One cold day late in 1873, a young César Ritz was managing a hotel in the Swiss Alps when the central heating failed, just as 40 diners were set to arrive. Rather than close, Monsieur Ritz revised the menu to include warmer dishes, removed decorative palm trees from copper vases which he turned into cauldrons, and heated 40 bricks which he wrapped in flannel to be placed under each guest’s feet.
It was this level of dedication to customer service that The Ritz-Carlton hotel chain was founded on, and which led to the name “Ritz” becoming a dictionary-listed word in the English language as a common descriptor for luxury.
From this winter, Niseko visitors can experience this iconic brand of service at the new Higashiyama Niseko Village, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve at Niseko Village.
Of Ritz-Carlton’s 100 hotels, only five carry the “Reserve” label.
Higashiyama Niseko Village, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve is the first and only Reserve label property in Japan. The Reserve label distinguishes them from other Ritz-Carlton properties by their location in “exotic, hand-selected ‘hideaway’ destinations globally; a relaxed, casually elegant atmosphere; and an even greater level of individualised service through a higher staff to guest ratio”.
Another tenet of the Reserve brand is infusion of the locale’s culture, history and heritage into the property. The underlying theme of the 50-room resort’s design is based on the Japanese concept of “kachou fuugetsu” – literally translated as flower, bird, wind, moon.
Design motifs throughout the property portray iconic elements of Japanese nature.
Meanwhile there is no escaping the surrounding Hokkaido landscape oriented towards either the omnipresent Mt Yotei on one side, and the ski mountain on the other.
Locally inspired Japanese dining is a core element of the resort’s hospitality experience, with a focus on produce harvested from surrounding farms, and seafood sourced from ports on both the Pacific Ocean and Sea of Japan which are each within an hour’s drive from Niseko.
Among three dining outlets is a nine-seat sushi counter – a bespoke inclusion in this property, with an “omakase” (chef’s recommendation) sushi menu.
The resort’s guest attendants are titled Do San (道産) – meaning person of Hokkaido – who add cultural value to the Reserve experience by sharing their local knowledge and traditions.
Of course the resort is ski in/ski out to a beginner-friendly run, with a gondola-lift connecting higher elevations for some of the steepest fall-line skiing on offer in Niseko.
As with any ski resort, the absolute best way to make the most of your skiing experience is to hire a guide. The resort’s “Higashiyama Reservist” mountain experts will lead you to the best powder, terrain and scenery to suit your skill level and desires. The service includes GoPro photos, list passes and personalised gear fitting.
At the end of a day, in-house spa and natural onsen (hot spring) baths offer rejuvenation in preparation for another day in Niseko.
