Originally Posted by
goodtasting
Just stayed here a couple days ago
Booked for 60k/night for 2 nights, so no resort fees. With Diamond status, I ended up with an upgrade to a Twin Deluxe Family with a Mt Yotei-facing room from a standard twin. Received two drink tickets at check in (1 to use while waiting for room, and another after checking in).
Checked in around 1pm, checked out around 3pm on the last day and used the onsen afterwards before getting on the bus. Breakfast was decent but nothing amazing (free though). Enjoyed the room but agreed with the other reports of it feeling a bit dated.
Loved the onsen (especially outside at night while watching the snow fall), used it twice a day and didn't use the shower in my room a single time. All of mnredfox's recommendations are on point! No executive lounge.
For this trip, it was my SO's first time snowboarding. We rented the gear the day before (around 430pm) and were able to snowboard for the rest of the day in the beginner area (didn't get a lift pass), thus gaining some free time compared to literally only having the equipment for the day of. Download the Niseko Village White Guide online for all the info on ski/snowboarding, lift passes, food, other activities, etc
Ate at the Sisam (made reservations in advance) and Mt Yotei (called in a couple hours before) restaurants to use my Hilton Aspire resort credit and while the meals were covered, I'd say they were a bit overpriced for the quality (but still, the convenience of not having to go out was good)
Best of all was having the gondola, equipment rental, etc right outside.
Used the Hilton Shuttle once to go to Hirafu to go to the conbini and back in the evening which was easy
Booked my transport to Niseko via the Chuo Bus service. 4500 yen for Chitose Station to Niseko to Sapporo per person. I recall this was the cheapest option since most of the other buses I saw were 4000 yen or so one way
Glad you had a good trip. Sounds like you did everything right. 60K/N in the winter is actually a good deal in today's day and age (I've seen 95K/N now as standard for Hilton Resorts). I've always used Chuo service - works great. Used to have to call and speak in Japanese, now the internet reservation system is much better.
My ONLY recommendation would be to not snowboard or ski for the first time at Niskeo. =) The snow is too great to spend time learning on a groomer!
Thanks for sharing.