Monkey Rider

We were left waiting outside on a cold, snowy night for our ride, after being refused service and repeatedly told to leave the property. We arrived at 9:30pm, while a small group was still drinking at the bar, but staff said the lounge had become an “exclusive private lounge.” The property advertises a lounge and bar open until 10:30pm, and its bar doesn’t serve the public. That felt at odds with the hospitality the business promotes. If service is selective, the public listings should make that clear so potential guests aren’t misled.

The Monkey Rider was a great place to stay, with a good location, comfortable rooms, and solid service. The staff were the main highlight. Hue was a pleasure to deal with and made all of us from Australia feel at home. Whenever we ran into an issue at Monkey Rider, Hue handled it with a good attitude. Keep it up 👍👍 5 stars

We spent a great week and a half at Monkey Rider as a group of four. Brad and Hugh were wonderful hosts and always glad to answer our questions about the area. The lodge sits right in Echoland, with lots of bus stops for getting to the different snow resorts around the valley. I’d recommend Monkey Rider to anyone planning a Hakuba trip!

The bar, heated floors, and Hugh’s excellent playlist made the living room a great place to hang out, but the hosts were the real highlight. Brad, Hugh, and Akira looked after my group so well during our week there. They’re helpful whether you need to get to mountain shuttles or just want somewhere cozy to relax. When I had a crippling injury, Brad helped me get around Hakuba without hesitation. I’d give the place more than five stars if I could. Thanks to Brad, Hugh, and Akira for making our Hakuba trip even better. I’d love to return on a future visit to Japan.