Zao Center Plaza

Zao Center Plaza is centrally located with a short walk from the Zao Onsen bus station. On exiting the station, turn right and walk along the main road for about 10 minutes and you will reach the hotel. The hotel is old and dated, but rooms are big with plenty of space for luggages and ski accessories. We were given a room on the third floor in an annex building connected by a walkway to the main building where the reception, breakfast room and onsens are located. Our room only has a toilet with a wash basin but as is in most cases, bathing facilities are really not needed as showering at the onsen is pretty much the norm. The hotel adopt a strictly 3pm check-in policy but luggages can be self stored in a common room near the reception should you be early. None of the staff speak any English so communication mostly will have to be a mixture of sign languages and reliance on a translation app. Reception is not visible from the front as it is on the first floor while on the ground floor, you will find a souvenir cum winter accessories shop and a yakitori outlet next to it. Opposite the hotel and across the road is a Lawson convenience store and a shop away, a ski rental manage by a friendly local that charges very competitive rates. There are also a few eateries along the same strip with a small ramen shop being one of our favourites. Wi-Fi was efficient and reliable. The hotel was not at full occupancy and as we were there on weekdays, we did not encounter much noise disturbance and slept well. Breakfast was a simple mixture of japanese and western offerings though not much in variety, but ample and sufficient to keep us going for a day on the mountains. The hotel is a ski-in ski-out with the Nakamori course next to it, while the Sanroku Ropeway that lead to the Jizosancho station at the top for the Snow Monsters area via the Juhyokogen station at mid-level is about a 10 minutes walk away. Both the indoor and especially the outdoor onsen are great for a soak and relaxation after a day's exertions on the mountains. A minor problem we had being in the annex building, it can get pretty cold and chilly especially in the morning when we have to make our way across the walkway to the main building for breakfast or to use the onsens. Zao Center Plaza is an ideal choice to set up base for its location and easy access to both the Nakamori run and Sanroku Ropeway, nearby food and groceries options and reasonably priced accommodation. Would look to stay again if we are back in Zao Onsen.