Hotel de L’Alpage is a retreat where you can rejuvenate your body and mind, far from the hustle and bustle of the city, surrounded by the serene beauty of nature. While the Tateshina Highlands are renowned as a summer getaway, the winter season—particularly from Christmas through New Year’s—offers a quieter, more tranquil atmosphere for a slower lifestyle as well as an opportunity to rejuvenate yourself away from the hectic city lifestyle.

In this article, we would like to introduce an example of how you can make the most of your winter stay at HOTEL de L’ALPAGE.

15:00

After checking in, you can relax and unwind in the warmth of your room. The hotel building is newly constructed and well-insulated, ensuring comfort throughout your stay. Underfloor heating extends not only through the guest rooms but also into the bathrooms, making the entire hotel cozy even on the chilliest winter days. From the comfort of your room, you can enjoy the luxury of lounging in your favorite attire while admiring the serene winter landscape outside.

The minibar in your room offers a selection of coffee, tea, roasted green tea, and herbal teas, as well as soft drinks made with fruits from Shinshu and local craft beers. Pair these with the welcome sweets crafted by our pâtissier to create a delightful moment of indulgence.

Sink into the sofa from the esteemed French brand Duvivier, chosen for its unparalleled comfort, and take in the majestic natural beauty of Tateshina visible through your balcony windows. Whether you’re listening to music, reading a good book, or soaking in the generously sized bathtub, we hope you’ll take this time to enjoy the simple pleasures that often get pushed aside in the chaos of everyday life.

This winter, Hotel de L’Alpage is offering an exclusive stay plan for just one group per day. The plan includes a “Remedial Massage” session in the suite room after check-in. Delivered by a skilled therapist with expertise in anatomy, the massage uses organic jojoba oil and essential oils with natural fragrances to target deep muscle layers and lymph nodes, allowing you to fully relax and unwind.

17:30

As evening sets in, we recommend spending some time at the bar Le Rêve, located next to the restaurant, before dinner. This bar, which features an adjoining library, offers a selection of aperitifs to enjoy before your meal. Our top recommendation is Salers Gentiane, a liqueur made from the roots of the gentian flower. Rarely found outside France—and even within France, mostly in the Auvergne region—this unique liqueur is likely available in Japan exclusively at our establishment. During the festive season, we are also offering hot wine for a festive touch.

18:00

After enjoying an aperitif, it’s time to move on to the restaurant. Here, you can savor classic, timeless French cuisine, crafted with care by our chef. During the winter season, the menu features dishes such as Roasted French Duck Breast with Wild Mushroom Cream Sauce and Shinshu Golden Shamo Chicken Thigh with Cider Vinegar and Truffle. These dishes showcase a harmonious blend of French ingredients and fresh, local produce from Nagano.

Our wine cellar boasts over 2,000 bottles of wine directly imported from France. You’re welcome to consult with our sommelier to find the perfect bottle or glass to complement your meal.

20:30

After you finish your dinner, move towards the back of the bar, where we have a designated cigar room available for our guests. Enjoy a digestif in the form of a French cognac paired with a cigar to bring a close to your gastronomic experience. If cigars and cognacs are not in your preference, do not fret; the bar has several non-alcoholic beverages as well as mocktails available upon request. The bar has several books featuring architecture and art that our guests are able to enjoy, of which include antiques that wouldn’t look out of place enclosed in a glass case at a museum. Guests at the hotel are free to interact and look through these books at your own leisure. For those who prefer a more exciting ways to pass the time together with your friends, we also have board games like checkers and chess available.

11:00

If you have ample time after checking out of the hotel, why not head out into the wonderful highlands of Nagano by following the Venus line all the way up to the Kurumayama highlands. Enjoy the frozen landscape that can only be witnessed during the frigid winter months. Temperatures plummet to double negatives, especially at higher altitudes around this time of year creating an otherworldly, truly wild, frozen landscape with an ethereal beauty that is hard to describe. The cold may bite on your skin, but the alpine views are well worth the trouble. For safety, please make sure that you have winter tires equipped when venturing out into mountain roads during the winter season.

Tokyo Weekender has also featured an article on how to spend a delightful winter at HOTEL de L’ALPAGE.

Special Business Hours for Late December to New Year’s

• December 24 (Tue) & 25 (Wed): Open for Christmas dinner.
• December 26 (Thu) & 27 (Fri): Closed temporarily.
• December 31 (Tue) & January 1 (Wed): Open with exclusive accommodation plans available.