Wadano Forest Hotel & Apartments

The price was good for the area, and the hotel covered the basics well. Beds were comfortable, facilities clean, and there was plenty of breakfast each morning. We liked the onsens. Izzy and Charlie at the front desk were great and did their best to help us. Some of the website claims felt a bit stretched. The bar was only available on demand, and the one time we asked, reception offered us beers for cash. Transfers ran only before 10 in the morning, when the slopes closed in the afternoon, and for a short window for dinner trips into town. There wasn't flexibility outside those times, and even within them we felt like an inconvenience for asking. On several occasions, ten people were put into an eight-seat van, so some had to sit in the boot. The local town was a 30-minute walk away, and we found it almost impossible to get a taxi back. That left us walking uphill on black ice each night. If your group can't manage that walk, I wouldn't recommend staying here. Somewhere closer to the bus terminal would be a better choice.

The rooms were warm, clean, and comfortable, and breakfast was fresh with plenty brought out throughout the meal. It was a lovely, quiet spot in the forest, still only a short walk from the ski lifts. The staff were always smiling and happy to help with tips, rides, and recommendations, especially Joanie. I had a fantastic stay and would book here again next ski season.

The onsen was great, and the staff were super friendly and helpful. We stayed with our two kids and found the beds comfortable, though the rooms felt small and a bit dated. The family suite's two connected rooms and dividing door worked well when the kids went to sleep before us. Breakfast was basic, with continental options and cooked food, but there was plenty. Wi-Fi was quite slow, and for us the value was probably average. The hotel is away from the busy town centre, with several good restaurants within walking distance, though it's best to book ahead. You can walk to and from Sakka lift for Happo One skifield. The hotel has a couple of shuttle vans, mostly driven by expats, which can take you to the lift, town, bus station, or supermarket if booked in advance. During busy periods, getting a ride back after skiing can be difficult. Shuttles to other skifields also drop you at Sakka lift, so it's easy to reach other areas.

After a big day skiing, having an on-site onsen made recovery easy, and the hotel restaurant serves nabe, which was just right after a cold day on the mountain. The rooms were quiet, warm, and comfortable, with the most comfortable beds I've slept on anywhere in Japan. Convenience is a real strength here. The hotel runs buses to the ski slopes, shops, restaurants, and transport hubs, so getting around takes no planning. It's true ski-in/ski-out, and there are great restaurants, bars, and cafés within a 100-metre walk. Joanie is a wonderful host. The service was impeccable, and the whole team went above and beyond to make everything smooth and memorable. Wadano Forest gets a great balance of comfort, convenience, and calm. I honestly wouldn't stay anywhere else in Hakuba.