Hotel Abest Happo Aldea

The team is what really made this stay great. Luke, Tom, Callum and Luke’s mate from Perth and Sydney, along with the OG locals, kept our rooms crystal clean and made sure we got to the ski fields, shops and surrounds, and back home safely. They also put on an elite buffet breakfast every day, and we had a couple of great Japanese dinners in when we were cooked. Kudos to the chef. We stayed seven nights in February. The highlights were the indoor and outdoor onsen, the morning and afternoon shuttles, and the breakfast, especially the optimally sweetened yoghurt and fresh local fruit. Once we figured out the valley bus timetable, we also realized we were close to the first stop for buses to other ski fields, which fill up quickly. Stoked, we’ll definitely be back. Cheers Lyss & Ben.

After skiing, the outdoor hot bath and those breathtaking mountain views were hard to forget. The onsen was one of the best we’ve experienced. We also loved spending evenings in the communal room by the log fire, with its piano. It was cosy and welcoming, our favourite spot for a drink, a chat and some music. Breakfast had lots to choose from, and we loved the yoghurt with different fruits and the custard doughnuts. We still talk about those! Shotime was always there to help, especially when we wanted more. The shuttle service worked perfectly, so planning our ski days around its timetable was easy and stress-free. From the start, reception staff including Yuika, Masa, and Lamsal made us feel welcome. Yuika was so warm and friendly, always greeting us with a lovely smile. Her local tips were excellent, including a dinner recommendation for the best ramen we’ve ever tried. The whole team was caring and always ready to help. Big shoutout to Tom, Luke, Bram, Callum and Tia! We met some incredible people here and will treasure the memories. Hotel Abest Aldea Happo made the trip so special. We miss it already, are planning to return next year, and would wholeheartedly recommend it to friends and family.

The hotel’s infrastructure needs work, and on an honest assessment against three-star standards, there are clear areas to improve. We stayed as a family, and the location is quite far from the town center, so the shuttle is essential. At an important moment, though, the service felt inflexible. My husband and I had to carry ski gear for two adults and three children through heavy snowfall for around 350 meters to the rental shop the hotel recommended. That meant five pairs of skis, boots, helmets and poles. A short ride to the shop would have shown more care and made a real difference. In the room, a burned-out bulb and carpet needing maintenance made a poor first impression. The bathroom has a TOTO toilet, as is standard in Japan, but it’s extremely basic, all plastic, and more like a boat bathroom, closer to a two-star standard than a three-star one. The staff are very kind and attentive, which deserves recognition. Many of the younger employees seem to be university students on winter work programs. They’re polite and well intentioned, but don’t seem structurally prepared or sufficiently trained for the operational demands of a hotel serving families and international guests. It’s a simple hotel run by a very dedicated family who genuinely try to make the stay pleasant. Investment in the facilities, some service adjustments and more flexibility could improve the experience significantly and bring it closer to three-star expectations.

We arrived without a reservation for a night, Feb 7th-8th, and the staff were polite and helpful. Lamsal was especially thoughtful. The breakfast was included in the price and was good. The rooms were comfortable but very simple, and the bathroom looked like one on a boat. There are good restaurants and bars within a short walk, but make sure you have a car, as we did. The onsen was one of the best, with an outdoor bath and sauna.