Mercure Urabandai Resort
The Mercure Urabandai Resort and Spa (previously Active Resorts Urabandai and the Urabandai Royal Hotel prior to that) is a large hotel that’s well positioned to explore the many Aizu ski resorts in the Mt Bandai region. Choose from Japanese style tatami rooms or western rooms.
Where is the Mercure Urabandai Resort?
The Mercure Urabandai Resort is located in the Urabandai area of the Aizu Region in the Fukushima Prefecture of Honshu Japan. The hotel is 13km north of the town of Inawashiro and 15km from the Iwawashiro train station (arrival/departure shuttles available), and approximately 20 minutes drive from the Banetsu Expressway (Iwawashiro Bandai Kogen interchange).
Ski Resorts Nearby:
A free shuttle is available (late December through to early April) between the hotel and Nekoma Ski Resort and Grandeco Snow Resort, but you’ll probably want to have a car to get the most out of the region.
There is a convenience store about 10 minutes walk away, or there is a 7-Eleven about 5 minutes drive away.
Hotel Rooms
Mercure Urabandai Resort and Spa has large Japanese tatami rooms that cater for up to 4 guests.
There are also spacious western style rooms with 2 over-sized beds for up to 4 guests, as well as economical single rooms.
All rooms have an ensuite bathroom, wifi and TV, and most rooms have a mini fridge. Some rooms offer views of Mt Bandai. You can choose a smoking or non-smoking room.
The hotel also has suites with twin beds, a tatami area for futons, and a western style sitting area.
Facilities & Services
The hotel has extensive facilities and services, with the highlight being a beautiful onsen with indoor and outdoor baths for each gender.
Other amenities include:
- Sauna
- Large gift shop
- Massage services
- Games arcade
- Ski rentals
- Ski/snowboard storage
- Lift ticket discounts for Nekoma, Gran Deco and Urabandai
- Free wifi
- Karaoke bar
- Free parking onsite
- A couple of the staff speak English
- Games room & table tennis
- Laundry
Dining
Half board packages are available inclusive of breakfast and dinner, or you can just get breakfast included in the stay package.
The hotel has a few dining options for dinner, but they may not all be open depending on the season and day of the week. This includes a buffet restaurant with Japanese and western dishes, a steak house, and a reasonably priced izakaya with a range of tapas-style cuisine.
During the day there is a glamorous cafe for drinks and snacks.
The breakfast buffet has mostly Japanese cuisine with a few western creature comforts such as cereal and toast.
There aren’t many dining options near the hotel, and depending on the night of the week, these may be closed. You would want to have a car if you plan to eat at nearby eateries.