The Ritz-Carlton Nikko

This was our first time staying at a Ritz Carlton, so we were super excited, but unfortunately this hotel didn't meet our expectations. Though the property is stunning, the staff are kind, and the food is gorgeous, the biggest flaw is that you are unable to change the temperature in your room and it is stuck at 24 degrees. I'm pregnant and my husband runs hot, and we prefer to sleep in 18-19 degree temperatures, so the warm air in the room made it impossible to sleep. When we called the staff to ask if there was anything they could do, they suggested that we sleep with ice packs in our bed or open the balcony door. I obviously didn't want to sleep with ice in my bed, so we had to sleep with the balcony door wide open the whole night. It was winter, so this helped cool the room down but the wind was so loud so it made it really hard to sleep. Then as soon as the sun rose, the room was filled with light and we couldn't get back to sleep. I think we each slept maybe 2-3 hours the whole night. We were supposed to stay two nights but unfortunately we had to change hotels after one night due to the temperature issue. It's definitely unfortunate to pay $1,000 a night for a hotel and then be unable to sleep. A few other things to note: - The gym is also really hot, which made working out uncomfortable. The gym is also in the same building as the onsen, and the onsen has a very strong sulfur smell, so the whole gym smelt like rotten eggs. - There are two restaurants on the property but they start at 22,000+ per person for dinner (without drinks). I wish they had some other options. We ended up getting room service instead. We did like the breakfast in our room, the aesthetics of the hotel, and the service from the staff, but if you also like to sleep in cooler temps, I wouldn't recommend this hotel.

The room offered a stunning view, and the scenery from the in-room bath was absolutely beautiful. Soaking in the tub while enjoying the view was incredibly relaxing and peaceful. The onsen facilities were very comfortable. In addition to the indoor and outdoor baths, the public bath area also includes a cold plunge and sauna. The only downside was that the outdoor onsen did not have any scenic views to enjoy. The service was attentive and refined, living up to the standards expected from The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko. However, the biggest disappointment was the dinner restaurant. The food was quite average considering the high price, and the seating arrangement was also confusing. Although there were many empty tables available, we were seated by the window during the early evening when the sunlight was so strong that it was difficult to look outside, and there were no curtains or blinds available to block the glare. One great convenience is that the hotel currently provides complimentary shuttle services between Tobu Nikko Station and JR Nikko Station, which is extremely helpful for travelers without a car, especially those carrying large luggage. We forgot to make a reservation in advance, but the hotel responded quickly through the app and helped us arrange both the pick-up and return shuttle smoothly. I sincerely hope they continue offering this thoughtful service. Overall, it was a relaxing stay with beautiful surroundings and excellent service, with only the dining experience falling short of expectations.

The hotel is beautiful, surrounded by stunning nature, and the views are absolutely breathtaking. The rooms were spacious, comfortable, and thoughtfully designed. What really made our stay special was the exceptional service. Every staff member was warm, friendly, and genuinely attentive, making us feel welcome from the moment we arrived. The food was also excellent, with delicious meals and a wonderful breakfast.