My husband and I spent four days at Niseko Grand Hotel in January. The hotel is convenient to Annupuri, but it really doesn't matter because the hotel has a free shuttle bus to the 3 major mountain resorts for all guests. Shuttles run from 0800-2030 ask front desk for shuttle schedule. If someone in your party doesn't ski they can take the shuttle to town and enjoy shopping, cafes and food trucks in Hirafu!
The room was clean, warm and spacious almost the size of a small apartment. Our room had 2 twin beds, a dinning area, double sinks, urnal, toilet room and shower. We didnt bring our kids on this trip but if we had there was plenty of room and sleeping mat's provided a family of 5 could be quite comfortable in one room. The wifi was excellent in our room, the walls are thin and the rooms dated so we can hear muffled voices through the walls. Guest's are quite so it was not an issue. Rooms include free breakfast, a variety of fruit, veggies, yogurt pastries, asian traditional, soups and my fav a latte machine- all you need even for younger picky eaters. Breakfast is 7-9 plenty of time to get to the slopes!
The hotel is popular for its co-ed spa (Onsen) we were told is the only co-ed in the area. Nothing like soaking in the minerals after a long day of boarding. Not a guest? not a problem, non-guest can use the Onsen for about $10 US, open 24hrs for guests. At the front desk girls pick up a pink cover up dress, and boys green shorts (only most males only carry a small towel). All soakers must rinse off in the spa room before entering to co-ed outdoor area for the ladies it a brisk walk down the corridor. We never used the shower in the room because the spa supplied everything.
The lobby has a sitting area, a nice gift shop with a selection of boxed noodles, Japanese sweets, souvenirs, so if you wanted a quick dinner in you would be set. There is a restaurant on site but serves seafood and my husband is not a fan so we did not eat at the dinner. In the lobby there are several brouchers for local restaurants that will pick you up for free (even in massive snowstorm). I can recommend Taj-mehal excellent food and large servings.
The shuttle to and from the airport drops you at the front door of the hotel but book your return airport bus on your first working day 9-5. The front desk staff was very helpful in booking but we had a bit of a scramble for the booking because AM airport buses fill up fast. The staff at the front desk was amazing even when busy they saw to guest quickly and efficiently. Thank you for a wonderful visit we hope to visit again the next time we visit Niseko!
