Okushiga Kogen Hotel

The common areas are attractive and have incredible mountain views, but the hotel feels outdated. My room was cold and dusty, and the bathroom smelled horrible and was very difficult to get in and out of. There aren't many food choices. We tried the lounge, where the pizza tasted frozen and the music didn't suit the odd atmosphere. Breakfast was an okay buffet. The rental shop also closed for a couple of hours in the middle of the day, which wasn't convenient.

The rooms were neat and clean, and the staff outside the ski shop were friendly and helpful. The skiing around Shigakogen was awesome, and I really enjoyed the area. This is a quiet resort that could be perfect if you're a couple or older, but it wouldn't be my choice with friends or as a single traveler. It's basically at the end of the road, a ways from other hotels and Ichinose. I didn't see many Australians, which can be a good thing sometimes. The restaurants weren't particularly good, and breakfast was basic. I was hoping for good Japanese food but didn't find it here. The young guy in the ski shop seemed completely uninterested and served us grudgingly. I wanted to give the resort and hotel five stars, but there are drawbacks to know about.

Breakfast and dinner were the highlight of our stay. Still, I wouldn't come back. The rooms are old, and despite asking for a double or queen, we got just one single bed. Service was poor: nobody helped with bags at check in or out, so we had to drag them 200m through six inches of snow. Doors were often jammed open or shut because nobody cleared the snow. Buses are infrequent, and there's nowhere to buy supplies, no pharmacy, mini-mart, or good cafe. Apart from the snow monkeys, there's no good sightseeing spot either. If you're not skiing or are taking a rest day, you're stuck. The room felt worn out, with an uncomfortably small toilet. It got so hot that we had to open the window, which isn't practical during a snowstorm. There were no power outlets for charging devices, so I had to run a supplied extension cord across the room. There was no international power option, such as 50 Hz or 220 V. The ski locker only fits one set of skis, so a couple is out of luck, and the room was cramped enough that people kept bumping into each other. With guests having so few options, the prices felt like they were taking advantage.

The location is among the best in the region, with fantastic skiing right outside the door. We stayed eight nights as a group of five and had a fantastic trip. Breakfast and dinner were excellent, and the service was exceptional. The front office and back office teams went out of their way to make the trip work. One front office staff member tracked down an item I'd lost on the plane and got it back to me within a day. The onsen was fantastic, and having access to a neighboring hotel's pool was a nice extra. The bar staff kept busy making cocktails for us all week, though their fire making skills could use some work. That's my only complaint. I'd highly recommend the stay.