Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono

The Park Hyatt opened in January 2020 at the foot of the Hanazono slopes, on the north eastern side of Mount Annupuri, with Mount Yotei standing alone across the valley. By Japanese standards it is generous: 100 hotel rooms, 28 of them suites, and 113 residences with kitchens, many with a private onsen. Standard rooms measure 65 square metres, and the Signature Suites on the top floor have a terrace with an outdoor hot spring bath facing the volcano.

In winter you ski out of the hotel and back to it, and on request the general manager takes guests out for first tracks before the lifts open to everyone else. Afterwards there is a 25 metre pool with four jetted tubs, separate bathhouses for men and women with hot spring baths at 40 and 42 degrees and no ban on tattoos, and six treatment rooms working with Sisley and the Niseko brand ICOR. Children from two have an indoor play hall, and the Niseko Kids Club Hanazono provides childcare.

The restaurants are a reason to come in their own right. Molière Montagne is an outpost of Hiroshi Nakamichi's Molière in Sapporo, Sushi Mitsukawa serves Kanazawa style sushi with fish from the Omicho market, and Robata, Teppan, China Kitchen and Olivio cover the rest, with Pierre Hermé afternoon tea in The Lounge. In summer the 18 hole Hanazono Golf course, Bruce Munro's Mountain Lights and rafting on the Shiribetsu fill the days, and small dogs are welcome all year.