thursday 1 Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 I entered the SJ Giveaway for the Niseko Higashiyama stay thinking it would be a good chance to take a look at the place since my last visit in 2005 and even if I didn't win, I'd be there to take a look anyway. Much to my surprise I won it and was notified on CNY day. What a New Year present. We traveled mid March, into Sapporo and two and a half hour coach ride into Niseko. Entering the hotel, I noticed it had gotten a lot brighter than before, thanks to the lobby café lighting. Nice intro for things to come. Looking around, I got into the gondola at the first chance. Mental note: “can’t beat this for ski in/out” Going up gave a nice view of the hotel. This is the “New Wing” Tower part. And at top, access to the Hirafu other areas is just a short walk, or you can take the Wonderland chair to the top. Familiar scenery? Have a lie down Back at base Pleasantly surprised to see a huge selection of wines, about 150 choices and loads of beer. Just seeing all these Champagnes makes you feel like a kid in a candy store or a binger in a brewery. Rocking up to the bar on the first floor, there’s a crash area to fill up and top up. Internet, pool, darts, crash cushions. Good to rest and catch up on the SJ Forums. And for something a little different, try one of these. In all a huge improvement on my last visit. The new bar brings an altogether more relaxed feel. The 80's "nostalgia" has gone, even the blue suits of the restaurant waiters seem more up to date. I noticed quite a few British visitors too. Perhaps the Inghams trail has helped bring more from the UK. The facilities we were pleased to notice was the kid's club. Full day creche or half day, plenty for the kids to do in their own funland and even night owl club so us parents can have some cosy evenings. Come next year, it will be time for our baby to write that review. From summer 2008, Hilton will be running the hotel as a Hilton International Resort. All the more to see come Winter. Many thanks to Niseko Higashiyama Resort for putting up the prize and many thanks to SnowJapan for holding the giveaway. May there be many more. Link to post Share on other sites
Ewok 2 1 Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 thanks for sharing thursday Link to post Share on other sites
HelperElfMissy 42 Posted March 29, 2008 Share Posted March 29, 2008 Loved it! Great pic's and commentary. Link to post Share on other sites
iiyamadude 6 Posted March 29, 2008 Share Posted March 29, 2008 Thanks for the report, good to hear the changes. Link to post Share on other sites
xxx 2 Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 Thanks. Interesting shape to the hotel there. How would you rate that area as a place to stay compared with Hirafu? Link to post Share on other sites
lin 0 Posted March 31, 2008 Share Posted March 31, 2008 I took a quick look myself and had similar feelings thursday. The changes are good and they seem intent on making a lot more. It is all good. xxx, as the mountain is linked up you can ski /board on all of Niseko wherever you start off. Hirafu is the most liveliest, but some people don't want all that. Link to post Share on other sites
SnowJapan Admin SnowJapan 178 Posted April 1, 2008 SnowJapan Admin Share Posted April 1, 2008 Thanks for the report. Glad you enjoyed it thursday. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted April 2, 2008 Share Posted April 2, 2008 Thanks for that thursday. One day, I might get up there. Link to post Share on other sites
boardbaka 3 Posted April 2, 2008 Share Posted April 2, 2008 its a good report thurs - its a cool hotel for sure - they are getting taken over by the Hilton soon I believe Link to post Share on other sites
rach 1 Posted April 2, 2008 Share Posted April 2, 2008 thurday did say that and it's on their page here as well http://www.snowjapan.com/e/spotlight/niseko-higashiyama.html Link to post Share on other sites
Markie 0 Posted April 2, 2008 Share Posted April 2, 2008 I haven't been to the the Prince Higashiyama for quite a few years now but one thing I still remember is that they had the best ski locker romms of all the hotels (in the world) I have ever visited. It was bright, spacious, clean and well-ventillated with good sized lockers. I hope it's still like that there. Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted April 2, 2008 Author Share Posted April 2, 2008 It is still like that indeed. The lockers are quite big. Link to post Share on other sites
rach 1 Posted April 3, 2008 Share Posted April 3, 2008 In the world! Impressive! Thanks for the pics and stuff thursday Link to post Share on other sites
IIIII 2 Posted April 4, 2008 Share Posted April 4, 2008 Does that mean it is no longer (even now) officially a Prince hotel? Link to post Share on other sites
boardbaka 3 Posted April 7, 2008 Share Posted April 7, 2008 it is changing to hilton in june I believe- stayed there a few weeks ago during their `sayonara special` - the breakfast and dinner buffets are out of this world ! Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Pow 52 Posted April 7, 2008 Share Posted April 7, 2008 Not a patch on the Snowbasin, Utah locker room. Link to post Share on other sites
pie-eater 207 Posted April 7, 2008 Share Posted April 7, 2008 Gala Yuzawa have nice (expensive) lockers. Are we really disussing lockers?!!? Link to post Share on other sites
BagOfCrisps 24 Posted April 8, 2008 Share Posted April 8, 2008 We are. I like locks that have good security on them. Preferably red in colour. Thanks for the pics thursday. Looks like there's not much around that hotel... correct? Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted April 8, 2008 Author Share Posted April 8, 2008 I'd say yes that's about right as the Higashiyama is a resort and you can do all sorts of stuff from the hotel, horse riding, snowmobile, kid's camp. Houses are being built very near it but no signs of night life outside the hotel just yet. Damn good lockers too. Link to post Share on other sites
BagOfCrisps 24 Posted April 8, 2008 Share Posted April 8, 2008 Thanks. I suppose that might popup later, if the hotel doesn't own all the land or whatever. Link to post Share on other sites
brit-gob 9 Posted April 10, 2008 Share Posted April 10, 2008 Quote: Gala Yuzawa have nice (expensive) lockers. 1000 yen for a day! Link to post Share on other sites
Worm 0 Posted April 14, 2008 Share Posted April 14, 2008 I was there 2 nights and I liked it. I found the staff to be really good too friendly but not too overbearing Link to post Share on other sites
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