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Photo: Setsu Niseko
Niseko is a winter destination that’s wildly popular thanks to its consistent high quality powdery snowfall. It also affords unspoilt nature, stunning landscapes and various outdoor activities. Besides winter sports, visitors can enjoy soothing onsen baths, top-notch restaurants and of course luxurious stays. Here are three relatively new accommodations with views of Mount Yotei (often referred to as ‘little Fuji’).
Setsu Niseko
Credit: Setsu Niseko
Setsu Niseko is the newest and largest full service hotel opening in December 2022 in the Niseko area. Travellers from Singapore can finally return to Hokkaido to enjoy the destination’s exceptional snowfall, night skiing as well as 48 km of trails across snow-covered mountains.
The property by luxury developer SC Global Developments offers 190-hotel residences situated between the mountain ranges of Mount Yotei and the slopes of Mount Annupuri. The apartment style accommodation which range from 40sqm studios to luxurious five-bedroom penthouses features the understated beauty of Japanese design. The spaces are meticulously designed for guests to soak in the views of Mount Yotei and Mount Annupuri ski slopes. And each apartment comes with fully equipped kitchens and laundry.
Besides contemporary luxuries, feast on sublime world class cuisine at the six different F&B outlets focusing on fresh, wholesome flavours of Hokkaido produce. December sees the opening of three new outlets including a café and two intimate fine dining restaurants. Sushi Kato INORI by renowned seafood veteran Toshiaki Kato presents the ultimate ocean to-table Japanese kaiseki cuisine. And Tempura Araki, a new sister restaurant to its two-Michelin star counterpart in Sapporo, offers omakase dining.
Other facilities include a huge wellness centre which makes the perfect spot to relax tired muscles after a day on the slopes. There are also indoor and outdoor onsens naturally rich in healing minerals, a spa lounge, sauna, gym, Studio En yoga studio and Rikka Spa managed in collaboration with Lapidem Tokyo. You can also request for customised experiences with holiday itineraries curated by a dedicated concierge team.
Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono
Credit: Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono
This year’s winter season is set to kick off on December 3. The 100-room Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono is located on the northeastern side of Mount Annupuri, providing guests with privacy in a picturesque environment alongside ski-in/ski-out convenience. The exclusive Hanazono side of Mount Annupuri is known for its exceptional powder snow, world-class skiing and snowboarding facilities as well as natural onsen hot springs.
The hotel also welcomes guests with creative festive menus, live music performances, and spectacular fireworks. Hanazono’s sky will be illuminated with fireworks every Saturday from December 24 to February 25. You can watch it after night skiing, at one of Park Hyatt’s dining venues or inside the comfort of your room.
From December 1, The Lounge offers a lovely winter signature afternoon tea – this is an exclusive collaboration between the leading ski brand K2, Pierre Hermé Paris, and Park Hyatt Niseko. Hokkaido-sourced ingredients are used in the treats by Pierre Hermé Paris, paired with a glass of champagne or seasonal mocktail.
If you’re craving for grilled seafood and local vegetables, head to Robata. From December 2, the restaurant also serves shabu shabu with Hokkaido beef and local vegetables. Alternatively, there’s Teppan which specialises in traditional Japanese and French-inspired teppan menus. This December, you can enjoy their premium ‘Hanazono course’ featuring A5-ranked Shiraoi beef fillet, fresh scallops, Hokkaido Kasube fish, and Teppan’s special garlic rice with hairy crab and salmon roe.
After all the activities, head to The Spa for some healing and relaxing therapies, and finally fall asleep in your room fitted with floor-to-ceiling windows. Nine of the suites come with private hot spring onsen. Situated on the hotel’s top floor, the exclusive Annupuri Suite and Yotei Suite offer views of Mount Yotei that can be enjoyed from the oversized onsen. Besides the hotel rooms, there are more than 60 Park Hyatt-branded residences – ranging from studios to three-bedroom apartments.
Chatrium Niseko
Credit: Chatrium Niseko
This integrated hotel and F&B complex is located in the very heart of Hirafu Village, and nestled in between Mt Yotei and Mt Annapuri. Situated within the iconic Shiki Niseko building, the hotel is close to the best ski slopes, restaurants and bars in town.
Chatrium Niseko features 72 well-appointed apartments, studios and penthouses – most with beautiful views of the mountains and slopes. All the contemporary suites are equipped with a large living space, kitchen and pantry for extra convenience.
Within the building complex, you will also find Hirafu’s only Michelin-starred restaurant, Kamimura which offers a refined Japanese-French-inspired menu. Other eateries include Kitchen Niseko, a lively place to enjoy western-Japanese cuisine, Green Farm Deli Café Roaster for farm-fresh foods, and a modern tapas restaurant.
Additionally, Rhythm Japan, Hirafu’s premier ski rental service, provides Chatrium Niseko guests with an in-house service centre and private lockers. The resort also includes a 24-hour fitness centre, indoor parking plus a convenient 24-hour market for snacks and goodies.
