Kutchan hotels

Pros: A very nice and comfortable place, and the hosts were very friendly and made the stay hospitable. There is a toaster oven for heating food and an iron for waxing your skis which was very appreciated! Also a nice place to meet others. Stayed in the 'economy' room which was quite big and great value for money!

Pros: 1. The owner was very attentive to our requests. 2. The common areas (Dining area on the first floor, common corridors, lounge on second floor) were very well kept. We especially liked the lounge on the second floor. It offered lots of privacy, had good views of the surrounding buildings, and was very spacious and cosy. Not all Japanese Pensions offer such a space. 3. There is a Lawsons that is within 5 mins of walking distance from the accommodation.

Cons: 1. The common area used to store snow sports equipment wasn't a room. Rather, it consisted of 1-2 small corridors of space.

Pros: Lovely atmosphere and view. Rooms are a good size. The host was very helpful to drop off and pick up from the welcome center.

Cons: The wifi was terrible and was not ski in and ski out, even if the snow had been better. It is a long walk to the gondola but the shuttle is available. If I was renting skis again I’d rent from a place that has a valet service which would make it easier . Breakfast did not have a lot of choice given the extra cost.

Pros: Cute rooms and quite functional. We had a separate entrance as well as 2 bathrooms for the six of us. It was quite nice actually and away from the noise :)

Cons: It was difficult getting a taxi early in the morning. Be sure to book well in advance if you need to catch an early train... this was in no fault to the property, just felt the need to advise other travelers :)

Pros: Nice warm rooms with everything you need. Great breakfast and the host was very welcoming and friendly.

Cons: Not as close to the ski lifts as we hoped. Had to catch a (free) shuttle there and back daily, which took a bit of time.

Pros: Owner was friendly, accommodation was clean and warm. I travelled solo and there were no extra charges, wonderful. I had good confirmation communications with the owner before arrival. I would definitely recommend and will stay here in the future. the price is great value,

Cons: Not much to not like. A little away from the main action but not too far.

Pros: We stayed in the 2 bedroom apartment annex which had its own entrance with space for ski storage, perfect for our family of 5. Easy 10min walk into Hirafu village, with restaurants and supermarkets. Shuttle bus to ski lift 100m away.

Cons: The eating corner is a bit small for 5 but manageable for cup noodles etc.

Pros: Cosy and great little kitchenette with full size fridge. Close to supermarket. Spacious bedrooms. Would stay again.

Cons: We had trouble finding space to dry all our gear.

Pros: Price You can't beat the value of this hotel. At this price, at this time..it's impossible to match Breakfast It's simple but tasty. Never had a problem having this consecutively for 3 days.. Room It's a nice cosy room. Small but with a very good old looking heater that's extremely useful in the winter.

Cons: Staff While some staff are indeed polite, some are less amiable. I understand that spikes are not allowed in the hotel (I didn't see any signs, there might be, given the benefit of doubt). One of the staff sternly told me, no spike allow and walked away. I always thought Japanese to be polite, even in situation that's not so positive. I might be wrong here. Room The ensuite toilet is pretty cold, but I think it's just the room I was given. It's an extension to the building, and the toilet part is towards the outside. And that probably explain the coldness.

Pros: Great spot. Onsen bath was nice. Excellent breakfast

Cons: A smalll chair for sitting would be nice

Pros: Very close to the main ski lift.

Pros: Great location, service and facilities. Staff were friendly and very helpful

Pros: The check in and out are easy, thanks to the the great staff. They are super nice and helpful. I like the the variety of drinks you can buy from their vending machines. And the locker room is so handy for skiers and snowboarders to keep their ewuipment overnight.

Cons: Nothing really, except that the washing machines are a little old.

Pros: The house is clean, comfortable and offer pick up service The facilities in the house is very good I was enjoy staying there

Cons: Not located near minimart, but the property offer a shutter bus service which is acceptable.

Pros: The staff was very professional and friendly. Our luggage for directly transferred from the airport and they received it while we were out for lunch. The staff was even helpful to carry the luggage including 4 snow boards to the villa as well.

Pros: How convenient it is to go to the main town and the shuttle stops at ideal location. Service was great. Resort was really clean.

Cons: Pillows could be softer and fluffier.

Pros: Nice chalets in a quite location. Good size and good facilities. Generally a good place to stay with friends. A little far from the main town, but it's manageable. If we return, we would hire a car to make live easier.

Cons: Arranged a coach transfer, but had to call the chalet to meet them in the town centre. There is a shuttle bus to and from the town, but the timing is never quite right. One or two times the scheduled bus didn't arrive and had to wait an 30/40 mins till the next one.

Pros: The onsen was amazing and the house was very spacious!

Cons: Nothing

Pros: staff are very willing to help.

Pros: Location was excellent. Next to base of lifts and ski hire. Pool was good

Cons: Rooms felt outdated.

Pros: Hot springs Close to skiing Good location for bus stop

Cons: Very expensive for only 2 nights Breakfast was a little ordinary Restaurant was a rip off

Pros: Its right in front of grand hirafu's slopes. The staff speaks excellent english and was very helpful.

Cons: Over priced for an old hotel, we got a ryokan with half board meal with cheaper price at noboribetsu. And the hotel did not inform earlier that there is no taxi in the town. We arrived at 9 pm and found ourselves stranded If you are with family, and want to try newer facility, try Hanazono instead, its reachable by free shuttle bus and has better, newer, cleaner facilities that Niseko Alpen

Pros: Most of the staff are great, helpful and friendly. Perfect location. Near welcome center and ski lift. Hotel has everything you need: onsen, restaurants, mini store, ski lockers, car rental...etc. will definitely come back in the future.

