Hilton Niseko Village {JPN}
Jan 12, 2013, 2:16 am
#46
FlyerTalk Evangelist & Ambassador: China
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: DL DM/MM, UA 1K, AA Exp, HH Dia, WOH Glob, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, NA EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 17,419
Here right now for the 4th stay/ski season. It's is a great season again and tonnes of snow.
I can't see you being able to sneak a 3rd person in and them being comfortable, I would be paying the difference. There are no real benefits here except for maybe an upgrade as, you may note from the website, packages with breakfast are the same price as those sans breakfast.
From what I have seen the benefits are 2 bottles of water a day, upgrade (single category for me as a diamond) and the welcome drink is anything from the menu rather than the apple ginger ale.
The hotel is great but when they are at capacity it really shows. The onsen gets crowded and the restaurants book out. If coming during a busy time email in advance to book your dinner for the first night.
We have the dinner package again and I feel that the buffets have deteriorated in offerings yet again. Will probably still be back next year as the powder is the best in the world for boarding.
I can't see you being able to sneak a 3rd person in and them being comfortable, I would be paying the difference. There are no real benefits here except for maybe an upgrade as, you may note from the website, packages with breakfast are the same price as those sans breakfast.
From what I have seen the benefits are 2 bottles of water a day, upgrade (single category for me as a diamond) and the welcome drink is anything from the menu rather than the apple ginger ale.
The hotel is great but when they are at capacity it really shows. The onsen gets crowded and the restaurants book out. If coming during a busy time email in advance to book your dinner for the first night.
We have the dinner package again and I feel that the buffets have deteriorated in offerings yet again. Will probably still be back next year as the powder is the best in the world for boarding.
Going to the onsen at like 6am is a great way to prep for a ski day. No one there, sunrise, and eerily quiet (even if hotel is full, everyone goes at like 5-10pm).
Jan 12, 2013, 4:14 am
#47
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Thailand
Programs: Marriott - P; HH - G; Hyatt - P; Avis - LT First
Posts: 5,023
agree with the onsen comments.......
the Mrs. turns into a kid with the big giant snowman in back of the hotel as it's now 35C in here in BKK (so next weeks trip to Harbin where it's -35C will be quite a shock)........and of course Royce is on her shopping list..........
the Mrs. turns into a kid with the big giant snowman in back of the hotel as it's now 35C in here in BKK (so next weeks trip to Harbin where it's -35C will be quite a shock)........and of course Royce is on her shopping list..........
Well done, pretty much my top list in Asia for the winter. Niseko, Sapporo Ice Festival, Harbin ice Fest. ^
Very good post. Agree breakfast was great. I pretty much stuffed myself on breakfast and then avoided dinners here due to the price, much more reasonable places if you bus it to the main village area (free bus).
Going to the onsen at like 6am is a great way to prep for a ski day. No one there, sunrise, and eerily quiet (even if hotel is full, everyone goes at like 5-10pm).
Very good post. Agree breakfast was great. I pretty much stuffed myself on breakfast and then avoided dinners here due to the price, much more reasonable places if you bus it to the main village area (free bus).
Going to the onsen at like 6am is a great way to prep for a ski day. No one there, sunrise, and eerily quiet (even if hotel is full, everyone goes at like 5-10pm).
Jan 12, 2013, 10:49 am
#48
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 164
Hi,
Planning to stay here next Christmas for one week using points. Myself, wife and 2 kids (age 13 and 10). As a Diamond I was quoted a twin room for 3 adults for this period, but online reservation does not allow the 4th person.
Does anyone know whether they will accept 4 of us in one twin room when we turn up, or I'll have to double up my budget (point and/or cash) with 2 rooms?
Also what can I expect from an amenities' perspective (exec Floor, breakfast) etc for the family?
Many thanks.
Planning to stay here next Christmas for one week using points. Myself, wife and 2 kids (age 13 and 10). As a Diamond I was quoted a twin room for 3 adults for this period, but online reservation does not allow the 4th person.
Does anyone know whether they will accept 4 of us in one twin room when we turn up, or I'll have to double up my budget (point and/or cash) with 2 rooms?
Also what can I expect from an amenities' perspective (exec Floor, breakfast) etc for the family?
Many thanks.
