Stayed here during the early part of the 2019-2020 season. The hotel is located in Annupuri. The downside of staying in this part of Niseko is that it is located away from all the convenience you can find in Kutchan and Hirafu area like easy access to (affordable) eateries etc especially during the early season.
However, that's about it for the downside. If you are here for skiing and snowboarding. The location also meant that you don't get the crazy crowds at Grand Hirafu or Niseko Village which is also perfect if you are a beginner.
The hotel is a ski-in, ski-out hotel with its own in-house ski rental facility with lockers provided that you can use if you a guest. The equipment are okay as well. Thus, it is very convenient to access the ski slopes next door.
The room I stayed in was comfortable and spacious. There are a few F&B options in the hotel but they are expectedly expensive for a solo traveller, and was something Niseko is known for. That aside the food including breakfast was decent. There are very few options available of walking distance (weather becomes a problem if you intend to head out for dinner by walking) If you are driving, this will be less of a problem.
Other facilities include a hot spring bath and a library which has some private cubicle like spaces.
After some mixed reviews on Tripadvisor, I did not expect to enjoy this hotel as much as we did!
We had a twin room facing the car park but with the snowy sight, it’s beautiful every time we look out the window.
The room does not feel and look as old as some described, and the toilet is compact and basic, just like any other Japanese hotel toilets, but we showered most of the time at the onsen, which again, is a delight.
For women’s, they have 1 indoor and 1 outdoor onsen. Although small, but well kept. The changing and dressing area was simple yet nice. We have tried 2 other hotel Onsens and found ours to be simple and intimate, clean and well kept. So it was super enjoyable to come back to our hotel onsen at the end of each day.
The coin laundry was simple and basic and just next to the onsens, which is very useful as it was a ski trip for us.
There is a hotel “library” cum lounge area with sofas, chairs, tables, a fireplace, and a few computers. We did spend some time there doing some work, or lounging while waiting for laundry to be done, etc. It’s clean and has a rustic country feel to it. I see people discussing their ski trails there, or just a small gathering of friends and family snacking or drinking.
Next to it is a bar with happy hour and closes at 24:00 hours.
Best part was the ski rental shop has an exit right onto the slopes of Annupuri. Heading down the slope to the lift stations to go up. Good practice slope for beginners like me. End of the day or night skiing (night ski until 2030 hours) I just finish it off into our hotel. Park our snowboard and gears in the locker provided. 1 for each hotel room.
They have ski lessons too but group lessons only for Japanese, Private lessons in English are really expensive (AM Class) so I only took up 1 hour night class - which starts 1545hours onwards - for 9,500yen. 2 hours night class was slightly cheaper at around 18,500yen but I was too tired out from practicing on the Annupuri slopes with the help of a friend.
Hotel breakfast was included in our booking and man it was the best. Japanese and western style breakfast which rotates every 3 days because we stayed 5 nights and we know - bread is freshly baked and the spread is ample - totally necessary for a long day out on the slopes. I miss lunch most of the days because of the ample and delicious breakfast spread.
Hotel has a souvenir shop that sells some gear and food too, so it was good.
I can’t describe how much we enjoyed this hotel and have to give it 5 stars. I could totally recommend beginners and intermediate skiers to enjoy this ski in/ski out resort!
+ve
- Big roomy reception area, dining area
- very well kept and and maintained spacious room
- love the bathroom, toilet
- love the onsen within the hotel
- love the breakfast spread
- great dinner buffet spread
- within the ski park
- ask for room with mountain view
- ve
- maybe be a challenge for non drivers to travel out due to location
- most restaurants are closed during low season
- staff are helpful thou they may not speak English well
- no free bottle drinking water, you have to drink from the tap
- Y150- will be charged per person, per night for the Onsen, whether you use it or not
Location was just beside the SKI activities area. Unfortunate my trip was unable to do the SKI due to snow not much enough.
The view was superb. Room spacious. Breakfast buffet good spread.
Surrounding don't have any eatery shop or convenience shop, nearest need 10min drive.
They is a hidden tax for Owen which compulsory at 300 per room night.
Had an amazing time at this Hotel. Stayed with 2 adults and 2 small children - one under 6 so all food at breakfast and dinner buffet was free for her! Very friendly staff in all areas - ski/board hire, Bar, buffet, shop and Reception. Stayed in a deluxe king room (non-smoking) and had a rollaway, probably didn’t really need the rollaway, the king was HUGE! Food and drinks all great, best food choices we’ve had in our hotels so far. Didn’t try the Onsen but heard it was lovely and ok with tattoos. Absolutely amazing snow best boarding/skiing experience. Will definitely return! We hired all our gear and the kids clothing especially was wonderful. It is the furthest from Hirafu but there is a shuttle. We didn’t bother as had all we needed.