Hakuba Sunvalley Hotel

We stayed in the hotel’s second building and didn’t have very high expectations, but we were pleasantly surprised. It’s a simple hotel with exceptionally kind and helpful staff. The gentleman at reception was very welcoming and took the time to explain where the ski school was located, and also helped us issue our day passes. There’s also a ski rental shop located right under the hotel, which makes getting equipment completely stress-free. The hotel’s proximity to the slopes is a huge advantage—it’s only a short walk away, which is truly invaluable on a ski trip. The room itself was basic but very clean. We stayed as a family of three and had a comfortable double bed, plus an extra area with floor beds for our son, which he absolutely loved as it was a fun and different experience for him. The room also included thoughtful amenities such as yukata, fleece robes, and local slippers. For a ski trip, this type of simple, clean, and well-located accommodation is more than sufficient and works perfectly.

Our experience at Sun Valley Hotel in Hakuba Valley was extremely disappointing. We arrived and left within an hour and did not stay the night. The condition of the hotel did not match the photos or expectations set online. There was a strong, pervasive smell throughout the property, along with visible mold and dirt on the walls. The initial room was very small. While compact rooms are common in Japan, the layout would have been uncomfortable after skiing. The bed was a box spring placed directly on the floor up some very narrow stairs. The room itself might have been acceptable if everywhere else was clean and well maintained, but the smell and overall condition of the hotel made it feel unwelcoming. Cleanliness concerns led us to ask to see a second room. The annex room was larger and had a slightly better layout, but it still smelled strongly of mold and appeared dirty. The hotel also markets itself as ski-in, ski-out, but the ski lift was not running and looked as if it had been out of service for a long time, with all lifts off the line. In addition The staff told us skis were available for rent in the basement, but given the musty, dirty, and poorly maintained condition of the hotel, we did not feel comfortable using their equipment, even as experienced skiers. The location was very isolating. On the drive up, we were told there was nothing around the hotel, which was accurate, and getting anywhere would have been difficult since taxis and Ubers struggled to reach the area. Overall, this hotel did not meet expectations, and we chose to leave almost immediately. Hakuba Valley has many other excellent hotels that offer clean, well-maintained rooms, convenient access to the slopes, and friendly, professional service. Travelers will have far better experiences staying at alternative accommodations in the area.

Worst Location Ever and the Driver that picked us at the station was really really rude