Ana Crowne Plaza Resort Appi Kogen By Ihg

The hotel offers a memorable experience, primarily distinguished by its direct ski-in/ski-out access to the adjacent ski resort, making it an ideal destination for skiers and winter sports enthusiasts. Its location amidst vast natural surroundings also appeals to nature lovers and couples seeking a refreshing escape. Many guests, especially families, appreciate the spacious accommodations. While the hotel provides a comfortable base for enjoying the outdoors, reviews indicate a mixed experience regarding the property's age and the consistency of staff service. To enhance your stay, it is advisable to inquire about recently renovated rooms and to clarify any specific service expectations upon arrival, as some aspects of the hotel are undergoing a transition.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel offers various facilities, with the hot springs being a notable highlight for many guests, featuring both indoor bath and outdoor bath options for relaxation. Some premium rooms also boast access to a private hot spring. An indoor pool is available, though some guests expressed disappointment about an additional charge for its use. While Wi-Fi is provided, a few visitors noted that the signal could be weak or the connection slow. For guests with IHG membership, there were mixed experiences regarding the recognition of benefits, with some receiving room upgrades, while others reported issues with the accrual of IHG membership points or Green Stay points, indicating a need for clearer communication on loyalty program benefits.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests generally found the spacious rooms, particularly the premium and suite categories, to be comfortable and well-suited for families. However, feedback on cleanliness and room condition was varied. While some renovated rooms were praised for being clean and modern, a significant number of reviews highlighted the presence of dated furniture, including sofas with torn fabric and old mattresses with broken springs, in unrenovated rooms. Specific cleanliness issues were also reported, such as a dirty bathtub and uncleaned items left under furniture, suggesting inconsistencies in housekeeping standards. Additionally, some guests experienced discomfort due to the air conditioning not functioning effectively, leading to rooms being too warm.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel's buffet for both breakfast and dinner received mixed reviews from guests. Many praised the variety and overall food quality, highlighting popular options such as snow crab legs and local beef, describing the meals as delicious and extensive. Conversely, some guests found the buffet offerings to be of lower quality, likening them to a school cafeteria, and expressed concerns about the limited and expensive nature of other restaurant choices within the hotel. One guest specifically noted an unexpected extra charge for sushi at the buffet, which was not clearly communicated, and issues were also reported with applying discounts to room service.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's most significant advantage is its prime ski-in/ski-out location, providing direct and convenient access to the adjacent ski resort and its highly-regarded ski slopes, known for their excellent powder snow. This makes it an ideal base for winter sports. Beyond skiing, guests appreciated the hotel's setting amidst beautiful natural surroundings, including vast green landscapes in warmer seasons and stunning snowscapes in winter, offering a refreshing and scenic environment. For transportation, a bus service is available from Morioka station, connecting guests to the hotel, though the journey typically takes about an hour. While parking is provided, one guest reported difficulties with their car being buried in snow, suggesting a need for better winter vehicle support.

Staff & Service
Guest experiences with the hotel staff and overall service levels were notably mixed. Some guests commended the friendly staff and their helpful demeanor, particularly during check-in and when assisting with room upgrades. However, a significant number of reviews reported instances of unhelpful or rushed interactions, a perceived lack of smiles, and poor information provision, especially regarding hotel services and ski resort details. Guests also encountered difficulties with staff not fully understanding Japanese, issues with applying discount offers at restaurants and for room service, and a lack of car support for vehicles buried in snow. Some also noted a general absence of staff presence at the car drop-off area upon arrival.

Additional Information
Guests frequently reported issues concerning IHG membership points and Green Stay points, with many expressing frustration over not receiving expected accruals or clear explanations for why points were not awarded, despite being members. This led to a feeling that membership benefits were not fully recognized or honored, with some guests feeling they had to actively pursue their points or that the process was not seamless. Another recurring point of inconvenience was the room key policy, where guests found it restrictive to be initially provided with only two keys for rooms accommodating multiple adults. This caused practical difficulties for groups with differing schedules, as guests had to persistently request additional keys, which were sometimes granted reluctantly. These administrative and policy-related issues occasionally detracted from an otherwise pleasant stay, highlighting areas where hotel procedures could be more guest-centric.