This has been the absolute BEST hotel i’ve stayed at so far. The facilities are top-notch, room super clean and spacious and the view is just phenomenal. Though the hotel is not a ski in and ski out hotel, everything is very well connected. The vale is connected to the Rusutsu Resort which allows you to travel around without ever going outside and is also connected to the Westin Rusutsu via monorail within Rusutsu resort. The food is a bit pricy but there are convenience stores very very close by (just across the road from Rusutsu Resort) with really good food options if you’re looking for something affordable. The activities are also very well-connected and you need not travel very far from the vale to participate in them (you will need to make advance bookings in case they sell out on the day itself and pay for them). Also I don’t rly understand the hate for the service, it is very clear on the site with all the relevant check in information and the staff were extremely helpful and kind when we were stuck at the airport when our flight in was cancelled and we missed out bus to the hotel. They messaged me immediately with solutions to get to the resort and I really appreciated that.

NOTHING, everything was perfect - will definitely come back.

Loved the apartment layout and aesthetic. Also really enjoyed the onsen, although it was a little walk to get to. Easy, mostly downhill walk to the ski lifts, and the resort itself has some great terrain. Concierge was excellent at organising dinner bookings, including recommendations and shuttles.

Found the apartment thermostat quite difficult to control - if it was on, the apartment was way too hot, so was mostly off with the window cracked open. Also found the property to be mostly international guests, some of whom were quite entitled/rude, which is a different vibe to smaller, more Japanese oriented resorts I've been based at previously.

It is a Ski in Ski Hotel, just the way to the chair lift is not suitable for very beginners. Skiing back is halfway from the slopes directing to the hotel locker rooms. But good enough. If not there is on demand shuttle to bring/pick you to the ski area - 2mins ride but maybe a 5 -10 mins wait. This is more like a service apartment than hotel. The room is spacious, full equipment kitchen. Convenience stores are nearby to get some instant food if you want to cook. Washer and Dryer in the room that makes the entire stay really awesome. Staffs are friendly and prompt as well.

Breakfast here is limited. The only cafe downstairs has limited and little food options. Limited means not a wide variety of sandwiches. By 8am, most of the sandwiches have ran out and no top ups. And you can only choose 1 x sandwich and some cookies. The entire cafe has 1 x self help coffee machine. The buffet breakfast restaurant is located at the ski area. If u are unable to ski to the ski area, you can opt to walk to the ski area. Takes 10-15 mins depending on the equipment's you bring along. And no bathtub. :(

Vale apartments are connected to Rusutsu Resort and best accessed if not using private motor vehicle through resort, although quite long walk with different lift/escalators. Accommodation is modern, clean, quiet, well furnished, included kitchen and supported by helpful reception staff. Access to ski field is convenient and easy. Included breakfast in Rusutsu resort is much apreciated.

Central heating is difficult to adjust and had to turn off and open single window for pleasant temperature. Television is limited to Japanese, unless you have paid Netflix or other accounts. Wi-fi is modern but cannot be accessed, if using older computer versions, so had to utilise free wi-fi in reception. Hokkaido resort liner from airport will leave you at Rusutsu resort main entrance and you need to make your own way to Vale apartments via the extensive long resort hallways and lift/escalators. Vale reception will not assist you to Rusutsu main entrance, if using public transport.

Location, room size, freedom and peace in the room, ability to do washing and cook. Basically home away from home.

Not a negative, but a recommendation that in the future for people checking out, that if they are skiing on the checkout day, they be allowed to use a locker and changinf rooms. This was an issue since the bus was around 5pm and we skiied until around 3pm. And obviously need to change clothes etc. So please consider this - even if a cost is involved, guests including myself would happily pay for the convenience. Since we are planning on returning in January 2026, it would be greatly appreciated🤞

Great ski in/ski out location. Nice locker area for skis/gear, convenient benches to put on boots and gear. Go out the door about 10 steps and your on a gentle grade that goes right down to the lifts. At the end of the day take that same lift up and follow a nice downward path (with signs) right back to the Vale, walk 10 steps and your back in the locker room. Super comfortable rooms, nice floor plan with galley style kitchen that is well equipped for dining in when desired.

The lobby is beautiful with a nice polished tile floor. However, it is quite slippery! Fell down and landed square on my bottom. While the lobby flooring is attractive and certainly easy to clean, I would suggest some traction strips or traction bumps as I frequently see in other hotels I have stayed at in Japan.

One of the best hotel I’ve ever stayed!! Gonna missed the experience so much!! 1.High level of interior design (LOVE the heated wooden floors) and excellent snow view. Apartment-like rooms are equipped with everything you need, from laundry to cooking 2.The free shuttle bus is super good - can take u to convenience store and wait for u if do a quick round - very much needed during winter time! 3.Bit of walking to a few restaurants & main ski areas, but it’s all in-hotel travel so durable! And love the ski in ski out & buffet breakfast! 4.Staff are nice and friendly

just Rusutsu Resort staff cannot really speak English and explain things well 😢 Also kinda scamming tourists for the coin locker for ¥1000 yen when they don’t have cash, where they can simply direct u to the currency change machine 10m away but they just wouldn’t :((

Perfect for ski-in/out at Rusutsu. Concierge service is excellent, they helped with restaurant recommendations/ bookings, transport to International ski school, rental, etc.... All the staff were friendly and helpful. 2 bedroom residence has everything you need and everything in the room was clean and well-maintained.

It's early in the season, so the concierge might not be updated on some information on the ski resort. For example, they couldn't confirm if the West mountain lift ticket office was open. Check in also took a while but its understandable, as the check-in staff has a lot to explain. But might be better if they left some introduction to another front desk staff who is not handling checkin or one of the concierge, to move things along faster.

The penthouse is new, very nice and spacious, suitable for large families or group. Each room has its own bathroom with hot water; toiletries, nice shampoo, shower gel and body lotion were also provided. Theres a well equipped kitchen, and a set of washer and dryer. It's a quiet area with nice view, we enjoyed it. It could've been a 10/10 stay if the outdoor balcony area was accessible.

Unfortunately during this season, the outdoor balcony was infested by large amount of stink bugs and we could not access to the balcony at all. We could not use the nice open air jacuzzi and BBQ pit during our stay, which was rather disappointing. Some stink bugs sneaked indoor and we had to get rid of them ourselves. Perhaps the management could take some preventive measures towards such bug infestation, and also mention such condition for this season on the listing page so people would be made aware before confirming the booking.

Beautiful apartment with all the facilities you need. Very clean and comfortable. Great view. Connected to the onsen and Rustsu resort so you don't have to trek outside.

The breakfast buffet was average quality and closed at 9, which is a bit early. However, there were 4 options for breakfast - one Chinese, one Japanese, one bakery style/sandwich takeaway and the buffet. We didn't try the Chinese or Japanese only because I was with my young child and he wouldn't eat that for breakfast. The takeaway option was good but still a bit limited in options. Small downfall I would say.