日本の失われた２０年でこの街は作られ、この旅館は５年の年月で磨かれた。日本人が忘れていた時間、体験をイギリス人が丁寧に掘り起こし、時間をかけて生活の一部にして行った。そんな印象の強い高級旅館。
北海道の魅力をふんだんに取り入れながら、外観は鉄筋を使い、内装をふんだんに木を取り入れることで、外観のモダンを忘れさせる仕掛け。
館内のいたるところには北海道出身の無名作家のアートが置かれる。心憎い。
潤沢な湯量を背景に各部屋には内風呂と露天風呂の２つの風呂を持ち、日本人のみならず外国人にも風呂の魅力を伝える。
部屋からの眺めは特に印象的で白樺林と初夏のカエルの鳴き声もニセコに来たことをしっかりと心に刻み込む。冬は別世界に違いない。
和洋折衷の新しい価値を創造したホテル。
This ryokan is unique because it was planned and polished by British and was built about 5 years ago while NISEKO has been developed since 20 years ago. British knows real quality of life and found out there is one which he thought real quality of life. Interior is covered by wood and exterior is by RC. So many Hokkaido arts can be seen on almost every wall of the hotel. There are two bath tub in each room, one is inside and another one is outside. White birches are surrounding the buildings and during night time, this beauty makes all people staying there tranquil.
I would like to visit there again in winter.

Our itinerary “saved the best for last”. After a long 300-plus km drive from our last stop in Kamikawa, we found Zaborin slightly before the car’s GPS told us to turn off.

Driving down a long concrete driveway to a monster modern concrete and glass house, we were first wowed by its grand facade, and then warmly met by an elder Japanese gent who guided our car into the building’s car porch. He helped us unload our luggage and told me to leave the car keys with him.

We were quickly ushered up by lift to the second floor, followed by our luggage in a luggage rack. The staff were friendly and offered us cold towels and a refreshing drink of home made maple water.

Soon, we were ushered to our room. Ours was the first room after a long walk uphill along a narrow corridor. All rooms are clustered around three sides of a square. There are 15 rooms in total.

Doors open out, and there’s a long corridor into the room. Shoes come off and you can exchange them for bedroom slippers.

Wooden floors line the living area, which splits off the corridor on the left. A large living area with modern couch takes centre stage. Bedrooms off the living area are tatami style with beds for son and us already made up. Dark stained wooden screen doors can be used for privacy.

The bell hop introduced us to the features of our room. Opposite the couch, a long “slide and hide” panel cupboard with the flat screen TV in the centre. The fridge and alcoholic beverages flanks the TV on the left. On the right side of the TV is the Nespresso machine and Japanese tea making facilities.

I noted that the bell hop also served dinner in the restaurant; which means that the ryokan cross trains their staff.

The fridge is filled with alcoholic beverages, fruit juices, coca-cola, and ginger ale. Non alcoholic beverages come free with the room. Some of the nuts/snacks too.

The flat screen TV is aided by Apple TV and the TV is also connected to a DVD player. The hotel has an extensive book and DVD library near the lobby.

WiFi can be received in the room and it’s pretty fast.

In the cupboards of my son and our rooms are the yukuta and pajamas. You can wear yukuta to the restaurant. The pajamas are traditional white varieties but very soft and comfortable.

Our room also had an electronic safe and a mobile heater for the really cold nights. The turn down service puts out one bedside light, lays out some chocolates and a weather info sheet for the next days’ forecast.

Going back past the entry corridor is the bathrooms. Marble Double sinks take up pride of place. The middle drawer opens up to reveal amenities grouped by male and female. There were two male and one female packets.

Towels are in the lattice work under the left side of sink. Hairdryer is included. There’s also a cushioned stool for the missus’ morning make up routine.

Off the sink area is a modern Japanese toilet with sensor functions. Toilet lights up automatically on entry. The toilet cover pops up, and prepares the toilet for business.

Walk further in from the sink area, the large open shower and indoor onsen can be found. Choose between Japanese style onsen shower or a modern rain shower in the middle of the large room. The onsen cypress-wood tub is already filled with hot water.

Outside the shower area, an open-air cypress-wooden tub is also filled constantly with hot water. This was our favorite spot after our shower. Hop in, be one with nature and feel your troubles melt away. Even when the temperature went down to 8 degrees, this outdoor bath was just the best.

There is another spare toilet in the entry corridor.

Meals were also prepared by the hotel. Dinner was a multi course Japanese meal. It was beautifully prepared and very tasty. Breakfast was a little less intricate but also very filling. You always left the restaurant full and happy.

The hotel staff were very polite and efficient. They know their routines and work hard to make sure their guests are well taken care of, without being obtrusive.

We enjoyed our two nights here. We found our stay highly restful with the highlights being the outdoor onsen, spacious rooms and delicious food. Highly recommended.