What is Sierra Resort Hakuba?

Sierra Resort Hakuba is a Selected hotel located in Hakubamura, Kitazumino-gun, Japan. It has been recognized by the Michelin Guide for its exceptional hospitality and unique experience.

How many Michelin Keys does Sierra Resort Hakuba have?

Sierra Resort Hakuba has been awarded Selected by the Michelin Guide, indicating a very special stay.

Where is Sierra Resort Hakuba located?

Sierra Resort Hakuba is located in Hakubamura, Kitazumino-gun, Japan, in the Asia region.

What makes a Selected hotel special?

Selected hotels provide very special stays with excellent service and a unique sense of place.

How do I book Sierra Resort Hakuba?

You can view more details and booking information for Sierra Resort Hakuba through the Michelin Guide website. Each Michelin Keys hotel offers a unique booking experience tailored to their guests.

Sierra Resort Hakuba | Michelin Keys

Name: Sierra Resort Hakuba
Address: 5071 Hokujo, Hakuba, Kitaazumi-gun, Nagano 399-9301, Japan, Hakubamura, Kitazumino-gun, Asia, Japan
Rating: 4.5

Sierra Resort Hakuba, nestled amidst the breathtaking scenery of the Japanese Alps in Hakubamura, Kitazumino-gun, is a Michelin Key Selected property that consistently receives glowing reviews from its guests. It's praised as a luxury mountain retreat offering a harmonious blend of comfort, convenience, and natural beauty.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

Sierra Resort Hakuba garners an impressive reputation, reflected in outstanding overall ratings on various platforms, often averaging around 9.0 out of 10. Guests frequently describe their stay as "magical" and "exceptional," with many considering it one of the best ski resorts they've experienced. The general sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the resort's ability to provide a memorable and relaxing escape.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently rave about several key aspects of Sierra Resort Hakuba:

Onsen Facilities: The resort boasts impressive indoor and outdoor onsens, including public baths like "Kominka no Yu" and private onsens, often surrounded by a beautiful birch forest or offering views of the Northern Japanese Alps. The large Mizubasho Onsen is noted for its abundant pure mineral water. Many appreciate the option for free private onsen reservations with a one-night stay.
Exceptional Service & Staff: The staff are frequently described as warm, friendly, helpful, and professional, going above and beyond to ensure a great stay. Many appreciate the staff's English proficiency.
Tranquil Location & Design: Situated within 25 acres of serene forest and landscaped gardens, the resort offers a peaceful, secluded setting away from the bustling town center. The architectural and interior design is often praised for being modern, clean, and in harmony with its natural surroundings.
Comprehensive Amenities: The resort offers a wide array of facilities, including a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, ski rental on-site, a shuttle bus service, free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk, massage services, and a dry room for ski equipment. Some rooms even feature Jacuzzi baths or fireplaces. Complimentary snacks and drinks, including red wine, white wine, sake, and various teas, are often appreciated.

3. Room Quality

Sierra Resort Hakuba offers 74 well-appointed and spacious rooms, ensuring a comfortable stay. Guests have described rooms as "absolutely stunning," "large and very comfortable". Rooms feature warm wooden furniture, thick carpets, flat-screen TVs, tea/coffee makers, and en-suite bathrooms with bathtubs. Some suites offer living areas, forest views, balcony Jacuzzis, or even private onsens. While generally praised for comfort, some recent reviews have noted that rooms can appear a bit dated, and some found the beds and pillows to be firm.

4. Dining Experience

The resort provides a delightful gastronomic experience with multiple dining options:

Breakfast: A rich buffet, often with both Japanese and continental options, is served in the main dining area (French restaurant venue) and is frequently highlighted as "excellent" and "incredible" with a wide variety of options.
Dinner: The main dining offers French cuisine, which has been evolving for a quarter of a century. There is also a Chinese restaurant, Hakuba Hanten, serving multi-course meals with seasonal ingredients. Additionally, during the winter season, a Japanese-specific dining room featuring Kobe beef is available. An authentic yakiniku restaurant, Meat Master Nakazawa, specializing in fresh Wagyu beef, is also affiliated with the hotel and provides transportation for guests. Dinner courses, particularly the Chinese cuisine, receive high praise and are sometimes compared to Michelin-starred restaurants.

5. Service & Staff

The hospitality at Sierra Resort Hakuba is a consistent strong point. Guests commend the staff for being "amazing, kind, and helpful". They are known for their warm welcome, attentiveness, and willingness to go above and beyond, assisting with transport bookings, restaurant reservations, and general inquiries. While some feedback suggests service prioritizes guest privacy and may not always be overtly enthusiastic, staff are consistently patient and helpful when assistance is needed.

6. Location & Accessibility

The resort is situated in a quiet, private area amidst a forest, providing a tranquil and beautiful setting. It's located between Hakuba Iwatake and Tsugaike Ski Resorts. While the resort is approximately 5.6 km (2.5-3 miles) from the city center, it offers convenient transport facilities. A free shuttle service transports guests to various ski resorts in the Hakuba Valley, including Tsugaike, Iwatake, Happo-One, Goryu, and Hakuba 47, as well as Hakuba Train Station and Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal. There's also a free night shuttle bus to recommended restaurants. On-site free parking and car hire services are available for those who prefer to explore independently.

7. Value & Pricing

Sierra Resort Hakuba is often seen as providing excellent value for money, with guests appreciating the balance between quality of service and reasonable prices. Average room prices can vary significantly depending on the season and room type, with ranges reported from around $191 to over $800. Compared to the average hotel room price in the city, Sierra Resort Hakuba is considered to offer exceptional value.

8. Common Complaints

While overwhelmingly positive, some recurring criticisms include:

Shuttle Service Inflexibility: Although a shuttle service is available, some guests have found the schedule to be limited or inflexible, requiring advance booking, which can be inconvenient for spontaneous outings. Access to ski areas can feel a bit far without reliable shuttle service.
Room Condition: A few guests have mentioned that the rooms, while spacious, can appear a bit dated, and some found the pillows and beds to be uncomfortably hard.
Check-in/Check-out Times: The strict check-in time of 3:00 PM and early check-out of 10:00 AM, with charges for extensions, have been a point of dissatisfaction for some guests. Breakfast ending at 9:30 AM was also cited as being a short window.
Restaurant Service: While the food generally receives high praise, isolated incidents of subpar restaurant service, including issues with freshness and staff friendliness, have been reported.
Limited English-speaking staff: Although many staff members are proficient in English, some guests noted difficulties communicating with certain front desk staff.