Kimamaya Boutique Hotel

Breakfast in the beautiful barn was excellent, and after a full day of off-piste skiing, the onsen and massage were just right for unwinding. Peter and his team make Kimamaya feel like a special place. This was my first stay at Hotel Kimamaya, and I hope it won’t be my last. The hotel is a personal little boutique spot with a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. The staff are friendly and know the area well, whether you need a takeaway pizza for a quiet evening, a table at the local Izakaya, or advice on where to ski in that day’s weather. A special shout-out to Osaka-san, our ninja driver, who got us to and from the gondola safely each day and loaded and unloaded the skis incredibly fast. Highly recommended.

We only stayed two nights at Kimamaya, in summer, which is clearly off season, but there was still plenty of outdoor activity to do. The rooms are spacious, and Peter is one of the kindest hotel managers I’ve met. The hotel has its own relaxed, stylish atmosphere. Highly recommend it outside winter too.

Peter and Haruka were a big part of what made our five nights at Kimamaya so good. They gave us helpful ideas for things to do around town and even helped book reservations for the week. Their service was exceptional. The hotel itself is beautiful and set up to make daily skiing easy. We could leave all our gear in the dry room instead of carrying it upstairs, and a free private shuttle took us to the slopes whenever we were ready. I’d strongly recommend Kimamaya to anyone visiting Niseko.

The shuttle took us to the mountain every morning and brought us back whenever we needed. Breakfast next door at the barn was delicious each day, with Japanese granola, fresh croissants, eggs, wedge-shaped hash browns, tomatoes, mushrooms, and especially light, fluffy French toast. You can get there through a warm tunnel. Peter and Haruka made us feel at home, shared restaurant suggestions, and gave us tips for getting around and planning for next year’s busy season. The place is so convenient, with great service, on-site hot tubs, well-appointed rooms, and a ski and snowboard area where you can warm up jackets, boots, and helmets. We’ll be back!