You might venture to the powder-covered mountains of Niseko in Hokkaido for the skiing and snowboarding, but you’ll likely stay because of The Vale Niseko. One of the premier overnight accommodations in the heart of the Niseko Hirafu village, The Vale Niseko captivates with upscale lodging, a popular dining venue and the enviable designation of sitting mere feet from the slopes.
Ski season in these parts of northern Japan runs from December to late April. Still, if you’re heading to Niseko in the summer or fall, you’ll be delighted to learn that the 49-room getaway knows how to have a ball when the sun is out, too. With a heated outdoor pool and access to all sorts of warm-weather activities, the hotel easily maintains its persona as a high-end hideaway all throughout the year.
- The
hotel’s design aesthetic generally skews contemporary and alpine cool. You’ll
spot soft leather chairs next to a gorgeous table made from reclaimed wood. A glass-enclosed
fireplace fronts a stunning stone wall. Were it not for the tea sets, paper
lights and framed art, you could easily mistake the scene for something in
Aspen.
- The
Vale Niseko sits at the bottom of a family ski run, so it only makes sense that
the property is so welcoming to visitors of all ages and skiing levels.
- We
love that the Hokkaido hotel is just so versatile. Everyone knows how the place
hums along when it’s snowing, but on those days when it’s clear and 75 degrees,
staffers can happily set up adventurous horseback-riding trips or do-absolutely-nothing
afternoons by the pool.
- Vale
Snowsports is the onsite retailer that will have the replacement pair of gloves
you forgot or the new goggles you’ve been dreaming about purchasing.
- Though
the resort’s proximity to the snow-packed hills garners the biggest headlines,
the fact that four championship-level golf courses also sit nearby should
please those with dreams of bringing their clubs during warmer months.
- The
concierge team here can make most any request happen, be it setting up a back
massage after a grueling day on the slopes or organizing a backpacking trip to
nearby Sapporo City.
- The
accommodations range from general hotel rooms and apartments to massive penthouses.
No matter your choice, your unit will have a heated coat rack, a sofa and a
bathroom outfitted in stone and timber.
- Apartments
up the ante from the typical hotel room by coming equipped with a kitchen (Miele
cooktop, full-size refrigerator), a private balcony, a washer and dryer, and a
smart fireplace.
- To
make the ultimate splash at the Niseko hotel, reserve one of the two penthouses.
The 2,012-square-foot retreats don’t just wow with their spaciousness, but they
deliver wonderment through amenities (eight-seater dining room table, balcony
with private onsen) and awe-inspiring views of Mount Yotei.
- Once
you look up from your chair and see exactly how close you are to the mountain,
you’ll understand why Vale Bar & Grill is such a popular après-ski option. But
beyond the dynamic views, the establishment cooks up an international culinary menu
and pours an impressive list of libations.
- On
those days when you don’t feel like getting out of your plush Japanese robe,
order room service from Vale Bar & Grill.
Bar
Outdoor pool
Restaurants
