HOTEL GREEN PLAZA HAKUBA

Hotel Green Plaza Hakuba sits right next to Hakuba Cortina Ski Resort, a striking sight with its bright red roof standing out against the white slopes. The exterior feels so grand that it’s hard to believe it’s in Japan, and the interior matches that luxury-resort vibe: a spacious front lobby with a high atrium ceiling and a see-through elevator decorated with seasonal lighting. Guest rooms are very spacious—even the so-called standard rooms may make you wonder “Is this really standard?”—and there are also maisonette-style rooms suitable for families and group trips. Some rooms include massage chairs, a nice touch for easing ski fatigue. The bath facilities are extensive: a “bijin no yu” (beauty bath) using water that springs from a depth of about 1,221 m, an observation bath with views of the illuminated slopes, and a cascading ‘utase-yu’ (waterfall-style bath) to relax shoulders and lower back. The hotel is so large and well equipped that one night may not feel like enough to fully enjoy it. Only 10 seconds from the slopes—highly recommended for skiers.