After deciding on Niseko because the vacation spot for our ski journey to Japan, my mates and I went by means of the method of choosing a spot to remain. As a closely trafficked vacation spot, there’s definitely no scarcity of locations to remain within the space, which vary from shoestring lodging to five-star accommodations.

Wanting to utilize my newfound Hilton Honors Gold standing, we wound up selecting the Hilton Niseko Village for our keep. Whereas it didn’t look like probably the most aspirational resort within the space, we needed to discover a property that had a very good stability of location, value, and amenities.

Because it seems, we obtained precisely what we have been on the lookout for.

Hilton Niseko Village – Reserving

Within the months main as much as the journey, I used to be busy scouring the assorted properties obtainable in Niseko. There was definitely a variety of selections to choose from, and having by no means been to this a part of Japan earlier than, we weren’t too accustomed to the totally different areas across the ski hills.

When it got here time to decide on a resort, we opted for the Hilton Niseko Village after seeing that it had direct gondola entry from proper exterior the resort. 

Money charges at this property fluctuate tremendously relying on the season. Charges are as little as ¥12,000 ($120 CAD) exterior of the busy ski season, and as excessive as ¥75,000 ($750 CAD) or extra throughout main holidays. 

In the course of the busy ski months in from December–February, anticipate to pay a mean of round ¥35,000 ($350 CAD) per night time, which is what we wound up paying for our keep. 

Should you’re reserving with Hilton Honors factors, anticipate to pay round 40,000 factors within the off-season, as much as 260,000 factors throughout holidays, and round 170,000 factors per night time throughout the ski season.

When pitted in opposition to our valuation of Hilton Honors factors at 0.5 cents per level (CAD), there isn’t actually a powerful argument to be made for a redemption right here. 

Since we have been splitting the price of our keep between three folks, we in the end determined that paying money and incomes factors by means of a promotion was the perfect guess. 

It’s price noting that for our first night time within the space, the resort was bought out, so we simply booked a room at a hostel close by. Our room there priced out at across the identical as our room on the Hilton Niseko Village, which matches to indicate that lodging goes to seemingly be your greatest expense when planning a ski journey to Niseko.

Hilton Niseko Village – Location

The Hilton Niseko Village is positioned on the base of Niseko Village Ski Resort, one among 4 hills within the space.

One of many fundamental attracts at staying on the Hilton Niseko Village is its ski-in ski-out location. The Niseko Village Ski Space gondola departs from simply exterior of the resort’s entrance, which could be very handy for friends.

There are a complete of 4 ski hills accessible within the Niseko space: Annupuri, Niseko Village, Grand Hirafu, and Hanazono. Should you take a chairlift to the highest of the mountain, you possibly can entry any of the 4 resorts fairly simply.

Relying on climate, varied lifts shut at totally different components of the day. You’ll need to be conscious of the closing occasions, as you gained’t be capable of entry totally different areas of the mountain as soon as they’re closed.

Nevertheless, don’t fret in the event you miss a elevate, as there’s a free shuttle that runs to all main accommodations within the space from the bottom of every mountain. 

There isn’t quite a bit happening within the quick neighborhood of the resort, other than a small space with outlets, eating places, and a café. 

Hirafu has probably the most choices for foods and drinks within the space. Merely hop on the free shuttle bus from the Hilton Niseko Village, and also you’ll be dropped off in Hirafu round quarter-hour later. 

Taxis are notoriously troublesome to hail, so be sure you take note of the schedule for the free shuttle bus. 

As for accessing the world, you possibly can take direct buses from Sapporo Chitose Airport (CTS), which take round three hours. Alternatively, there are buses or a practice that run from Sapporo.

These can both be booked on-line prematurely, or in the event you’re like us, you possibly can present up on the airport and e-book it upon arrival. 

Hilton Niseko Village – Examine-in

We really arrived within the space the night time earlier than we checked in; nonetheless, the Hilton Niseko Village occurred to be bought out, so we simply stayed elsewhere and took a taxi over within the morning.

The Hilton Niseko Village definitely has an fascinating look to it. It’s additionally known as “Dr. Evil’s Lair” or a spy bunker from occasions previous, and for good cause.

The principle entrance to the resort is positioned on the finish of the inbound street in a big car parking zone.

Upon coming into, you’re met by a grand, open house with tall ceilings and the lounge bar immediately in entrance. Exterior of the bar space, you’ll discover numerous couches arrange within the foyer lounge.

We arrived fairly early within the day, as many friends have been testing. Our plan was to hit the slopes instantly, so we approached the check-in desk with that in thoughts.

