Food options were a bit limited, and there's nothing much around within walking distance. If you're ok with this, it's a great place to stay

The staff was great, the food was really good (though Western only), and the location was reasonable. It is close enough to several ski resorts, but obviously you're gonna need a car to get around. We had a good experience staying here for a long weekend while snowboarding.

Stayed in February 2024

I had such a warm welcome from Chris who was extremely helpful in planning my stay in Karuizawa. He cooked me a terrific breakfast and then offered a ride to help reduce the number of kms on my walk the next morning. Such a beautiful location and quite a charming setting - a highlight for me!

Stayed in April 2024

Stairs a challenge for older person

A change from the more corporate hotels. Great place to enjoy family as guests as well

Stayed in April 2024

Same breakfast.

Good food. Friendly host and guests.

Stayed in April 2024

Nothing worth writing about.

Great to sit in the lounge with the fire burning as the snow fell outside. Made feel at home and offered tea and cake on arrival. Staff are lovely and always willing to go a step above with assistance or information. Transport to the local train station included on leaving. I love my souvenir "Skippy" peanut butter. It was a wonderful stay.

Stayed in March 2024

I can imagine, that all this friendship feeling can scare some introverts people, but they can stay in their room and hide themself! :-)

It was an amazing stay, which exceed our expectation. Judy and her team are really nice, communicative, try you to feel welcome and home. They have great stock of entertainment like books, dvd, records, board games etc. Outside is teracce with seats and grill....All hotel has a strong english touch. For our children it was like a paradise :) and gave them strong home feeling. We had no dinner, but we enjoyed a full english breakfast, which was great.

Stayed in March 2024

Nothing at all.

Chris was an amazing host. Peaceful.and laid back without all the usual stickiness and formalities associated with Japan hotels. Yes I get that everything runs like clockwork and they follow timing to the tee, but when you're on holiday early check ins and late check outs are god send.

Stayed in February 2024

Fantastic boutique hotel in Karuizawa. Free parking. Family room was so big - we loved the size, the decoration, the cleanliness. The family rooms have DVD players. There are also record players you can take to the room - this was a great experience for our kids, who had never seen records before. Just a short drive away is a bunch of lovely restaurants/shops and a fancy onsen. This hotel is obviously a labour of love.

Stayed in February 2024

We were fully contented guests. But one small thing is that the rather steep stairs to the rooms might be tricky for some people.

The international staff were friendly, welcoming and enthusiastic. We particularly liked the genuine British atmosphere and the delicious home-made food items, including Yorkshire pudding, haggis and black pudding. Great bedroom and toilet interiors and mountain view! The garden is also pleasant and spacious.

Stayed in December 2023

Nothing.

An incredible experience. The entire British atmosphere including the meals make you feel like you are in a little England. The kindness and good humor of the entire team is contagious. I felt so good and relaxed. the rooms are super comfortable and clean, the shower has excellent pressure. The English breakfast is delicious and very well prepared, next time I will try dinner too. Thanks for the Wellies team, see you again.

Stayed in January 2024

Nothing

Chris, Bradley and all the staff couldn't do enough for us to make us feel welcome and at home. Breakfast and dinner were both really good - again couldn't do enough for us! Thank you.

Stayed in January 2024

nothing

Super friendly and nice staff, we spent a great night there having dinner and drinks afterward. Must try the dinner they served for u. it’s one of the greatest meal during my trip which was made by freshly procured vegetables from local farmer. The owner Chris even gave me a few tomato as gift to take back home. The hotel is very cozy and warm. it feels like u are in the UK with all those Beatles decorations. would definitely come visit again.

Stayed in January 2024

Sadly they didn’t have a ladies electric bike available for rental.

The wonderful hospitality with a distinct Fawlty Towers vibe, the very yummy authentic British food and the great modern British decor.

Stayed in December 2023

Very welcoming host, willing to help in recommending places and giving us lifts. We had a nice warm tea when we got there and some relaxing music to accompany the lovely chat with Chris. Place had everything you need for a relaxing stay: phone adaptors, board and card games, en suite bathroom, and all kinds of ammenities.

Stayed in November 2023

Nothing

The best place we stayed at in Japan. Judy and Brad were so welcoming, so much fun to talk to and full of information about the area, region and, indeed, Japan in general. The bar and restaurant clearly a reflection of the personality and interests of hotel owner Chris, making a fantastic change from the soulless hotels we had been staying in up until then. Dinner and breakfast were great, tasty and just the right size portions. Beautiful location with lots to do in the local area.

Stayed in November 2023

nothing

Friendly and helpful staff and really good breakfast.

Stayed in November 2023

We had a lovely stay at Wellies. As a Brit I really enjoyed all the unique features. The staff were super nice and helpful. Great chatting with chef Bradley and appreciate his recommendation to walk up to the nearby temple which offers a stunning view of the surroundings.

Stayed in October 2023

Nothing much. Wifi a bit patchy and some English instructions for the heater in the bedroom would help.

It's a small hotel set in a quiet spot. Dinner and breakfast were superb. The staff were very friendly, and Bradley helped us settle in and took our heavy luggage up the stairs as the rooms are on the second floor. Chris, the owner, chatted with the guests at breakfast and dinner and made you feel at home. Rare to find in a hotel these days!

Stayed in October 2023

Was a bit caught off guard by the dinner bill being higher than we were originally quoted before we arrived to the hotel - but it turns out the staff sent us by mistake an outdated price list. No big issue - food was great.

Wonderful stay, great food and friendly helpful staff. Appreciated very much the rides we received by Chris to and from the train station.

Stayed in October 2023

Nothing

The owner, Chris, was delightful and incredibly helpful. Small touches like tea on arrival, vinyl classics in the background. Comfy bed, great location and fantastic breakfast! All in all a fabulous stay.

Stayed in October 2023

Welles is a unique British style hotel which is close to Naka-Karuizawa station. The room is comfortable and quite, the garden is beautiful, the breakfast is pretty good, I love the tableware very much, all of them are stylish. Hosts are very friendly and supportive. They can speak English and Japanese as well.

Stayed in October 2023

Absolutely amazing stay. So glad we found this little gem for our stay in karuizawa, couldn't imagine having stayed elsewhere, only regret we have is we couldn't stay longer. Unique country house hotel with amazing food and even better hosts, thank you Chris and Judy and all the staff at Hotel Wellies for everything. We look forward to seeing you again in the future.

Stayed in August 2023

The friendly staff whom we chatted with every day, delicious meals, spacious room, British decoration, feel like home atmosphere

Stayed in August 2023

The food was excellent, well prepared and suitable for the setting. The room was spacious and had a nice view. The location was quite easy to reach from the nearest station, being around 10 minutes walk with a child.

Stayed in July 2023