.
