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  5. Reviews of Madarao Elm Pension

Reviews of Madarao Elm Pension This rating is a reflection of how the property compares to the industry standard when it comes to price, facilities and services available. It's based on a self-evaluation by the property. Use this rating to help choose your stay!

389-2257 Nagano, Iiyama, Madarao Kogen, Japan

#7 of 12 B&Bs and inns in Iiyama

Guests' Choice

Review Score

Based on 24 hotel reviews

8.6

Score breakdown

  • Cleanliness

    8.4

  • Comfort

    8.7

  • Location

    8.2

  • Facilities

    8.0

  • Staff

    9.8

  • Value for money

    8.8

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Showing 1 - 24

  • Reviewed: March 25, 2024

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Twin Room with Extra Bed and Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 7 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Toshi was an exceptional host. Food was great with an easy walk to the ski lifts. Highly recommend……

    Stayed in February 2024

  • Reviewed: March 10, 2024

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Twin Room with Extra Bed and Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 6 nights

    Excellent meals and host. Toshi-san has done an incredible job managing the guesthouse by himself. He drove me to the slopes every morning, and shared fresh local produce with me during meals. Toshi specially prepared some wasabi and Japanese rice for me to bring back home when he found out that I really liked them! Also found out during the stay that Toshi went to the same university as I did nearly 50 years ago, so we had a good time sharing our experiences. Toshi is one of the most experienced pension-owners in Madarao and is extremely knowledgeable about the community. Will definitely be back next year for my snowboarding season!

    Stayed in March 2024

  • Reviewed: February 23, 2024

    10
    Really kind, friendly Pension - communal atmosphere- comfortable
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Twin Room with Extra Bed and Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 5 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Distance from the centre of Madarao Kogen but this is reflected in the lower price of the property.

    Very friendly, family run pension. The staff are extremely friendly and inviting. It is very comfortable and the dinners and breakfasts are delicious, home-made Japanese dishes. Warm and good wifi. Excellent shared bathroom facilities plus a bathing area.

    Stayed in February 2024

  • Reviewed: February 20, 2024

    9.0
    A nice old fashioned pension
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Twin Room with Extra Bed and Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Was a bit of a walk from the lifts and bars/restaurants but the owners gave you a lift to the mountain each day, so not a massive issue.

    Very relaxed location, staff were welcoming and helpful. Room was basic but would be excellent value for 2-3 people. Good meals.

    Stayed in February 2024

  • Reviewed: February 20, 2024

    8.0
    Nice hosts, slightly old facilities.
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Twin Room with Extra Bed and Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The facilities are a bit dated and dusty. I wouldn’t have had an issue, but “mountain prices” are ridiculous this year: the basic room with shared toilet and baths was more expensive than a nice hotel room in central Osaka…

    Maybe we were lucky to share the pension with respectful guests, or maybe the rooms had better insulation than most places, but it was really quiet. The beds were old but comfortable and the hosts were very helpful. Breakfast and dinner were good, too!

    Stayed in February 2024

  • Reviewed: February 20, 2024

    9.0
    Had a great stay
    • Leisure trip
    • Travelers with friends
    • Twin Room with Extra Bed and Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 9 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Location to ski hill was some distance away

    Host & staff were outstanding

    Stayed in February 2024

  • Reviewed: February 6, 2024

    10
    Will definitely stay here again
    • Leisure trip
    • Group
    • Twin Room with Extra Bed and Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Wonderful host. Great food

    Stayed in February 2024

  • Reviewed: January 29, 2024

    8.0
    A great experience. Thanks!
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Twin Room with Extra Bed and Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Not much

    Owner and team are awesome. Thanks Toshi San and Takahasi San.

    Stayed in January 2024

  • Reviewed: January 19, 2024

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Group
    • Twin Room with Extra Bed and Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The host was so friendly and accommodating

    Stayed in January 2024

  • Reviewed: January 18, 2024

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Twin Room with Extra Bed and Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    A very lovely place to stay. The owner Toshi is a wonderful host. He picked us up from the bus stop, prepared an excellent dinner and breakfast. The beds were very comfortable and the shower/onsen was amazing!

