Came for several days this month, having stayed before it felt like coming back to a second home. The hospital and sense of service from the staff is something that I've seen with each visit, although some faces have changed the service has not deteriorated, quite the opposite. The offer of a shuttle bus to a different part of the resort was greatly appreciated (outside of normal operating periods). I appreciate it was less busy and this practice is not the norm - so a big thumbs up for the flexibility and hospitality.

This year was our second time to stay at Ki for the ski season and we have already book for 2021 !
Everything is perfect. The service staff are friendly and go out of their way to assist. Bar staff are knowledgeable and make great cocktails. The breakfast buffet has both delicious Japanese and western food . The apartments are warm and very clean and minimalist, the beds are comfortable. The outdoor onsen is divine after skiing. The Concierge service can take care of booking ski lessons, arrange lift passes, ski hire etc.
We love the ski in ski out convenience and the personalised boutique feel of Ki Niseko.

We originally planned to visit Ki Niseko for a ski trip in March. Despite the virus outbreak we felt that it was reasonably safe to go. The hotel reassured us that there were no cases and the made additional precautions. But we made the calculation without the Japanese government who puts everyone from their red list countries into 14 days quarantine.

The hotel will surely respond it has been in their terms and conditions and of course it is everyone's responsibility to get travel insurance. Now since the Japanese government is not barring entry but rather forcing a 14 day quarantine most travel insurances will not cover the loss of a hotel cancellation.

Well, instead you get a standardised email outlining the 'option 1' to just come and ski as originally planned. I thought at first that this is a joke but they meant it that way. Add insult to injury is probably not the first lesson in 'How to run a Hotel 101'.

Option 2 was to cancel and forfeit the full cost of the hotel and claim from you insurance. Great insurance doesn't cover... see above.

Option 3 is the most reasonable but also least accommodating. They just keep the full payment and tell you that you need to change the booking dates by May this year for March 2021... In addition the prices will adjust and you need to pay the higher 2021 prices when you come back.

Is that how you treat your customers? Japansese hospitality looks very very different. I at least expected a free cancelation or a transfer into 2021 with a more flexible arrangement. Especially if the guest retains the trust with the hotel to come again in the next season, with the security of creating revenue next year and most important with a happy face.

But this way be assured that you have many grumpy travellers in the next season who are forced to come back and pay higher prices...