Assessment: Hilton Niseko Village | Prince of Journey

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

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 lodge within the space, we wished to discover a property that had stability of location, value, and amenities.

Because it seems, we received 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 out there in Niseko. There was actually a variety of decisions to choose from, and having by no means been to this a part of Japan earlier than, we weren’t too conversant in the completely different areas across the ski hills.

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

Money charges at this property range vastly 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. 

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

If you happen to’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 evening through the ski season.

When pitted towards 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 individuals, we in the end determined that paying money and incomes factors via a promotion was the perfect wager. 

It’s price noting that for our first evening within the space, the lodge was offered 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 fits 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 in every of 4 hills within the space.

One of many major 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 lodge’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. If you happen to take a chairlift to the highest of the mountain, you’ll be able to entry any of the 4 resorts fairly simply.

Relying on climate, varied lifts shut at completely different elements of the day. You’ll wish to be aware of the closing instances, as you gained’t be capable of entry completely different areas of the mountain as soon as they’re closed.

Nonetheless, don’t fret if you happen to miss a carry, as there’s a free shuttle that runs to all main motels within the space from the bottom of every mountain. 

There isn’t quite a bit happening within the speedy neighborhood of the lodge, except for a small space with outlets, eating places, and a café. 

Hirafu has probably the most choices for food 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 ensure you take note of the schedule for the free shuttle bus. 

As for accessing the world, you’ll be able to take direct buses from Sapporo Chitose Airport (CTS), which take round three hours. Alternatively, there are buses or a prepare that run from Sapporo.

These can both be booked on-line upfront, or if you happen to’re like us, you’ll be able to present up on the airport and guide it upon arrival. 

Hilton Niseko Village – Verify-in

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

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

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

Upon getting into, you’re met by a grand, open house with tall ceilings and the lounge bar instantly in entrance. Exterior of the bar space, you’ll discover quite a few 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 employees on the Hilton Niseko Village have been nice, and really useful all through. They acknowledged my Hilton Gold standing and advised me in regards to the varied inclusions on the lodge, together with breakfast. 

The lodge 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 overseas transaction charges. 

We have been directed to the concierge desk to drop off our baggage, which was then dropped at our room as soon as it was prepared. Shortly after we arrived on the lodge, 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 desirous to get on the hill and see what Japow was all about.

Hilton Niseko Village – Twin Deluxe Household Room

After an unimaginable first day on the hill, we returned to the lodge 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 getting 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 occasion of three.

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

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

Straight reverse from the beds is a tv, dresser, and baggage rack. There’s additionally a small mini-fridge positioned underneath the tv.

We shortly received the sense that the lodge 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 lodge keep.

Subsequent to the tv is a big shelf which got here with a boilerplate welcome be aware, in addition to candies and three bottles of water as a welcome reward.

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 beneath. 

General, our room was totally appropriate for a ski journey throughout which we spent most of our time exterior of the room. It actually wasn’t fancy by any means, however it was comfy, inexpensive, and had sufficient room for all of our baggage and kit.

We additionally appreciated having a mini-fridge within the room, which was good for the après-ski beer and protecting 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 lodge. 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 trustworthy, I didn’t essentially have excessive hopes for the breakfast right here. Throughout our first breakfast, nevertheless, our ideas shortly modified.

Breakfast on the Hilton Niseko Village is outstanding. The buffet space spans your entire 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, scorching cocoa, a collection of teas, juices, and a smooth drink machine. The automated espresso maker may be fairly busy within the mornings, and was really one of many lowlights of the restaurant.

The primary part of the buffet presents many Western, Japanese, and Asian scorching meals decisions. Some core objects, similar to sausages, bacon, and hash browns, have been out there each day, whereas different objects, similar to Hokkaido fried salmon or fried noodles with hen broth, modified each day. 

The subsequent buffet part was stuffed with chilly objects. On this space, you could find 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’ll be able to select from some pre-made choices, together with a Niseko waffle eggs Benedict.

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

You probably have a hankering for some cereal, you’ll discover some out there on the head of the buffet space, alongside some recent 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 every thing 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 instances 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 out there for friends. Other than eating on the lodge, there aren’t too many choices close by, so it’s possible you’ll wish 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 lodge’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 in the future, and stopped by for a pizza and a beer. We weren’t actually blown away by what we had, however it match the invoice for a simple repair so we might get again to the slopes.

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

We didn’t wind up consuming right here; nevertheless, I observed that it was typically busy. Once I popped in to have a look, the employees member recommended that friends ought to make reservations, as they’re typically at capability.

Inside, you’ll be able to select from Pirka, which presents 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 presents all-you-can-eat shabu shabu, or Japanese scorching pot. 

On the primary ground of the lodge is Flame Bar & Lounge. Throughout our keep, there was a dwell band enjoying each evening, and we popped right down to get pleasure from a drink and chat with different friends.

The fireside is the centrepiece at Flame, and it’s a terrific spot to unwind earlier than heading to mattress to relaxation up.

Hilton Niseko Village – Different Amenities

The Hilton Niseko Village has quite a few different amenities for friends, that are principally geared in the direction of winter actions.

Top-of-the-line options on the lodge is the onsen, or Japanese scorching spring. The onsens are positioned on the bottom ground of the lodge, 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 scorching swimming pools, with one inside and one exterior, in addition to a washing space with bathe stalls. The skin 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 after we glided by. In my view, there’s nothing extra satisfying after an extended 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 lodge. It’s open across the clock, and incorporates a modest collection of gear.

Near the health centre is the ski valet service, which supplies you complimentary storage of your skis, snowboards, and boots. It’s open from 8am–7:30pm each day, and it was a terrific 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 lodge. It’s open each day from 8am–10pm, and has an honest 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 lodge. It didn’t look like all that busy; nevertheless, I think about that getting a therapeutic massage is perhaps 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 lodge in the primary parking zone. That is additionally the place buses that connect with Sapporo and the airport will decide you up and drop you off.

We wound up reducing our keep a bit brief as one in every of my buddies received injured, however the lodge was very blissful to accommodate an early departure with none penalties. 

Conclusion

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

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

Whereas the lodge is perhaps a bit dated, and definitely has an uncommon design, it’s a terrific spot if lapping up some luxurious isn’t your major focus in Niseko. I’d actually contemplate 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.