The workers on the Hilton Niseko Village have been nice, and really useful all through. They acknowledged my Hilton Gold standing and informed me concerning the varied inclusions on the resort, together with breakfast. 

The resort was very busy throughout our keep, and my feeble makes an attempt at “suite-talking” with a mid-tier standing have been promptly, however politely, rejected.

For what it’s price, I paid for the keep utilizing my HSBC World Elite Mastercard, because it comes with no international transaction charges. 

We have been directed to the concierge desk to drop off our baggage, which was then delivered to our room as soon as it was prepared. Shortly after we arrived on the resort, we have been already heading to the hill, which was nice.

It had snowed fairly a bit in a single day, so we have been very wanting to get on the hill and see what Japow was all about.

Hilton Niseko Village – Twin Deluxe Household Room

After an unbelievable first day on the hill, we returned to the resort within the late afternoon to finish check-in. Our keys have been prepared, and we headed as much as the room.

We weren’t anticipating to be blown away by the room, because it was actually serving as a base for us to discover the world. 

Instantly upon coming into the room, there’s a small lobby with a sink. Subsequent to it was the room’s closet, which was already stocked with an additional bathrobe for our social gathering of three.

The principle a part of the room was fairly crowded. We chosen this room kind because it got here with three beds already, which is nice for households or small teams of mates.

In between the one mattress and the pair of beds was an evening desk with a pleasant previous panel that controls lighting, heating, the alarm clock, and radio. 

Immediately reverse from the beds is a tv, dresser, and baggage rack. There may be additionally a small mini-fridge positioned underneath the tv.

We shortly obtained the sense that the resort hasn’t modified an excessive amount of because it was in-built 2008.

Inside one of many drawers have been three yukata bathrobes and slippers, which is at all times a pleasant side of a Japanese resort keep.

Subsequent to the tv is a big shelf which got here with a boilerplate welcome observe, in addition to goodies and three bottles of water as a welcome present.

In entrance of the room’s home windows, which seemed over on the ski hill, have been two chairs and a small espresso desk. It was good to look out on the ski hill within the morning to gauge how a lot snow had fallen in a single day.

The lavatory within the room was pretty cramped. Inside, there’s a Japanese rest room, a small washbasin, and a bathe stall with a small bathtub under. 

Total, our room was totally appropriate for a ski journey throughout which we spent most of our time exterior of the room. It definitely wasn’t fancy by any means, but it surely was snug, reasonably priced, and had sufficient room for all of our baggage and kit.

We additionally appreciated having a mini-fridge within the room, which was excellent for the aprés-ski beer and preserving some snacks chilled.

Hilton Niseko Village – Breakfast

Breakfast on the Hilton Niseko Village is served at Soften Bar & Grill, which is positioned on the second ground of the resort. It’s served each day from 6:30–10:30am. 

You gained’t have to make a reservation right here, as there’s loads of house. Attempt to arrive early and also you would possibly rating a desk with a stunning view of Mount Yotei. 

To be sincere, I didn’t essentially have excessive hopes for the breakfast right here. Throughout our first breakfast, nonetheless, our ideas shortly modified.

Breakfast on the Hilton Niseko Village is exceptional. The buffet space spans your complete size of the restaurant, and there are alternatives aplenty to swimsuit any style.

On the head of the buffet space is the place you’ll discover the beverage choices, which embody espresso, sizzling cocoa, a collection of teas, juices, and a smooth drink machine. The automated espresso maker might be fairly busy within the mornings, and was really one of many lowlights of the restaurant.

The primary part of the buffet gives many Western, Japanese, and Asian sizzling meals selections. Some core objects, similar to sausages, bacon, and hash browns, have been obtainable each day, whereas different objects, similar to Hokkaido fried salmon or fried noodles with rooster broth, modified each day. 

The following buffet part was filled with chilly objects. On this space, yow will discover a pleasant number of smoked fish, salads, chilly cuts, and cheeses.

Alongside the again wall of Soften, you’ll discover a cooked-to-order eggs station. The cooks right here will whip up your order, or alternatively, you possibly can select from some pre-made choices, together with a Niseko waffle eggs Benedict.

Within the center part of the restaurant, yow will discover a each day soup similar to pho, congee, pastries, Niseko waffles, crepes, rice bowls, and a honeycomb.

When you have a hankering for some cereal, you’ll discover some obtainable on the head of the buffet space, alongside some contemporary fruit, yogurt, and desserts.

Evidently, we left every morning well-fuelled and able to hit the slopes. By way of high quality, I used to be pleasantly shocked with all the pieces that I had, and I additionally appreciated the wide range of things to select from every day.

