Hinode Hills Niseko Village, Curio Collection by Hilton

That gondola being just steps from the lobby made a huge difference on powder days. Niseko Village is a quieter part of the mountain, but you can ski from the top to the other bases, and the free hotel shuttle made getting to Hirafu for dinner easy. I stayed five nights at this Hilton property for a ski trip to Niseko. I’d been unsure about the room after reading some reviews, but ours was impeccably clean and surprisingly spacious for two people with lots of luggage. The onsen was another highlight, especially the outdoor bath with its mountain views. The women’s area also had spa-like amenities.

The best parts were the onsen and having the gondola just steps from the hotel. The breakfast buffet was decent, with a mix of Japanese and Western options. But before 10am, the only ground-floor place to get food or coffee was an outdoor kiosk in subzero weather. Rooms are small, which isn’t unusual for Japan, and ours felt very dated, with an unpleasant color scheme and stains on the carpet. The sink was oddly placed outside the bathroom by the entrance, right over carpet that gets wet. The bathroom itself was old, though we used the onsen for bathing. There isn’t much close by beyond a small group of shops and restaurants, reached by icy steps that seemed treacherous and unmaintained.

The staff were attentive and helpful, and there was a good range of food options. Breakfast was delightful, with a panoramic mountain view, and the lobby bar played really good jazz in the evening. The Onsen was pristine, with a beautiful mountain view, and made a lovely place to soak tired muscles after skiing. The hotel’s location is fantastic for ski in/out, with valet service and the gondola right outside. I thought the spa service was good, though my second appointment was mistakenly booked for my departure date instead of the date I was staying. It’s a very good hotel.

The restaurant food was good, though I wouldn’t call it amazing, and breakfast had a good variety. Most of the employees we spoke with were friendly and helpful. The onsen was a nice touch too, although, like much of the hotel, it felt tired and could use a refresh. We stayed for two weeks, and the rooms felt small for that length of time. There wasn’t much space for our things, so we mostly lived out of our suitcases. The hotel is in an isolated area, which could be a plus or a minus depending on what you want. Since there are so many rooms, the queues for boots and boards got massive in the second week when it was busy. The lifts also filled up quickly in the morning, and getting one could be a challenge. The reception bar got really busy while the lifts were open. It was annoying that most people there seemed to be visiting to warm up and bring their own food rather than staying at the hotel. Overall, it was a decent experience, but when busy, having so many rooms meant queues for pretty much everything.