Zao Plaza Hotel
Zao Onsen 2
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Why people book this hotel
“The staff called us and informed us, in a very friendly manner, that we must com…”
“The staff was always nice and helpful”
“Oh, and the room was so comfy”
“Spacious room and beautiful view”
“The breakfast was also great (definitely my favourite meal), unfortunately we mi…”
“Breakfast and dinner are excellent”
“If you’re here in the winter (for snowboarding / skiing) the location is perfect”
“Excellent location to cable car and chairlifts”
Overview
Just a 1-minute walk from Uwanodai Ski Resort, Zao Plaza Hotel features free WiFi and ski storage. Zao Onsen Bus Terminal is an 8-minute walk away, and free pick-up shuttles are provided when called from the terminal. The hotel boasts indoor and open-air hot spring baths where guests can unwind. Drinks vending machines are available on site, and ski equipment can be requested for a fee. Fitted with tatami (woven-straw) flooring and traditional futon bedding, each room at Plaza Hotel Zao has a TV and a fridge. An electric kettle with tea leaves is also provided. The hotel is a 30-minute drive from JR Yamagata Station. Zao Ropeway is a 4-minute drive away. Lake Okama can be reached within a 50-minute drive. On-site restaurant Wing offers Japanese dinner featuring seasonal dishes including Beef shabushabu hot pot. Japanese breakfast is also served at the restaurant.
Traveller reviews
Lena
couple
March 3, 2026
“Very welcoming, very comfy, very homey.”
If you’re here in the winter (for snowboarding / skiing) the location is perfect. There is a lift right next to it and the central town is only a short walk away. The onsen was also amazing, and they allow tattoos! Which was very important for us. The food was also great. We did not realise that we had half-board, so we were (very) late for dinner on our first evening. The staff called us and informed us, in a very friendly manner, that we must come to the restaurant immediately. This was shortly after dinner should have ended. They accommodated our mistake with friendliness. The breakfast was also great (definitely my favourite meal), unfortunately we missed it on the second day. Finally, there was a small accident. Another guest’s rental vehicle slipped into our rental vehicle due to the ice. The hotel staff was very helpful and helped with the filing of a police report and translation with the police officers (who were also amazingly friendly. The staff also helped us reschedule a hike we had planned for that morning (this had not been booked through the hotel) and even offered to drive us to the meeting location, since our car was incapacitated. Oh, and the room was so comfy! I would definitely come back!
Klaudia
couple
February 18, 2026
Great localisation for skiing, just 5 min from the lift no 4. The food was amazing. There was always many side dishes so even if you're not a fan of a particular thing, you wouldn't be going hungry. My favorite for the supper was sukiyaki. The onsen, especially the outside one (露天風呂) was almost always empty when I went. It has acidic water, so proceed with caution if you have skin conditions though. The staff was always nice and helpful. We communicated in Japanese mostly, but they seemed able to communicate in English too.
Hin Chun Gordon
family_with_children
December 19, 2025
Breakfast and dinner are excellent. Staff are super friendly and helpful.
Hon Cheong
family_with_children
February 11, 2025
“Comfort and convenient stay in Zao”
Excellent location to cable car and chairlifts. Free transfer to bus terminal and Chui Ropeway. Good portion of dinner with different styles on daily basis.
Goto
couple
October 1, 2024
“A special weekend in Zao”
Spacious room and beautiful view. The staff were very kind and welcoming. The food was delicious.
Akira
family_with_children
August 6, 2023
good meal.
SOO SIONG
extended_group
April 26, 2023
“perfect”
the room is big
Linda
family_with_children
January 14, 2023
room, spring water,food and services.
NATSUYO
couple
December 20, 2022
“Relaxing stay after skiing.”
location, breakfast, public hot spring bath, discount system with ski goods, 100yen massage chair.
Tokiko
family_with_children
April 17, 2022
“最高❣️”
・Good service ・Large communal bath is good ・Breakfast is delicious
N
couple
February 27, 2022
The staff was super nice, they provided us with all necessary transportation, they were super supportive, and the whole atmosphere was great. Also, the food was very delicious!! And we had a great view from our room :)
Margaret
solo_traveller
February 20, 2022
“I had a great time - look forward to a return visit!”
Wonderful stay. Beautiful Japanese-style room with a lovely covered balcony area with great views over the town. Exquisite food. Very helpful staff. Room was warm and well-equipped and the hot spring baths are open 24-hours so were never too busy. The hotel is a short walk from the centre of town, ropeway etc but this meant that it has great views over the town and to the mountains beyond. Shuttle to the bus station available.
Francisco
solo_traveller
September 13, 2021
2 open onsen (hot baths) 24 hours, breakfast and dinner gorgeous, staff very nice and bell crickets as pets in reception. Wonderful stay.
Facilities
Activities
Fishing, Skiing, Massage, Hiking, Hot spring bath, Open-air bath, Public Bath, Full body massage, Massage chair
Cleanliness & disinfecting
Use of cleaning chemicals that are effective against Coronavirus, Guest accommodation is disinfected between stays, Guest accommodation sealed after cleaning, Property is cleaned by professional cleaning companies
Food & Drink
Breakfast options
Food & drink safety
Physical distancing in dining areas
General
WiFi available in all areas, Heating, Family rooms, Lift
Internet
Internet services, WiFi, Free WiFi
Outdoors
Garden
Parking
Parking, Free parking, Street parking, Parking on site, Private parking
Physical distancing
Cashless payment available, Physical distancing rules followed, Screens or physical barriers placed between staff and guests in appropriate areas
Safety & security
Key access, Smoke alarms, Fire extinguishers
Safety features
Thermometers for guests provided by property
Services
Daily housekeeping, Vending machine (drinks), Fax/photocopying, Luggage storage
Ski
Ski pass vendor, Ski storage
Japanese-Style Room (10tatami)
The family room includes a private bathroom, well-fitted with a bath, a shower, a bidet, a hairdryer and slippers. This family room has a coffee machine, a safe deposit box, flat-screen TV, as well as wine/champagne for guests. The unit has 5 futons.
Room Selected at Check-In
The property will allocate a room type to the guest on arrival; room types are subject to availability. Guests may be assigned a Japanese-style rooms with futon bedding or a Western-style room with beds. A room-type request cannot be guaranteed.
Hotel Policies
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