Ritz-Carlton Niseko: Not Exactly a Winter Wonderland
Picture this: Our winter adventure to the Land of the Rising Sun had us landing in Tokyo & Niseko, where our main gig was at the Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono. Five blissful nights there left us in high spirits, so we thought, “Why not?” and capped off our trip with a two-night stand at the Ritz-Carlton Reserve Higashiyama Niseko. This 50-room venue, launching in tandem with our primary destination in 2020, was supposed to be its rival. Keyword: supposed.
Here’s the plain truth: This hotel, for lack of a better term, left me feeling ‘meh.’ Sure, it wasn’t a disaster, but the experience was overshadowed by two main gripes.
Firstly, the branding. Ritz-Carlton Reserve? Really? It didn’t live up to the plush pedigree you’d expect from such a name. Rebrand it under a different title – say, Marriott Autograph Collection or Luxury Collection – and expectations would be more in line. I’m convinced this spot originally had zero intentions to don the Ritz-Carlton badge. It felt like a last-minute marketing gimmick aimed to hike up room rates.
The second gripe? Loads of minor niggles. No singular disaster, just a symphony of subtle shortcomings. A gym that didn’t inspire a workout, a spa that was barely passable, hit-or-miss service, a glaring lack of amenities…you start to wonder about the mindset of the minds behind this property.
Now, don’t entirely rule this place out. Just brace yourself for reality. I’d pick the Park Hyatt Niseko over this joint every chance. It’s leagues ahead.
Booking the Ritz-Carlton Reserve Niseko
As you’d bet, room rates here swing wildly by season. Spring and fall spell out $250 deals, while winter’s zenith spikes it up past $2,000 nightly, thanks to peak skiing conditions in January and February. Craving less of a splurge, our March visit snagged us a $650 per night deal under the Marriott STARS program, bundling in breakfast, potential room upgrades, a $100 credit, and more. It’s more than a solid package, except if you start paying that top-dollar winter pricing.
Thanks to a promotional rate, extras like afternoon tea and a four-course dinner sweetened our deal further, which definitely took the sting out of the price. Knocking around 176,000 Bonvoy points for a night during peak? Could be worse, but at our visit time, not so stellar. For the record, Bonvoy points? I peg ’em at 0.7 cents each.
Ritz-Carlton Reserve Niseko Location & Transportation
On Hokkaido island sits our moderately misfit Ritz-Carlton Reserve. Your gateway? New Chitose Airport near Sapporo. Ain’t hard getting there. During the ski season, the Niseko Direct Shuttle links you between the airport and this somewhat secluded hotel, for a fee of course. Miss the shuttle? A private ride could lighten your wallet by about 50,000 JPY (~350 USD). Once you’re there, public transport’s scarce, though shuttles branch out to nearby spots like Hirafu every half-hour.
First impressions? Let’s just say the exterior left my expectations high and dry. I mean, is this place a luxury resort or a glorified stopover? It was no visual treat.
Ritz-Carlton Reserve Niseko Lobby & Check-In
The lobby’s the Ritz-Carlton Reserve Niseko’s one savior space. Loved the stylish ski lodge vibe, from the materials to the killer windows. The downside? It’s petite. This scanty area veils itself as the sole communal hangout zone. Upon our arrival, we were served mint, plum and honey concoctions and settled in for the check-in routine. The process – a little offbeat. Got upgraded to a Yotei Reserve King room – cool. But our room wasn’t ready yet.
Guest Room Experience
Escorted to our quarters by a hotel hand, okay, but then the odd design struck again. Room 410 on the fourth floor was expansive, around 52 square meters. No techy comforts like automatic “Do Not Disturb,” just a classic door hanger. Aspects strutted luxury. Others? Not so much. The aesthetic? Nice. Free minibar? Cheers to that. But that low-tech touch soured the mood, like manual signs over sensors. Yeah, no.
Bathroom and bedroom? Bit of a mix-match. Sure, great view of Mount Yotei, but the vibe didn’t scream Ritz-Carlton Reserve. Bathroom had space, but the finish was lacking. Spacious? Yes. Thrilling? Hardly. The showiest elements, the vistas, did deliver.
Ritz-Carlton Reserve Niseko Spa & Onsen
Spa Chasi La Sothys and their onsen were part and parcel of our stay, and they threw a quirky wrench into the works. Designed in a way that felt like an afterthought. No reception? The usually calming spa experience was instead bustling with foot traffic, leaving two poor therapists juggling tasks. Couples treatments? Not happening here.
The onsen was fine, though no geothermal waters. Gender-segregated, thoughtful amenities, and a private onsen feel, should you choose it. Still, the spa felt rushed.
Ritz-Carlton Reserve Niseko Gym
Let’s venture to the gym, or lack thereof. The claim of a 24/7 gym was laughable—a solitary bench amidst minimal gear. Whether you’re a yogi or a heavyweight champ, expect little inspiration. Just like other missteps, this applies—the gym’s a minuscule plank in this wonky ship.
Ritz-Carlton Reserve Niseko Restaurant & Bar
Three venues ready to tempt your taste buds – yukibana, Ume Lounge, and Sushi Nagi. Intimate, à la carte, and sushi-focused respectably. But their ambiance? Missing. Scenic views aside, there’s no buzz, vibrancy, or charm guiding you to that après-ski warmth. Our rate included tea, a so-so affair, and dinner at Yukibaba – the latter a set course with varied results.
Their sushi night excelled, but the rare quality hit—not sustainable throughout. Bit of redemption through their sushi dinner. Quaint, quiet, enjoyable, but not the ideal gauge for an entire property.
Breakfast Musings
Breakfast every day from 7 to 10 AM, promising a buffet, one menu item, and drink fortunate. The highlights? Drinkables, like flat whites and iced lattes. Edibles, hardly nose-raising.
Slip-Ups in Service
Service here, frankly, clashed with fancy intents. While dinner service shone, front desk fumblings dulled the luxury veneer. chaotic vibes don’t gel when you’re paying upscale prices. Details needed finessing.
Final Thoughts
The Ritz-Carlton Reserve Niseko, a study of contrasts. Great some parts—aesthetic allure, picturesque views, fine selections—but slack elsewhere. A plethora of imperfections. It seems the Park Hyatt Niseko outmatches this Reserve dramatically. The Hyatt is a self-contained thrill ride, teeming dining and activities, lacking here. What’s your verdict on the Ritz-Carlton Reserve Niseko?