Hoshino Resorts Bandaisan Onsen Hotel

I had a great stay. The resort sits right at the foot of the mountain, so it was easy to get to plenty of lifts and try different kinds of slopes. The food was good, and the staff were incredibly helpful. When I left my phone on the bus back from a nearby town, they went out of their way to contact the private bus company and help me get it back. The service was impeccable.

The only real bright spot was the two mountains, with trails that were fun for both beginners and experienced skiers. The resort itself was a huge letdown. The room was shabby and dark, with tears and stains on the carpet and walls. Cleaning was only offered every three days, even for taking out trash, and when I called the front desk, they hung up because nobody could speak English. Dinner meant the single buffet restaurant, and walk-ins weren't accepted, so you had to book ahead. The food selection didn't seem worth 4,900 yen. Another option was booking a shuttle the day before for the 30-minute ride to restaurants nearby. Laundry was a nightmare too: just three washers and three dryers for the whole resort, with people lining up in a cramped area where the air felt limited.

The ski conditions were fine, though I did hit some very icy slopes, which I know the hotel can't control. The lifts start closing around 3 pm, so by 4 there isn't much to do on the property, and little nearby either. We spent three nights here, and at check-in each evening we were told dinner was full apart from the 8 pm slot. We weren't even allowed in five minutes early. I hadn't realized whether reservations could be made before arrival, and didn't expect the dining choices to be so restricted. There's only one restaurant on site. Once places near the slopes close, around 3 pm, there's nowhere else to eat beyond bar snacks like nachos. By 4, those slope-side places were already closed, and even the cup noodles at the souvenir shop had sold out. We ended up eating expensive boxed snack souvenirs so we wouldn't go hungry. The meals were decent, but breakfast and dinner were almost identical all three days, with maybe one or two dishes changing. With just one restaurant, that felt below par. Other hotels I've stayed at in Hakuba, Gala Yuzawa, and elsewhere in Japan at least rotate around a quarter of the dishes. The staff generally tried to be friendly, but I was hungry all three nights. If you're visiting, I'd bring cup noodles. The room was spacious by Japanese standards but dated, with things like a tiny 26-inch TV. Housekeeping wasn't provided unless you stayed four nights or more. They only changed towels and took out trash. That didn't bother me much, but I was surprised since I thought Hoshino was a premium brand. The hardware is old, and while the staff were friendly, management didn't seem up to scratch. I'd heard so many good things about Hoshino, but this was my first stay with them, and now I'm reconsidering whether I'll stay with the group again.

The rooms were perfect, the food was great, and I really liked the sake bar. The resort is beautiful, with plenty of amenities, and the staff were so friendly and helpful. They put a lot of effort into creating a great atmosphere for guests. I absolutely loved staying here and would recommend it 10/10.