    Stayed in January 2024

  • Reviewed: January 10, 2024

    10
    Toshi gave us a fantastic Japanese experience
    • Leisure trip
    • Group
    • Twin Room with Extra Bed and Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The property had everything but if one thing could be improved by the inclusion of a drying room for Skiers otherwise it was fantastic 😎

    Warm and friendly atmosphere and a host that couldn’t do enough for us

    Stayed in January 2024

  • Reviewed: January 5, 2024

    10
    A perfect plafe for your ski trip at Madarao ski resort
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Twin Room with Extra Bed and Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    None

    The first and foremost is the service and hospitality provided by the owner (Toshi san) and his staff. Although this has been mentioned in all the reviews, I just want to add a bit personal experience. On the day before our checkin, Toshi san’s wife had a fall and was hospitalised. Toshi san spent the whole night at the hospital after her surgery. Yet he still came in and helped us check in. We only found out this after he checked us in. Also I left my reading glasses in the room after checked out. We were in the hurry to go to Liyama station since all Shinkansen were cancelled due to the earthquake the day before. Toshi san found my glasses and then mailed to my address in Tokyo next day. Toshi san and the staff will help at their best of you ask. They make you feel you are staying a home from home! Also the food (breakfast and dinner) here is delicious. The information on booking.com was incorrect. They offer breakfast and dinner. They also serve different meals each day (Western or Japanese).

    Stayed in January 2024

  • Reviewed: February 8, 2023

    10
    great stay amazing hosts
    • Leisure trip
    • Group
    • Twin Room with Extra Bed and Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 1 night

    already reviewed.

    already reviewed.

    Stayed in February 2023

  • Reviewed: February 8, 2023

    10
    great stay with homely vibes
    • Leisure trip
    • Group
    • Twin Room with Extra Bed and Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 1 night

    needs a car to enjoy to its fullest, but the whole resort is built this way.

    amazing hosts, great diner and brekkie. special deals on rental and lift tickets. Highly recommended

    Stayed in February 2023

  • Reviewed: February 3, 2023

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Twin Room with Extra Bed and Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The owners Toshi and Yoshi were wonderful hosts and Yoshi cooked some of the best Japanese food that I have had on this mountain. They offer transfers to/from the ski fields each day which was much appreciated. Staying at the Madarao Elm is a great option for those who are looking for an authentic experience.

    Stayed in January 2023

  • Reviewed: January 11, 2023

    10
    Absouletely amazing in every single way
    • Leisure trip
    • Group
    • Twin Room with Extra Bed and Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 10 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Toshi and Yoshi were an absolute pleasure to stay with. There accommodation and amenities were clean and homely. They were very accommodating providing us with breakfast each morning before driving us up the mountain to snowboard. There hospitality was second to none and I could not recommend any accommodation more. If you are looking to stay in Madarao, look no further then Madarao Elm Pension. Both hosts speak great English and provide many insights into the history of Madarao and surrounding towns while always providing 10/10 service. We are hoping to re-visit Madarao and will look no further then Yoshi and Toshi’s place. Thankyou again to Yoshi and Toshi. You made our trip much more memorable!!! We hope to see you again soon!

    Stayed in January 2023

  • Reviewed: January 10, 2023

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Twin Room with Extra Bed and Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 5 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The hosts are phenomenal people. Unfortunately, I was sick one day (the worst for a solo traveler) and they made sure I was ok and looked after me. I couldn’t find the place on the map, Toshi told me to call him and he will pick me up. Truly wonderful people.

    Stayed in January 2023

  • Reviewed: March 27, 2024

    1.0
    I got my key and saw my room and the bathroom area and left, and booked somewhere else
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Twin Room with Extra Bed and Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 2 nights

    nothing

    Stayed in February 2024

  • Reviewed: February 16, 2024

    5.0
    Nice staff but disappointing experience overall
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Twin Room with Extra Bed and Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    Old and not well maintained Hygiene should be improved (could find webs, almost no soap on ofuro and public sinks) No amenities included (no towel, no toothbrush, etc) It was half-board but food was scarce Room was cold No pick up from the slopes (15' walking)

    Location The staff were nice people

    Stayed in February 2024

  • Reviewed: January 30, 2024

    5.0
    Great accommodation with warm hospitality and breakfast but lacking in cleanliness
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Twin Room with Extra Bed and Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    The bathrooms were very dirty and had not been properly cleaned in at least many days. The sinks had hair and a lot of built up grime on them. The garbage in the bathroom wasn’t emptied in the three days we stayed there further attesting to lack of cleaning. We wouldn’t normally comment like this without first talking to the owner but we did request the bathroom be cleaned and it was not during the remainder of our stay. This lack of cleaning is unacceptable, especially for a shared bathroom.

    The breakfast was good and the owner was very hospitable and friendly. Owner is able to give you a ride to Madarao as well as discounted lift tickets.

    Stayed in January 2024

  • Reviewed: February 24, 2024

    9.0
    Wonderful
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Twin Room with Extra Bed and Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    There are no comments available for this review

    Stayed in February 2024

  • Reviewed: February 16, 2024

    8.0
    Very Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveler
    • Twin Room with Extra Bed and Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 15 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    There are no comments available for this review

    Stayed in February 2024

  • Reviewed: January 15, 2024

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Group
    • Twin Room with Extra Bed and Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted from a mobile device

    There are no comments available for this review

    Stayed in January 2024

Showing 1 - 24

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