Grand Mercure Lake Biwa Resort & Spa

Everthing! Every detail, from warm yet professional care from the shuttle bus driver to the perfect onsen bath to a cozy sleep….?

The common facilities like the onsen was superb. Its modern and clean.

The room was abit dated.

The food at the hotel was just okay.

The location was good, and the hotel was fine, however the very small plastic “unit bath” for a hotel of this level, was definitely not god.

Fabulous location! Great place to take the boat trip out to the island and also a wonderful place to bike ride. Dont hotel provides E bikes.

Great location, right on the water, stunning view from our room. Very comfortable beds, the shuttle to the train station comes in handy.

The hotel is looking very tired and could use a refresh. Carpets are stained, furniture is old. But is very clean.

Location

Not japanese standards. Old, smells, not 4 stars. Expensive for the quality

I liked the location and the onsen.

There was no convenience store close by, so it would have been nice to have a small store or kiosk in the hotel.

When we checked in, the room was very smoky. The manager was wonderful and moved us to a better room.

After checking out, a manager called my cell phone saying we had not paid our bill and I need to return. I was not nearby and told him I had the cc receipt. He continued to call and demanded I return, ruining my time at a Buddhist temple with a friend performing a chant. After all this, it turns out they were wrong but never got to see my friend perform the prayer.

Free snacks and drinks in the afternoon and night in the lobby, free access to the onsen which was very nice.

The onsen has a sign stating that people with tattoos are not welcome inside. Also, there is no lake access from the hotel (at least in September)

Lakeside,Friendly staff, quick to accommodate and answer questions. Free snacks Access shuttle!

Some outdated things like bathroom.

Breakfast was fine, service was good, location was walkable from the station and the shuttle bus was helpful and on time. Good for carrying package to the train. The town was kind of interesting but Hakone much better. The spa bath was large and spacious. It is more of a group location than for couples.

The unit bathroom was tiny, uncomfortable and the large step down into the room was almost dangerous. This place is definitely for people who are going to use the hot spring bath on the first floor and not spend much time for the room. The bath in the room was tiny, and there was barely room to brush your teeth. The beds were low. By an error in signing up for the room, I got the "Mountain View" instead of the lake which was a parking lot instead of water view. The beds were low. Adequate if you had lots of friends to hangout with outside of the room.

The facility and the room were great. I love the view of Lake Biwa.

The staffs ability to converse in English was limited-and that's ok. But they then appeared nervous and not comfortable helping me.

The Happy Hour was appreciated and lovely Onsen area.

The property need a complete re-do! My room was very shabby, carpets stained, window rattled and many dents and bruises in the walls.

The baths were ok.

Quite expensive buffet. But breakfast was included and was ok. A bit sterile maybe?

Central location with nice lake view, good buffet breakfast and free drink in the lounge.

It’s way too old and need a really good upgrade.

Like: very vintage feel to it, feels like a hotel for locals, which fits my appetite, you get to see what’s in the pack. They try to speak alittle English which I appreciate as compared to other areas. Got to see the lake even tho it was raining the entire day. Met some cool young kids on the way to the hotel too. The whole atmosphere were pleasant , the locals are relax too. Compared to huge cities. Dislike: the day I booked I presume they had some festival or event going on, a lot of locals going to the onsen! As usual there’s bound to be Japanese staffs that are hostile towards gaijin and doesn’t want to serve you or acknowledge. Which is fine. I’m paying and they can’t do anything. The rooms seem to be abit old and musky but I’m staying for a day so we can make do with it.

Onsen …room …snack bar…car pick up

room size. Lake view and water front. Free drinks at lounge. Nice park nearby. Many Japanese families stay at the lounge at night, eat, drink and talk, which is a opportunity for tourists to experience the local culture. Spa service is good, but not sure if it is open to non-japanese looking foreigners.

Location, location, location is faraway from most Biwa Lake attractions. It is remote especially if not driving a car. Lack of living facilities around the hotel, such as shops, supermarket, convenience stores. Staff's english levels can be better, e.g. they can't even explain how to access/leave the parking and pay for the fee. Bed, chair, bath, everything were very short and inconvenient for taller people, which appears to be designed for Japanese use only.

The room is quite dated but still offered a comfortable stay. The hotel has a rather spacious onsen that allows one to have a relaxing time.

Good Onsen. Good location

Spa was shut:( They should call it Resort and occasional spa! I was not impressed.