Shizukuishi ski resort itself is owned by the Prince Hotel group, so it only fitting that there is only one full-service hotel to choose from - the Shizukuishi Prince Hotel. In an unbeatable ski-in ski-out location, the hotel offers everything you need (and nothing you don't) for a simple, but comfortable, ski trip. Like many of the larger hotels in Japan, the Prince Hotel oozes with 80's charm, but lets face it, we kind of love this (and the quirkiness that often comes with heading off-the-beaten-path).
Shizukuishi Prince Hotel is smaller than the other more well-known Prince Hotels in Japanese Ski Resorts (like Naeba and Shiga Kogen), so one should not expect all the bells and whistles of a larger purpose built ski area. However, if you're looking for authentic Japanese hospitality (and to get away from the international scene), it is the perfect addition to a multi-resort trip. The hotel offers a variety of room options, some renovated and some non-renovated (those on the Superior floor are a little nicer and have been updated), and come in twin share (two single beds) or triple share (with an additional sleeper sofa bed). The Superior floor rooms boast lovely gold accents, crisp white bedding, and have an overall soothing mountain vibe - for the small difference in price, an upgrade to these rooms from the Standard rooms (the local indigo dye is featured heavily here) is highly recommended. One thing to note, the Superior rooms also come with a coffee machine (quite rare in Japan!).
The views from the rooms do vary depending on which side you are located on, however, as there are no other buildings surrounding the hotel, you're spoilt for choice between a lovely valley view (and of Mt Iwate) and views of the ski slopes.
The Shizukuishi Prince Hotel boasts a handful of restaurants to choose from. Their Prince Room offers standard Western/Japanese buffet fare, while the main dining room (Kobushi), treats guests to french fine dining (with a Japanese fusion). A must-visit when in Shizukuishi is the Takakura Onsen - a certified hot spring site and absolutely the best place to be after a fantastic day skiing. You could spend all afternoon soaking away just watching the carp in the nearby steam swim by.
The Prince Hotel offers all the standard facilities including free parking, high speed internet, coin laundry and on-site coffee shop for your morning pick-me-up.
There is only one full-service hotel in Shizukuishi ski resort so your choices are quite limited, however, the Shizukuishi Prince Hotel is a fantastic choice, particularly for skiers wanting a home base during a multi-resort roadtrip.
