Hilton Niseko

Also spent one night at Niseko Hilton which is situated walking distance to a Gondola for first tracks.

Great hotel albeit slightly dated.

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At checkin greeted as Diamond including personal greeting by duty manager and upgrade to deluxe room (though no mountain view). Told Diamond amenity would be sent to room. No exec lounge (although a welcome drink voucher) and breakfast buffet at Melt.

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Did not appear to be any suites – all guest floors 5-18 appeared to have the same numbering.

Smallish room with two single beds and a very small 4sqm wet room style bathroom. The main sink is actually outside next to the door.

Good bathroom amenities including hair tonic, aftershave, shaving cream and razor. Request to take room towels to the onsen.

Fridge but no minibar contents but relatively well priced shop on level 1.

Flatscscreen tv but only 7 free to air channels. Powerpoints were us/japan style only but plentiful. Wired Internet only (free for deluxe up) but good free wifi in the public areas.

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Great onsen with indoor and outdoor springs.

Only room letdown was no master light switch on the bedhead, in room wifi and no ipod/ stereo in connections.

Hotel has a very regular bus/shuttle to Hirafu (including late night returns to 1am)

Snowgum Lodge Niseko and Niseko

Niseko

Had prebooked a Whiteliner package including return transport and 4 day all mountain ski pass (includes Hanazano, Niseko Hirafu, Niseko Village and Annapuri which all share different slopes off the same main peak). Had absolutely awesome powder snow my first two days with 20+cm overnight, then a windy third day and blue sky (rare in Niseko ) fourth day.

Snowgum Lodge Niseko

Spent five nights at this Australian run lodge (alongside its sibling Ramat Niseko). Somewhat out of town in East Hirafu but daily lodge first tracks bus to Niseko Gondola, regular half hour resort bus to a stop only 50M away and late at night only a 10min walk or US$10 cab fare.

Simple lodge accommodation with mostly shared showers and bathrooms but super comfortable beds and bedding, great breakfasts and a good communal atmosphere. The hosts could not have been more accommodating picking up from bus, running dinner shuttles and organising activities including onsen and snow mobileing.

Snowgum is next to Ramat Niseko which is owned by the same people and has a bar, pool table, darts and a good value three course meal every couple of nights. Both lodges have WiFi, games machines and a number of tv’s with plenty of dvd’s to watch.

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Niseko itself is awesome powder and a great experience – definitely on the go back to list.

For those who go recommend the buffet lunches at Melt at the Hilton Niseko Village and also the Buffet Restuarant at Annapuri.