Jan 12, 2013, 5:13 pm
#49
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: China
Posts: 817
Hi,
Planning to stay here next Christmas for one week using points. Myself, wife and 2 kids (age 13 and 10). As a Diamond I was quoted a twin room for 3 adults for this period, but online reservation does not allow the 4th person.
Does anyone know whether they will accept 4 of us in one twin room when we turn up, or I'll have to double up my budget (point and/or cash) with 2 rooms?
Also what can I expect from an amenities' perspective (exec Floor, breakfast) etc for the family?
Many thanks.
Planning to stay here next Christmas for one week using points. Myself, wife and 2 kids (age 13 and 10). As a Diamond I was quoted a twin room for 3 adults for this period, but online reservation does not allow the 4th person.
Does anyone know whether they will accept 4 of us in one twin room when we turn up, or I'll have to double up my budget (point and/or cash) with 2 rooms?
Also what can I expect from an amenities' perspective (exec Floor, breakfast) etc for the family?
Many thanks.
Rooms on the exec floor are not much different from the standard floors, only with a slightly different more "executive" interior.
Breakfast has been reviewed in the previous posts, i've always enjoyed it with the many japanese, asian, and western food options. It gets quite busy after 7.30 and you may end up having to wait in line to get in.
Jan 13, 2013, 9:34 am
#50
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 164
Hi,
Thanks for the feedback.
Does this mean the hotel management will not allow 2 Adults and 2 children in a standard twin room even if the guest can manage? According to HH website there are no point+cash options available for the larger rooms and if the hotel will not be flexible on having 2+2 in one std twin then booking 2x may be the only option.
Thanks for the feedback.
Does this mean the hotel management will not allow 2 Adults and 2 children in a standard twin room even if the guest can manage? According to HH website there are no point+cash options available for the larger rooms and if the hotel will not be flexible on having 2+2 in one std twin then booking 2x may be the only option.
Jan 14, 2013, 12:29 am
#51
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: PVG
Programs: MU Platinum, HH Diamond
Posts: 823
I just got back a couple of days ago and agree that:
- the snow is fantastic, to the point of having too much almost. We were there 4 nights and it snowed every day. Sometimes the conditions (heavy snow, low visibility) made it painful to ski
- service was good, with lots of English-speaking staff
- I tried most of the restaurants. They were good, but expensive.
- room (normal double) was small but fine for 2 people (maybe with a baby). For 4 adults it would be definitely crowded
- I was there using points; didn't get upgraded due to my (gold) status. Only benefit I saw was free internet. 2 days after checkout I don't see any points credit my account even though I spent like 2 grand on incidentals, and charged it to my Hilton Amex even with the foreign exchange fee... I have the Hyatt card with no fee too so would not be a happy camper if I end up not getting points from this.
- the snow is fantastic, to the point of having too much almost. We were there 4 nights and it snowed every day. Sometimes the conditions (heavy snow, low visibility) made it painful to ski
- service was good, with lots of English-speaking staff
- I tried most of the restaurants. They were good, but expensive.
- room (normal double) was small but fine for 2 people (maybe with a baby). For 4 adults it would be definitely crowded
- I was there using points; didn't get upgraded due to my (gold) status. Only benefit I saw was free internet. 2 days after checkout I don't see any points credit my account even though I spent like 2 grand on incidentals, and charged it to my Hilton Amex even with the foreign exchange fee... I have the Hyatt card with no fee too so would not be a happy camper if I end up not getting points from this.
Jan 14, 2013, 1:22 am
#52
FlyerTalk Evangelist & Ambassador: China
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: DL DM/MM, UA 1K, AA Exp, HH Dia, WOH Glob, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, NA EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 17,419
Beware, Harbin is freezing. I mean freezing. I was so cold, but loved every minute of being outside. So bring tons of clothes, and when you think you have enough bring more. Seriously.
Jan 14, 2013, 1:23 am
#53
FlyerTalk Evangelist & Ambassador: China
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: DL DM/MM, UA 1K, AA Exp, HH Dia, WOH Glob, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, NA EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 17,419
Twin rooms are very small (especially bathroom), two adults and two kids would feel very cramped. You may be able to pull it off in a Panorama room, which are much bigger with larger bathroom (with tub), separate from the toilet.
Rooms on the exec floor are not much different from the standard floors, only with a slightly different more "executive" interior.
