Yumoto Niseko Prince Hotel Hirafutei

The changing room is spacious, and the staff were nice. As a non-guest, I visited the onsen and found it lovely and big, with both indoor and outdoor baths. Screens give some privacy at the outdoor bath, though you can watch skiers on the chairlift through the gaps. I recommend going at 1:30, when it opens, if you want the place to yourself.

Being right by the slopes was a real plus, with all the traffic and chaos around the bus station. Still, we wouldn’t stay here again. We’re in our late 40s now, and the backpacker, ski-bum fun of rough motels, vans, and tents isn’t what we want or what our aging bodies need anymore. That kind of stay might suit you, though, so I’m giving it three stars. There were plenty of mixed reviews about the Prince, so we booked anyway, and it was fine. The property is really rundown inside and out, and our twin room with an onsen was very small. Sitting in the onsen was nice, but it looked straight toward the hotel across the parking lot, so they could see in too. The blinds were so old they were stuck together and wouldn’t close. It’s an expensive place that doesn’t feel like a nice hotel, just somewhere to sleep.

The cleaning staff member's behavior was what made the stay unpleasant. A note had been left outside our door, and my husband just read it to see if it was for us. One staff member yelled that it wasn’t meant for him. I don’t understand how guests are supposed to know whether a note on their door applies to them if they aren’t allowed to read it. We paid ¥60,000 for one night and were disappointed by the poor amenities and high price. The property itself also looked old and not well maintained for that rate. We love Japan and will definitely return to Niseko, but we won’t stay at this hotel again.

I went for a day visit to the onsen and paid 3,000 yen. If I hadn’t paid that, I would have left after five minutes. During ski season, the men’s side felt like a pub, with groups of foreigners talking loudly everywhere. I could make out every word from inside the closed sauna, and there were beer cans around and towels on the floor. I don’t know what more the hotel can do, since there are already plenty of signs spelling out the rules. It’s a shame, because without those guys it would be a delightful onsen, with a great view of the slopes. The few Japanese people there looked very uncomfortable but, politely, said nothing. I’m a foreigner too, which made it even more uncomfortable to feel like I was part of a group of inconsiderate idiots.