The Lotte Arai Resort Hotel provides delightfully deluxe accommodation at the base of the impressive Lotte Arai Ski Resort.
The Lotte Arai hotel consists of two adjacent buildings, The Arai and The Lodge. Both buildings offer deluxe western-style accommodations, and you can utilise the extensive facilities and services of both hotel “wings”.
The Lotte Arai Resort Hotel is rather unique for accommodation at a Japanese ski resort. The hotel wasn’t built during the bubble era. Instead it is modern and luxurious, and has all the elements that discerning skiers and snowboarders would seek.
Where is the Lotte Arai Resort Hotel?
Both hotel wings are located at the base of the
Arai Ski Resort. You can ski in to the hotel when the snow's good and it’s just a minute walk to get to the gondola building.
Lotte Arai Resort is located in the Niigata Prefecture of Honshu Japan, and just a little north of
Myoko Kogen. To get there from Narita Airport you can catch the train to Tokyo (or Ueno) and then the bullet train to Joetsumyoko train station. The latter takes about 110 minutes.
Lotte Arai Resort is 15km southeast of the Joetsumyoko train station, and from there you can get one of the free shuttles (or a taxi).
To get to Arai from Myoko Kogen, there’s a Myoko shuttle that does a couple of trips a day between Akakura Onsen and Arai Resort (the trip takes about 50 minutes).
Hotel Rooms
The hotel has a large range of room configurations to cater for up to 2 to 4 guests; all with incredibly comfortable western style beds and deluxe bedding.
The superior rooms have a decent amount of space for a hotel in Japan. Located in the Arai building, they offer modern Japanese décor with warm tones.
- Superior twin – 2 large single beds
- Superior double – one queen bed
- Superior family twin – one queen bed and one large single bed (for up to 3 guests)
- Superior triple – 3 large single beds (for up to 3 guests)
- Superior family triple – one queen bed & 2 large single beds (for up to 4 guests)
The deluxe rooms are a little larger than the superior rooms, and are housed in The Lodge building. The Lodge has wooden floor boards and other wooden features, and it’s reminiscent of modern and glamorous North American lodge style accommodations with hints of Japanese décor.
- Deluxe double – double bed (up to 2 guests)
- Deluxe twin – 2 large single beds (up to 2 guests)
- Deluxe family twin – 1 queen bed and 1 large single bed (up to 3 guests)
- Deluxe double twin – 2 queen beds (up to 4 guests)
- Deluxe quadruple – 4 large single beds (up to 4 guests)
All rooms feature a small sitting area and views of Mt. Okenashi and the surrounding nature. In-room amenities include a TV, telephone, WiFi, kettle, tea set, mini refrigerator, hair dryer, iron (rental), humidifier, safe, bathrobes, yukatas, slippers and provision of toiletries.
There are some inter-connecting rooms, whereby the 2 rooms can accommodate up to 6 guests.
The hotel also has a range of suites with extensive space overall and large sitting areas, catering for up to 4 guests.
Services and Facilities
The Lotte Arai Resort Hotel has a very good range of upscale facilities and amenities:
- Indoor and outdoor onsen baths
- Saunas
- Indoor swimming pool for an additional charge
- Small gymnasium
- Day spa with massage and other treatments
- Various communal spaces to relax or socialise, including a library with amazing picture books
- Souvenir shop
- Ski and snowboard retail shop
- Ski and snowboard lockers
- Karaoke bar (additional fee)
- Child care (2 years+)
- Wifi throughout
In the gondola building are further facilities and services:
- Ski and snowboard rental shop
- Food court
- International snowsports school
- Trampolines
- Indoor bouldering
Hotel Dining and Bars
The hotel offers several dining and drinking options for breakfast, lunch and dinner, ranging from simple fare to buffet meals, to exquisitely prepared cuisine for the discerning palate.
- The Plate - western-style cuisine with buffet for breakfast including a dedicated chef to prepare freshly made eggs and omelettes. Set menu for lunch and buffet dinner.
- Japanese Restaurant Asahi – exceptional Japanese cuisine – open for breakfast & dinner that’s usually buffet style or you can reserve a special kaiseki dinner. Set menu for lunch. The restaurant has various private rooms.
- Cottage Lounge – café lounge serving a small selection of food, coffee, and a small range of alcoholic beverages
- Bar Ruri – glamorous lounge bar offering great views up the hill for night skiing and a large option of beverages
- Bakery – nice option for a simple breakfast
- Library café – get a coffee and chill out
- Jongno – Korean restaurant specialising in Korean Fried Chicken
- BECO – restaurant specialising in steak along with a la carte seafood and pasta.
- Sports Bar – tucked away in the club building. The bar has a few TVs that may be playing the sumo or tennis. It serves some very simple meals and snacks that you could have for dinner if you wanted to save some yen.