Cons: Nothing. Everything is good.

Pros: Good things: 1. Ski in and out. Take the family run and then lift all the way up the mountain 2. Close to welcome center for limo bus to and from airport, and base for lift ticket or rental 3. Onsite facilities such as onsen, tax-free shop, SPA, and ski locker are convenient 4. Room is decent size 5. Staff is friendly

Cons: What could improve: 1. It is a hotel, which should be sufficiently staffed and have bell man. No staff would help you with your luggage, no matter how heavy it is. 2. The hotel does not keep your luggage for any reason, simply because there is a locker. They need to know that no everything can fit into the ski locker. A hotel should provide service and luggage storage is not much to ask for.

Pros: Great location

Pros: The staff at freedom in were fantastic, a wonderful group of young people. Everything worked really well, they were friendly and helpful. Helped organise dinner at local restaurants every night and had an amazing transport system. The lodge is away from busy tourist area (which I think is good), but from walking out the door we were on ski lift within 5 minutes every day as they drop you very close to lift. We are a family of 1 adult and 3 kids - the rooms standard and bathrooms shared - but worked brilliantly for our family. Lodge has cosy family feel and nice lounge area. I do not usually write reviews, however I can not recommend freedom lodge more highly, for our family was great. Also good breakfast and adjacent to a great part of the mountain (Hanazono)

Pros: The landscape in winter is really beautiful. The staff is outstanding . Tho most of them are new they do their best . So friendly and warm. Manager Jo Lam is like a friend and very helpful. The free shuttle service is neccesary and convenient. I had a corner room so had a great view.

Cons: Bidet not working. Pillow is minute and too flat. Room is small .

Pros: I appreciated the free shuttle to and from the mountain. The hotel is located on the Hanazono side of the mountain but they picked me up even if I was at Grand Hirafu.

Pros: Very accommodating staff

Pros: Its secluded but walkable to hanazono resort. Use the free shuttle for grand hirafu snd kutchan area.

Cons: Quiet, staff are always available and friendly. They recommend restaurants for dinner. Free shuttle to resorts and kutchan available.

Pros: The shuttle vans to the ski field, and to and from town allowed mobility to visitors. They also provide services to coordinate rentals of equipment, ski lessons and restaurant bookings. The staff are very friendly and helpful.

Pros: it was a good stay!

Cons: maybe the smell of the dog?

Pros: Price was good, you got what you paid for. Great position to the Hirafu ski lifts and welcome centre. Stored my bags until my bus arrived in the afternoon on the day of my departure at no cost.

Cons: Could do with a few renovations/repairs. Noisy at night as it was beside the pub.

Pros: Excellent location, friendly staff.

Pros: Room is clean and comfortable, and Good location

Cons: Breakfast/meal request was rejected, probably due to unforseen situation on their kitchen.

Cons: Unfortunately I had to cut our holiday short due to a death in my family and they still charged us additional nights stay being over $1,300 per night.

Pros: location

Cons: The rooms were very expensive and we slept on the floor. Everything was super cheap. The toilet paper for example was the worlds thinnest paper - a true engineering marvel. Shower was tiny, Sink area was tiny. Toilet was tiny. The walk to the ski locker is long and involves many flights of stairs to get to the ski area so not easy for little kids. Ski lockers are too small.

Pros: Location and Onsen.

Cons: Charging A$50 more per night for a a western style room.

Pros: Great location for skiing! Right next to a ski lift (running until 8:30 pm) with very convenient locker room where you can store all your equipment. Next to the lift you can buy our ski pass and sign up for skiing classes if needed. Lots of restaurants within walking distance from the hotel. Private onsen in our room, although tiny, worked perfectly after skiing :)

Cons: Staff seemed to be quite unconvincing re: equipment rental at the location, therefore we decided to use a rental shop in town - although more expensive, it proved to be far more professional.

Pros: Just thought the hotel is a bit old and the room ID has nothing to shout about. Upside is the convenient location.

Pros: Location, ski in/ski out, onsen onsite, spa/massage onsite, and the lovely Toshiro’s Bar.

Cons: It would have been nice to have a to go coffee cup from breakfast. There were also no garbage cans in the lobby which resulted in cups and empty beer cans in the lobby and outside.

Pros: Got to be Ski in Ski Out !! Convenient and nice accommodation. Love the location.

Pros: Location, Onsen and breakfast are very good

Cons: Staff speak very limited English, The TV no any English Chanel and book.

Pros: Location, facilities, and breakfast

Pros: Breakfast was very nice.

Cons: Beds very firm.

Pros: There was a guy in the kitchen not helpful at all and he deliberately didn’t bring me breakfast.

Cons: There was a guy in the kitchen not helpful at all and he deliberately didn’t bring me breakfast. Very loud in rooms

Pros: Great staff, location is super close to the shuttle (runs often), breakfast was superb, everything was clean, great common area. Really charming (little older) inn style lodging with great people to meet and overall a great experience.

Cons: The beds are pretty rock hard. After 7 nights my hips were feeling bruised from being a side sleeper.

Pros: Breakfast was great. Our room was comfortable. The lounge room was fun. The staff was helpful when they were around.

Cons: The toilets were very dark and not a nice as nearby public toilets. Using a free public toilet shouldn't be nicer than using the Pension's toilets.

Pros: Breakfast was so delicious! And the place has so much character. You can walk to wherever you’d like from the lodge and there are 2 awesome izakaya restaurants next door!

Cons: It’s a bit noisy, but just bring ear plugs and you’ll be set!