Industry News
The newly built Setsu Niseko at Niseko United Resort in Japan has won the 2023 award for Best New Ski Hotel at the World Ski Awards. The World Ski Awards were launched in 2013 by the brains behind the World Travel Awards. World Ski Awards uses a voting system with votes sourced from ski tourism industry professionals, travel buyers, tour operators, media, and the public.
Setsu Niseko opened its doors in August 2022 and offers 190 fully furnished Japanese-style apartments, ranging from studios to three, or four-bedroom penthouses. The hotel was designed by world-renowned architect Mok Wei Wei of W Architects and blends Japanese aesthetics with modern luxury. The rooms embrace the purity of Japanese design, featuring extensive use of local wood, daybeds with window seats, tatami rooms, shoji screens, and local artworks. Nestled between Mount Yotei and the ski slopes of Mount Annupuri in Hokkaido, the five-star hotel draws its name and design inspiration from the Japanese expression “setsu-getsu-ka,” which translates into “snow, moon, flowers.”
The Setsu Niseko features Nisekos’s largest wellness center encompassing 750 square meters (8,073 square feet), including a series of indoor and outdoor onsens, private onsen rooms, a spa lounge, sauna, gymnasium, yoga studio, and wellness spa. In addition, the hotel offers six restaurants and a ski rental shop to fulfill all your needs while skiing at Niseko.
Expressing his delight over the award, Simon Cheong, Founder and Chairman of SC Global Developments, the visionary behind the development of the property, remarked, “This tremendous achievement fills us with immense pride and was only made possible by the dedication of the SC Global family. A passion for excellence is ingrained in our DNA and to receive this global recognition is a testament to the hard work of the team. This award is wonderful news not just for the hotel, but for Niseko tourism at large, shining a spotlight on one of the finest ski destinations in the world.”
Hotel Manager Michiko Tamoto added, “We are all incredibly honored to receive this prestigious award and we would like to thank the industry, our guests, and the local community for their recognition and support. Your vote is a fitting tribute to the team’s dedication to providing an outstanding experience for our guests and we are looking forward to welcoming them back to Setsu Niseko this winter season.”
The ski area Niseko United is located on Japan’s island of Hokkaido and is about two hours from Chitose Airport. Niseko used to be four separate ski areas that were connected under the ‘Niseko United’ umbrella. The Niseko United Resort offers over 800 acres of skiable area, serviced by 30 lifts and three gondolas. Niseko is known as one of the snowiest ski areas in the world, with more than 50 feet (15 meters) of snowfall every year. The resort offers access to the famous Japanese powder dubbed ‘Japow’ through several backcountry access gates that the operator carefully monitors. Niseko United is partners with both Mountain Collective as well as IKON Pass.
