Hakuba Resort Hotel La Neige Higashikan

Fabulous little hotel … you can walk to one of the ski lifts, free drinks from 2.30 till 5.30 each day in the lounge by the fire … free shuttle service to anywhere you want to go and will pick you up … staff were absolutely delightful … only negative would be our room was a little dated but this was only minor

We were expecting more from this stay based off the reviews and the cost than we received. I’m putting in a lot of information so that this review may help other people staying here. Our check in was done by a staff member who was very unhelpful (I only say this after being in the lobby and listening in to the check ins that other guests received that seemed a bit more attentive) - our check-in began with being told after arriving at the hotel at around 5pm that to have dinner at the hotel a reservation needs to be made 48 hours in advance so they couldn’t possibly accommodate guests who had just arrived and were staying for 6 nights with no further dinner recommendations provided (despite La Neige being within the Hakuba Hospitality Group), we mentioned we had ski gear to pick up and there was no offer of assistance or any recommendation of how to go about doing this (we ended up just walking to collect it and lug it back to the hotel along the icy and slippery street) and then when we mentioned we would be heading to a particular ski spot the next day there was no help provided with how to get to that spot besides being told where the bus stop was (which ended up being incorrect anyway and even though we got to the right spot the bus was already full!) - luckily another guest saved us and let us share her taxi. We asked on check in if we could possibly have dinner the following night (24 hours notice) but were told they weren’t sure and would let us know - given the lacklustre response we just decided to make plans elsewhere… and also asked once further during our stay to have dinner at the restaurant at 36 hours notice and that also had the same lacklustre response. We were also not openly told the cost of the dinner menu - it was around $120 AUD per person which is ok as it is a multiple course set menu but considering we were signing for drinks during our stay the dinner cost should have been more upfront. We enjoyed seeing the foxes at dinner time, so if you do go for dinner ask for a table at the window. We also tried to utilise a free shuttle back from one of the ski areas at Happo - we called at 1:30pm to book for a 3pm pick up which was confirmed and they did not come to collect us until 4pm despite us waiting in the cold and calling four more times to ask what was going on. There was also a drama the other times we called for pickup on other days - it seemed as if some of the reception staff were not familiar with the layout of the ski areas. The lovely doorman who helped us with our ski boots was one of my favourite staff members - so helpful and considerate, he would take our boots and skis of an evening and have them ready of a morning. The hotel was kindly able to organise a transfer for us from Nagano station for around $300 AUD - but I was surprised this wasn’t mentioned as an option in all the pre-arrival information as the alternative is a bus which in peak season can be very full. From what I gather if you hire gear from Spicy rental the hotel will help you collect the gear and return it, our gear was from Central Snow Sports although they also have an advertisement on the reception desk so I’m not sure what the relationship is there. The free snacks available in the lobby are reasonable - I highly rate the Hakuba crunch chocolates. Free tea as well. All very nice after a day out and they will bring you other drinks in the lobby as requested. The room we had was very dated although relatively clean. The key to our room had a little quirk with how to open the door which was quaint but should probably be fixed. Housekeeping was very good and efficient.m - cannot fault how our rooms were every day on return from skiing.

I have stayed at this hotel four times since 2012 and come for winter, both Christmas and Chinese New Year. The hotel is beautiful nestled in the forest. The lobby is cozy with a fireplace for roasting marshmallows, the restaurant picturesqe with surround glass windows to watch the snow fall during dinner, the rooms are spacious, clean and lovely with deep plunge tubs for soaking at the end of the day. But what really makes this hotel is the staff, they are impeccable. I travel the world for work and pleasure and never have I come across a more genuine team. In the morning they lay out your Ski/Snowboard gear with warm boots they prepared over night, they help you get to the ski slopes, driving you or getting you on the right shuttles. At the end of the day they again greet you at the door to welcome you and give you your warmed up shoes to change into. They help with securing dining reservations in town, and assist you with transportation to and from. They are accommodating, helpful, kind and become family for the duration of your stay.