It’s price noting that we weren’t at all times charged for the third particular person in our group. Of the 5 occasions we had breakfast, we have been solely dinged for an additional particular person twice, which made us really feel that we weren’t being nickel-and-dimed. 

Hilton Niseko Village – Eating

The Hilton Niseko Village has a couple of different eating places obtainable for friends. Except for eating on the resort, there aren’t too many choices close by, so chances are you’ll need to head into Hirafu for some extra choices (and particularly ones at a cheaper price level).

Soften can also be open for lunch between 11:30am and 3pm, and once more for dinner from 5:30–10pm.

On the different finish of the second ground, you’ll discover Ezo Pub.

That is the resort’s most informal eating facility, and felt quite a bit like one thing you would possibly discover at a ski hill again in North America.

We have been in want of some fast energy sooner or later, and stopped by for a pizza and a beer. We weren’t actually blown away by what we had, but it surely match the invoice for a simple repair so we might get again to the slopes.

Adjoining to Ezo is Ren, which gives Japanese delicacies in three separate settings throughout the restaurant.

We didn’t wind up consuming right here; nonetheless, I seen that it was usually busy. After I popped in to have a look, the workers member urged that friends ought to make reservations, as they’re usually at capability.

Inside, you possibly can select from Pirka, which gives teppanyaki eating, Sisam, which is a Japanese restaurant, and Rera, a sushi bar.

The inside of the restaurant seemed good, and I’d like to provide it a shot if I come again to remain right here once more.

Yotei is one other venue on the Hilton Niseko Village. It gives all-you-can-eat shabu shabu, or Japanese sizzling pot. 

On the principle ground of the resort is Flame Bar & Lounge. Throughout our keep, there was a reside band enjoying each night time, and we popped right down to take pleasure in a drink and chat with different friends.

The hearth is the centrepiece at Flame, and it’s an important spot to unwind earlier than heading to mattress to relaxation up.

Hilton Niseko Village – Different Amenities

The Hilton Niseko Village has numerous different amenities for friends, that are largely geared in the direction of winter actions.

Among the best options on the resort is the onsen, or Japanese sizzling spring. The onsens are positioned on the bottom ground of the resort, and are open from 5:30am–11pm each day.

The areas are separate for women and men. Inside, you’ll discover a change room, however most individuals simply put on the yukatas from their room after which disrobe as soon as they get to the onsen.

You’re anticipated to be bare, and bathing fits aren’t allowed.

There are two sizzling swimming pools, with one inside and one exterior, in addition to a washing space with bathe stalls. The surface pool is kind of magical, because it seems to be out over snowdrifts and one other pool. 

I didn’t handle to get an image throughout our keep, because the onsen was at all times occupied once we glided by. For my part, there’s nothing extra satisfying after a protracted day or snowboarding, and even simply to begin the day, than soaking in a pool.

The health centre is positioned on the bottom ground of the resort. It’s open across the clock, and contains a modest collection of tools.

Near the health centre is the ski valet service, which provides you complimentary storage of your skis, snowboards, and boots. It’s open from 8am–7:30pm each day, and it was an important facility to maintain the room much less cluttered.

As you exit the ski valet space, you’re solely steps from the gondola that brings you up Niseko Village mountain.

There’s a small comfort retailer, the Hilton Store, on the bottom ground of the resort. It’s open each day from 8am–10pm, and has a good collection of non-perishable meals objects, drinks, and a few cheaper snacks.

There’s a spa, An Spa Niseko, positioned on the bottom ground of the resort. It didn’t look like all that busy; nonetheless, I think about that getting a therapeutic massage may be a pleasant deal with after a couple of days of deep powder.

Lastly, the shuttle bus that takes you to Hirafu stops simply exterior of the resort in the principle car parking zone. That is additionally the place buses that hook up with Sapporo and the airport will decide you up and drop you off.

We wound up chopping our keep a bit quick as one among my mates obtained injured, however the resort was very pleased to accommodate an early departure with none penalties. 

Conclusion

The Hilton Niseko Village is an efficient alternative for anybody on the lookout for a ski-in, ski-out resort within the Niseko space. It has a pleasant quantity of amenities obtainable for friends, together with an onsen and a ski valet service, that are good added touches.

The breakfast providing on the resort is kind of robust, and it’s an effective way to gas up for the day. 

Whereas the resort may be a bit dated, and positively has an uncommon design, it’s an important spot if lapping up some luxurious isn’t your main focus in Niseko. I’d definitely take into account returning to the Hilton Niseko Village on my subsequent journey to the world, which is already within the works after experiencing 4 days of the perfect powder I’ve ever encountered.