If the four resort villages surrounding the base of Niseko’s Mt Annupuri could be described as the crown of modern skiing in Japan, then Hanazono could now well be described as the jewel.
With the opening of Park Hyatt Niseko, the youngest and least developed of the Niseko United resort villages becomes the first to roll out a new luxury international hotel development and hospitality.
What makes the opening of the Park Hyatt Niseko so special is that it is the realisation of more than a decade’s worth of vision and planning – it is a key part of an all-seasons resort masterplan that includes new ski lifts and gondolas already under construction, new ski terrain and green-season activity suite including Asia’s longest zipline, supporting existing summer offerings – golf course and white water rafting.
Park Hyatt Niseko will anchor and inspire the development of the Hanazono resort and surrounding village over the coming decade and beyond in its promise to become “one of the best equipped all-mountain resorts on the planet”.
”A level of sophistication and style yet to be seen in this resort on such a grand scale awaits Park Hyatt Niseko guests
It starts with over 100 ski-in/ski-out residences and the 100-room, ski-in/ski-out hotel that opens onto the base of Hanazono, together acting as a year-round health and wellness retreat. A unique signature spa features six treatment rooms, two of which have private onsen. The hotel will also feature a 25m indoor pool, two gyms and a public onsen for in-house guests.
A grand lobby aims to “create an atmospheric link to culture and place”, with bold local art throughout the public areas of the resort curated in collaboration with The Art Foundation, a Tokyo-based philanthropic organisation dedicated to supporting Japanese contemporary arts and architecture.
The main theme throughout the public areas is the hotel’s relation to its natural surrounds, with “snow melt mixed-media artwork” and a Japanese moss and rock garden courtyard. Materials are stone, timber, lacquer, traditional plaster and leather in neutral colours with warmer accents of olive green and orange.
Like the public areas, hotel and residence suites are inspired by the locale and fine art, no less with an intent for guests to “feel as though they have been invited into an art collector’s home”. While every residence is privately owned, the Park Hyatt standard can be seen across the resort with owners enjoying a rental management programme while they are away.
Park Hyatt is known around the world for their selective locations in unique environments, cutting-edge architectural design, attention to detail and high-end finishes. Every piece of furniture, every fitting and every amenity right down to the bathroom soaps in its suites are sourced from leading brands in their fields, meticulously hand selected from around the world.
”The hotel’s food and beverage offerings feature a total of 11 eateries, bars and lounges including six signature restaurants – two of which are headed by chefs each with Michelin-star restaurants in other locations.
Among the most anticipated features of the new property – for this magazine and no doubt Niseko food-scene connoisseurs – is the hotel’s food and beverage offerings, featuring a total of 11 eateries, bars and lounges including six signature restaurants – two of which are headed by chefs each with Michelin-star restaurants in other locations.
Meanwhile Hanazono Resort has built all-new skiers’ restaurant Hanazono EDGE alongside the hotel for casual all-day ski dining. The existing Hanazono 308 Ski Center, that was previously home to the resort’s skier’s restaurant, has this year been converted into an indoor kids’ adventure play area called the Galaxy of Kidz, with a large climbing wall up to 5m high, floating adventure trail and ball pool. The building also becomes the home to Hanazono’s NISS kids ski-school programme.
A Hanazono spokesperson said Park Hyatt Niseko will be one of the first true luxury resorts in Niseko. “Our facilities and the personal service experience Park Hyatt is renowned for globally will add a true value to the unique snow destination of Niseko. Personal services such as ski valet service will definitely spoil all of our guests including the most seasoned adult travellers.”