I'm a snowboarder🏂 who visits Hakuba at least five times each season, but I usually stay in accommodations around ¥5,000. This was my first time staying in a luxury villa that's a cut above the rest.🏠
Of course, the space is luxurious and beautiful, but what surprised me most was that it wasn't cold at all! The large, wall-to-wall windows are picture windows offering a beautiful view of the snowy scenery! But with so many openings, won't it be cold? 🤔 The living room with its high void feels incredibly open! But won't it be cold with such high ceilings? 🤔
I had no worries about that at all. The fixtures and fittings are airtight and well-insulated, and the underfloor heating keeps me cozy. In fact, it's almost hot! lol It was so comfortable I couldn't believe it was winter in Hakuba. Luxury villas are truly built on a different level...🤗
It's common for vacation rentals to only have one shower or bath, which means you have to wait in line, but here, each bedroom has its own shower or bath, so there's no need to worry about that at all. That said, if you come all the way to Hakuba, you'll definitely want to go to a hot spring! ♨
The kitchen is fully equipped, there's a washer/dryer, and the bedding is definitely top-notch. There was nothing I wish I had. This is definitely more comfortable than my own home... 😇 For people who ski a lot like me, staying at a budget inn and going to Echoland for dinner is the standard, but I thought a luxurious stay like this would be nice every once in a while.
If you avoid peak season and stay with a maximum of 14 people, the cost per person is more reasonable, and since restaurants are hard to find with 14 people, why not just cook your own meals together in the villa? It seems like it would open up new possibilities for enjoyment. I'd like to incorporate this into my future stays in Hakuba with some ingenuity. 😉
By the way, if you follow Google Maps' directions, you'll be directed to the side of the Happo slopes, but be aware that you can't access it from the Happo side. You enter from the Wadano Forest side. There is an alley to the right of Hakuba Grand Apartments, so go down that alley and go around the north of Hakuba Grand Apartments to arrive. We recommend setting your navigation system to Hakuba Grand Apartments. Also, the private road in Wadano Forest is inaccessible to snowplows, so it gets bumpy when it snows, but if you drive slowly you'll be fine.