The Windsor Hotel Toya, Vignette Collection by IHG

I left feeling rested, and the staff were attentive throughout. The peaceful atmosphere, spectacular views from the windows, and clean, well-kept indoor and outdoor onsen made this a relaxing stay. The rooms have an older feel, but they seem cared for rather than dated, and the hotel itself is gorgeous with lovely amenities. There's a free shuttle to the hotel from Toya Station, with a stop at Toya Onsen. You need to reserve ahead. It runs at several set times each day, though a trip won't run if nobody has requested it. My frustration was how little my memberships and status seemed to count. They recognized my status and upgraded my room, but as an employee with a lounge membership and plenty of food rewards, I got few other perks. There isn't a lounge here, food rewards can't be used at any restaurant, and the half-off offer applies only at the French restaurant and for the western breakfast. The meals are very expensive. One dinner cost me more than my whole two-night employee-rate stay, so my status felt pretty useless. Still, it's a worthwhile place to stay for the views, and I did feel relaxed here.

The service was warm and attentive, and the dining paired Hokkaido flavors with elegant presentation. Our room was comfortable and spacious, with a broad view of the lake that made it easy to slow down and enjoy the quiet. Set above Lake Toya, The Windsor Hotel Toya feels peaceful and refined. The surrounding mountains and panoramic lake scenery are memorable, especially around sunrise and sunset. The atmosphere has a sense of natural luxury, and time seems to move more slowly here. A lovely choice if you're looking for comfort, good food, and a calm way to take in Hokkaido's scenery. Highly recommended for a memorable stay above the clouds.

Our lake-view room, Room 547, was lovely, and we were glad we stayed despite the hotel's hilltop location. It was already dark around 4:30 pm, and after turning in early because we were tired, we were surprised by fireworks at 8:45. The show lasted about 15 minutes. It was fairly small and the lake area was dark, but still a nice treat. Breakfast in the Japanese restaurant was calm, with fewer guests than we expected. We chose the Japanese set over the Western one and really enjoyed the beautifully presented traditional meal. The staff were friendly from check-in through the restaurant, and even the entrance team were kind when we checked out. Check-in itself was smooth, with a thoughtful welcome drink. Getting from the parking garage to reception was the awkward part. The car park connects to the hotel, but there's no lift there, and we carried our bags up the stairs. The lobby was quiet with no staff around when we arrived, and unclear signs meant we missed the lift tucked in a corner. We ended up hauling our luggage up the long stairs to reception on Level 2. Staff later told us they could have arranged help, which would have been useful to know sooner. Unload your bags at the hotel entrance before parking. Clearer signs from the garage, staff on Level 1, or staff proactively offering help after seeing cars enter through CCTV would make arrivals easier. The building is beautiful and grand, almost like a palace, with mountains around it and tranquil Toya Lake below. The cool weather added to the peaceful feel. We enjoyed the stay and wished we had another night to see more of the facilities and surroundings. Thank you, Windsor Hotel Toya Lake, for the hospitality and setting. I'd be happy to return. 22.10.25

Getting around was a hassle. Unless you rent a car, you're dependent on the hotel's shuttle, which doesn't run often. I had to pay 8200 yen for a cab to catch my JR train at Toya station. The onsen felt mediocre, basically just a large public bath. The gym was small, with only four treadmills and no weights at all. I found the restaurants inside the hotel really bad value. Room service was especially ridiculous: 3000 yen for eel rice with only two small pieces of eel. English was another problem. Only a few receptionists spoke limited English, and most staff in the restaurants, breakfast area, and gym couldn't communicate in English and came across as kind of rude.