The Westin Rusutsu Resort

Environment: This is an international hotel chain with the largest room types in the Rusutsu Highlands. It's located within the ski resort, but it's not a complete ski-in/ski-out experience; you need to take a gondola to reach the slopes. For dining and hot springs, you can take a small train to the Rusutsu Convention Center on West Mountain, and all its facilities are accessible. Service: The front desk has Chinese-speaking staff, and the check-in process was very smooth. However, you're not allowed to wear slippers to breakfast, so the rules are quite strict. Facilities: Although the hotel isn't brand new, it's well-maintained. It has restaurants (both Japanese and Western), a relatively spacious hot spring area (the outdoor pool is a bit small, not as good as the one at the North Wing of the Rusutsu Convention Center), shops, and ski rental services. The rooms are duplex (two-story) and very spacious, making them ideal for families or groups of friends traveling together.

I rarely leave reviews, but I wanted to give fellow skiers some tips. The Rusutsu ski resort is similar to China's Beidahu – it's huge, with diverse slopes suitable for everyone from beginners to advanced carvers and powder hounds. There are plenty of lifts, so you don't have to worry about overcrowding. It's also great for families looking for a first-time experience, as it's very beginner-friendly and will make new learners feel like natural talents. However, the hotel does have its flaws: Service: Many people complain about the poor attitude, and it's true. It's worse than your average Westin. They hand you a room card and a piece of paper, without a smile or any extra information. Of course, not all staff are like this; a few are quite professional and at least put on a good front. Room: It's big, but impractical. The entrance is on the bedroom level, while the living room is downstairs. If you're here to ski, you'll have to haul your ski bag and luggage down a flight of stairs (and a spiral one at that, making it even harder with luggage). After a full day of skiing, who wants to climb stairs? But you have no choice, as the bathroom is downstairs and the bedroom is upstairs. What a bizarre design! Dining: Breakfast is mediocre. For a Westin-level hotel, the variety is limited, and there are no Japanese options. It's a step below what you'd find at a typical four-star hotel in Japan. You might consider the Vale Hotel, which is also ski-in/ski-out, and looks newer and more stylish.

The room was perfectly satisfactory in terms of cleanliness, facilities, and size. The view was also breathtaking, I absolutely loved it. My only minor complaint would be about the short-haired female staff member at the front desk who provided Chinese-language service. Her attitude was very robotic, especially during our New Year check-in. She responded to guests mechanically, completely devoid of any warmth. Speaking the same language, it was quite off-putting to encounter such a cold demeanor. Thankfully, the hotel's other staff members, who spoke different languages, managed to salvage what could have been a poor start. The chef even came out personally to thank guests after the dinner service, and the buffet chef patiently helped us reserve a table for the incredibly popular buffet when we met him. These experiences truly reflect the quality and professionalism of the hotel's management. Additionally, the cleaning staff were very polite and always greeted us. It's just that particular Chinese-speaking female front desk staff, for some unknown reason, always seemed to have a displeased expression while standing at the reception. Sigh. The hotel's shuttle bus service to and from New Chitose and Sapporo City is very convenient, but you need to book it online in advance. There are both free and paid options, depending on your pick-up location, and the earliest departures are quite early. The buffet was very affordable, and the front desk reminded us that Marriott members get a significant discount. Being a ski hotel, facilities like the onsen pool and shops only open after 2 PM.

The hotels I chose for this trip to Japan were all amazing! At Rusutsu Niseko, I got to ski while enjoying the scenery, which really lifted my spirits. We perfectly dodged two blizzards by staying in between them. A truly enjoyable trip!

The hotel is a bit old, but it's okay. Booked it for a ski trip.

The hotel rooms are spacious, and ski-in/ski-out access is super convenient. Renting ski gear is also a breeze, thumbs up! 👍 The hotel's hot springs are great too, 👍 perfect for skiing and soaking every day without missing a beat. The buffet restaurant is convenient for all three meals, or you can take a little train to Xishan for an Izakaya experience. The ski resort environment is on par with Niseko, but much less noisy. The ski trails are beautiful! 👍

Facilities: The room is quite spacious for Japan, split over two floors. It's very new, though going downstairs to use the toilet is a bit inconvenient. As a ski hotel, it's already quite good. Breakfast was packed; if you wanted a window seat, you had to be there right when it opened or just get lucky. Eating breakfast between 8 and 9 AM meant queuing for a table, and even when there were clearly window seats available, they made me sit elsewhere. I saw that they wouldn't let me switch, which was quite frustrating. The onsen (hot spring) felt a bit dirty; compared to many other Japanese onsens, there were too many floating particles.

Facilities: The hotel is old and renovated, with very low ceilings. Taller individuals might hit their head in the bathroom. Cleanliness: Usually cleaned in the afternoon or evening; a basic tidying up. Environment: The natural surroundings are great. Encountering fresh powder snow made for very comfortable skiing. Service: Friendly, but with many people, you'll have to queue.