Breakfast has been reviewed in the previous posts, i've always enjoyed it with the many japanese, asian, and western food options. It gets quite busy after 7.30 and you may end up having to wait in line to get in.
Rooms on the exec floor are not much different from the standard floors, only with a slightly different more "executive" interior.
Breakfast has been reviewed in the previous posts, i've always enjoyed it with the many japanese, asian, and western food options. It gets quite busy after 7.30 and you may end up having to wait in line to get in.
I just got back a couple of days ago and agree that:
- the snow is fantastic, to the point of having too much almost. We were there 4 nights and it snowed every day. Sometimes the conditions (heavy snow, low visibility) made it painful to ski
- service was good, with lots of English-speaking staff
- I tried most of the restaurants. They were good, but expensive.
- room (normal double) was small but fine for 2 people (maybe with a baby). For 4 adults it would be definitely crowded
- I was there using points; didn't get upgraded due to my (gold) status. Only benefit I saw was free internet. 2 days after checkout I don't see any points credit my account even though I spent like 2 grand on incidentals, and charged it to my Hilton Amex even with the foreign exchange fee... I have the Hyatt card with no fee too so would not be a happy camper if I end up not getting points from this.
- the snow is fantastic, to the point of having too much almost. We were there 4 nights and it snowed every day. Sometimes the conditions (heavy snow, low visibility) made it painful to ski
- service was good, with lots of English-speaking staff
- I tried most of the restaurants. They were good, but expensive.
- room (normal double) was small but fine for 2 people (maybe with a baby). For 4 adults it would be definitely crowded
- I was there using points; didn't get upgraded due to my (gold) status. Only benefit I saw was free internet. 2 days after checkout I don't see any points credit my account even though I spent like 2 grand on incidentals, and charged it to my Hilton Amex even with the foreign exchange fee... I have the Hyatt card with no fee too so would not be a happy camper if I end up not getting points from this.
Jan 14, 2013, 6:02 am
#54
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Thailand
Programs: Marriott - P; HH - G; Hyatt - P; Avis - LT First
Posts: 5,023
Mar 12, 2013, 7:03 pm
#55
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: USA
Posts: 63
Old post but just in case anyone else is still looking...
Came back a few weeks back from a stay @ Hilton Niseko. Was upgraded to a Mt Yotei view rm with two beds. Did NOT request for a third bed but there it was - a third rollaway bed tucked under one of the two beds. Same mattress as the normal beds, even!
One can always just book for 2 adults, then try luck to see if there's a surprise third bed.
Came back a few weeks back from a stay @ Hilton Niseko. Was upgraded to a Mt Yotei view rm with two beds. Did NOT request for a third bed but there it was - a third rollaway bed tucked under one of the two beds. Same mattress as the normal beds, even!
One can always just book for 2 adults, then try luck to see if there's a surprise third bed.
Apr 16, 2013, 2:05 pm
#57
Join Date: Jul 1999
Programs: QF WP, AA EXP
Posts: 3,520
There isn't much to upgrade to. There are really only three room types here: regular, deluxe, and panorama, and within regular and deluxe they are broken down by view (Mt. Yotei or not). You might get an upgrade to a deluxe room (just slightly different furnishings but nothing spectacular). If it's snowing you may never see Mt. Yotei (I didn't on my last visit in Feb). There is only one Panorama room per floor, and I've only been upgraded to that once as Diamond, so your chances of that are not good if the hotel is full.
Nov 6, 2013, 7:07 pm
#59
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: China
Posts: 817
Nov 7, 2013, 1:21 pm
#60
Join Date: Jul 1999
Programs: QF WP, AA EXP
Posts: 3,520
Yes. This will be my 4th consecutive winter visiting. Also have noticed how it gets busier each year, but still not too bad. The hotel is well run and continues to do a very nice breakfast. Really enjoy this property.
Love getting out to the restaurants in Hirafu and especially Kutchan.
I've pretty much dumped Hilton after the devaluation and continuing bleak customer service to Diamonds (compared to Hyatt and SPG). But this is one property that I still enjoy going to.
Love getting out to the restaurants in Hirafu and especially Kutchan.
I've pretty much dumped Hilton after the devaluation and continuing bleak customer service to Diamonds (compared to Hyatt and SPG). But this is one property that I still enjoy going to.