Kyukaruizawa Kikyo, Curio Collection by Hilton Review: Twin Courtyard Suite in Karuizawa

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Kyukaruizawa Kikyo, Curio Collection by Hilton is a calm, stylish hotel about a 15-minute walk from Old Karuizawa Ginza Street. We loved the lobby, the excellent breakfast and the service, and our upgrade to a 56 sqm twin courtyard suite. The rooms show their age in places, and the indoor-only onsen gets noisy, but overall it was a memorable stay.

We stayed here on our first night in Japan in October 2019, on Day 1 of our 7-day Central Japan road trip. It's close enough to walk to the old town's shops and restaurants, yet peaceful. Read our Karuizawa itinerary.

Arrival and the Lobby

When we arrived, the outside of the hotel looked a bit dated, so I wasn't expecting much. But as soon as I walked into the lobby, I fell in love with the design: modern and cosy, the kind of place where you curl up with a book and do nothing else.

The staff greeted us and helped with check-in. Japanese service truly lives up to its name: it was fuss-free, and they even gave us a tour of the hotel. We were thrilled to find we'd been upgraded from a premium room to a twin courtyard suite thanks to our Hilton Honors Gold status! They also have pet-friendly rooms.

Twin Courtyard Suite

The 56 sqm suite is huge, split into three areas: living room, bedroom and bathroom. The living room has a long sofa, a Nespresso machine and a complimentary minibar. Small gestures go a long way!

Behind a partition, the bedroom is big, with two super single beds; it could fit four people without adding a rollaway bed. The mattresses were firm and the bedding very comfortable. After a long day of driving, we slept like babies!

The bathroom has separate wet and dry areas and is very spacious. We didn't use the bathtub, as we went to the onsen instead. The toiletries were well stocked, and they even provided body oil to relax with after the onsen.

Breakfast

Breakfast was amazing! To be honest, I'm not usually a fan of hotel breakfasts, unlike H, who loves building his own big breakfast. I normally stick to cereal, cheese and bread. But the breakfast here was so good that I went back for a few rounds. Quality over quantity! You can even ask for fruit to be cut and brought to your table.

Onsen and Facilities

The onsen facility itself is good, but the experience wasn't. There's no outdoor bath, and it's very popular with tourists, so it was spoilt for us by guests talking loudly and not following onsen etiquette.

Our Verdict

Even though the room felt a little dated, we loved the overall experience. From the food to the excellent service, our stay at Kyukaruizawa Kikyo, Curio Collection by Hilton was very memorable. For where to eat nearby, read our best eats in Old Karuizawa.

Tip: if you have Hilton Honors status, book directly or through a rate that earns points to be eligible for upgrades; otherwise, compare Kyukaruizawa Kikyo rates on Agoda and other Karuizawa hotels.

FAQ

Is Kyukaruizawa Kikyo walking distance to Old Karuizawa?

Yes, it's about a 15-minute walk to Old Karuizawa Ginza Street, so you can walk to the shops, Karuizawa French Bakery and Kawakamian while staying somewhere quiet.

Does Kyukaruizawa Kikyo have an onsen?

Yes, but the baths are indoor only, with no outdoor bath. It's popular with guests, so it can get busy and noisy at peak times.

Is the breakfast at Kyukaruizawa Kikyo good?

It was one of the highlights of our stay: quality over quantity, and you can even ask for fruit to be cut and brought to your table.

Is Kyukaruizawa Kikyo pet-friendly?

It has pet-friendly rooms, which is useful as Karuizawa is a popular getaway for Japanese families with dogs. Check availability when booking.