The Land of the Rising Ski Lift
The hills will be alive to the sound of ski lifts this 1st December, when the highly anticipated, all-suite Hinode Hills flings open its doors in Niseko Village, Japan.
Located at the southern base of the 1308m Mount Niseko Annupuri, Hinode Hills is the latest, luxurious addition to the cluster of YTL hotels in the Niseko Village, a world-class ski area with a combined 2,191 acres of skiable terrain. And although Japan mightn’t be the first place you think of when considering skiing options, Niseko is definitely comparable to the likes of Aspen, Colorado and its own sister city, St. Moritz, Switzerland.
It is here you’ll find the alpine likes of The Green Leaf Niseko Village, Hilton Niseko Village (aka ‘Best Ski Resort Hotel in Japan’, World Ski Awards 2013-2015), the Niseko Village Snow School and the Kasara Niseko Village Townhouse. It’s an integrated resort teeming with spa and onsen facilities, replete with a diverse retail and dining hub, indoor and outdoor attractions, and a skifield famous for its dry powder at low-altitude.
With 79 luxury rooms and suites and concierge facilities, the elegant Hinode features a wabi-sabi aesthetic, and boasts some truly amazing views, along with the usual ski-in and ski-out access, and other ski services on hand. As it’s located adjacent to the Upper Village Gondola, there’s easy lift access too – no need to walk, drive or hop on a shuttle bus to get around.
It’s what you’d expect from the YTL Hotel group, which owns and manages the prestigious likes of the Eastern & Oriental Express luxury train, the Pangkor Laut Resort, voted world’s best resort 2003 by Condé Nast Traveller UK, and The Gainsborough Bath Spa (2017 Condé Nast Traveller Awards World’s Top 100). Says Luke Hurford, Senior Vice President of Strategy at YTL Hotels, “Hinode Hills raises the bar for luxury developments in Niseko and is committed to providing guests with a truly integrated and seamless experience. You will have the luxury of having your ski school instructors meeting you at your door, to ski-out directly to the ski area and lifts beside the hotel, the convenience of on-site gear rental and the advantage of the gondola beside the hotel to whisk you away to the village dining and shopping area.”
Hinode Hills is open now for reservations, starting at 40,000 Japanese Yen per night.