사진 확대 Private Infinity Hot Spring Muwa Niseko
A luxury hotel has opened in Niseko, Hokkaido, Japan, which is on the bucket list of nature lovers. “Muwa Niseko,” which opened in December last year, received a Michelin one-key from the “2024 Michelin Guide” Japanese hotel collection in half a year. It is an achievement as an independent brand, not a global chain.
The Yotei Mountain, called Mount Fuji of Hokkaido, and the Niseko Mountains are quiet. It is not crowded with Koreans and tourists like Kyoto. The “powder snow” presented by Hokkaido Climate is considered a sacred place for skiers around the world. Niseko, which also drew attention as a vacation home for Alibaba founder Jack Ma, has emerged as a resort and ski destination for the world’s richest people.
Muwa Niseko, located in Grand Hirafu, Niseko’s representative ski resort district, starts its first winter season with “sold out.” Michelin Key is a hotel evaluation system introduced by Michelin Guide last year. Michelin Star’s restaurant evaluation criteria were applied to hotels. Evaluation is differentiated from one to three. Three keys represent the best service and design accommodation experience, two keys represent excellent accommodation with high-quality service, design, and location, and one key represents a unique accommodation with luxury and original personality.
Hotel design was undertaken by Nikken Sekei, Asia’s top architectural design company. I made a space where you can feel the four seasons of Yotei-san and Niseko. The brand name ‘Muwa’ is inspired by ‘Muwa’, which means ‘I’ in French. It means ‘the place where I spend my time is myself’. The gap between the brand logo “M” contained a restrained sense of distance for “me-down time.”
사진 확대 Japan Hokkaido Muwa Niseko Resort Exterior Muwa Niseko
The exterior is designed to remind you of a village in the mountainous area of Hokkaido, and it looks like a small house is piled up. The traditional Japanese architectural style of ‘Tumai-ri’ roof and ‘Toedmaru (Engawa)’ were reinterpreted in a modern way. At the entrance, the stones found during construction work were used as artistic elements.
When you enter the hotel lobby, you will see the middle ground spread over the large window that was constructed with just one sheet. Jungjeong’s maple trees bring the change of seasons indoors. As natural lighting is transmitted indoors, it makes you feel as if you are staying in nature. Careful consideration can be seen from the space designed with subtle illumination.
The total number of rooms is 113, including a ski-in-out form in which the slope is unfolded when you step on it. The higher the rank room, the more high-end appliances and amenities are added. Most of the room furniture is ‘Time & Style’ products. Time & Style is the only Japanese company that buys and dries wood directly from a local factory in Hokkaido. Using the maple tree planted in Jungjeong as a motif, the maple tree branch pattern was also applied to the furniture design.
The room was designed in a long form, borrowing from the Kyoto Machiya method. All rooms are equipped with an integrated laundry dryer with both washing and drying functions. From the deluxe room to the shower room, you can enjoy the spectacular view of Yotei Mountain. When privacy is needed, it can be covered with blinds.
All rooms have loungewear inspired by Samue, a traditional Japanese clothing office. Amenity is a naturalistic skincare brand called Isop.
The lobby floor has various auxiliary facilities centered on the front desk. Hot springs are divided into public (public) and private (paid). The public also has a cold bath, a wide hot bath, and a dry sauna. The outdoor Infinity Hot Springs on the 7th floor is the highlight of Muwa Niseko. The moment you immerse yourself in a 42 degree natural hot spring water and drink a cup of tea while looking at the superb view of Yotei Mountain, your fatigue melts. Private hot springs can be used in a detached house for 75 minutes.
Food and beverage facilities are also on the lobby floor. You can experience differentiated Michelin-star restaurants in two Italian dining “HITO by TACUBO” and Japanese restaurant “Hiyama.”
We have also established a one-stop system for skiers. I put everything on the first floor for the skier. From the direct entrance to the slopes to ski rockers, rental services, and ski schools, it is solved in one space. There is no need to move to another floor, no complicated procedure. In winter, personal ski rockers are assigned at the same time as check-in. You can use the ballet service if you give your room number after the ski rental. After skiing, you can relax at a body care-oriented spa.
It operates an underground parking lot in consideration of the characteristics of the area where a lot of snow falls. Free transportation service is provided from where the airport limousine bus arrives to the hotel.
[Kwon Hyojung’s trip to Hokkaido + Reporter]
AloJapan.com