Scenic Hotels in Biei

"Pros: 1. There's a free shuttle bus from Asahikawa Station to the hotel. It was just me and my friend on the bus, and the driver was super enthusiastic, constantly using a translator to point out the scenery along the way. 2. The buffet food was delicious. Definitely go for both breakfast and dinner; it's excellent value for money, especially since there aren't many other restaurants nearby. 3. It's super close to Shirogane Blue Pond (Biei Shirogane Aoiike), just a two-minute walk. It wasn't crowded when we went in the morning. 4. There's a Chinese-speaking staff member at the front desk, which made communication very easy. 5. There's an arcade and gashapon machines. Even though they're old, they were quite fun to play with. Cons: 1. The rooms are old, and the soundproofing is poor. I could hear the person snoring next door. 2. There aren't many hot springs baths, and the outdoor bath was very mediocre. Someone must have peed in it before, as there was a specific Chinese sign on the door saying, 'No peeing in the hot spring bath.'"

"Location The location of Auberge Ninguruforet is a bit remote and far from the main town center of Biei. There are no nearby convenience stores like Lawson or Family Mart, so guests need to plan ahead for their meals and supplies. This can be inconvenient, especially for larger groups with elderly or young children who may have difficulty walking long distances in the cold winter weather. Check-in ProcessTo improve the check-in experience, it would be helpful if the hotel could request guests to provide their passport details in advance. This would allow for a smoother and faster check-in, without the need for guests to go back and forth to their cars in the freezing temperatures just to take photos for the registration process. Check-out Confusion Even though the hotel had implemented the CCTV audio system to provide clear instructions, the language barrier appears to have caused some confusion for me during the check-out. This can be a common challenge, especially in more remote locations where the staff may not be as fluent in English. Breakfast Since our group requires halal food, it's understandable that we did not include the breakfast option in our package. The hotel could consider offering more diverse breakfast options to cater to different dietary needs in the future. Luggage Handling and Car Access One of the key issues we faced was the need to transport our luggage from the parking area to the unit using carts, rather than being able to drive our car closer to the entrance. This was especially challenging given the freezing -10°C temperatures at night .To improve this, it would be greatly appreciated if the hotel could allow guests to drive our cars closer to the entrance, even if just temporarily, to drop off the luggage. This would avoid the need for guests, especially those traveling with elderly or young children, to struggle with pushing heavy carts through the frigid weather. Scenery Despite the challenges, the stunning winter scenery at Auberge Ninguruforet seems to have made up for it. The -8°C temperature that morning must have created a true winter wonderland, with the beautiful snow-covered landscapes and crisp, clear skies. This picturesque setting is surely a highlight of your stay.Overall, with some improvements to the location accessibility, check-in/out procedures, and guest services, Auberge Ninguruforet could provide an even more enjoyable experience, especially for larger groups traveling with families. The breathtaking winter scenery, however, remains a major draw for this property. We will surely come again to Auberge Ninguruforet, this time leaving our larger luggage in the car and only carrying the essentials we need for our stay in our backpacks. This will allow us to avoid the hassle of transporting heavy bags through the frigid weather, and instead focus on enjoying the stunning winter scenery.By packing light and only bringing what we need for the duration of our visit, we can easily move between our car and the hotel entrance without the struggle of pushing carts through the snow. This will make the check-in and check-out process much smoother, especially for our group with elderly and young family members.Despite the minor inconveniences we experienced previously, the breathtaking winter wonderland at Auberge Ninguruforet remains a major draw for us. We look forward to returning, better prepared to handle the cold temperatures, and immersing ourselves in the serene, picturesque setting that this property offers. With a few adjustments to our packing and luggage management, we are confident our next stay will be an even more enjoyable and memorable experience."

"Hotel staff are very friendly with clear instructions in english. The room was on the level above some steps without lift so not convenient for people with big luggage. Room was decent in size with small bathroom. Room decoration can be improved. Food provided by the hotel is good and decent variety. Check out was smooth."

"The facilities are generally old. I think people might have different opinions on the facilities and cleanliness. I was a bit surprised that the room key and locker key were actual physical keys. The hot spring facilities are old, but they give a natural hot spring feel, so it's not bad. Breakfast is simple but offers a good variety of Japanese dishes. The location is great as it's right next to major tourist attractions. However, it's quite secluded with nothing around, and the way there isn't easy to find."

"It is a B&B run by ********* and speaks Chinese. Dinner and breakfast are charged separately. Dinner is 4,500 yen and breakfast is 1,500 yen. I went there once in autumn and winter, and the food has not changed. If you are staying consecutively or going there for the second time, it is recommended to inform the owner in advance, and they will update some dishes for you. The room is a bit old and the public bathroom on the first floor is not open. If you have a car at night, it’s very convenient to go to Shinei-no-oka to watch the stars!"

"My favorite place this time is Meijuan. The off-season is very quiet with few people. The homestay is small and beautiful. The breakfast made by yuki sauce is very delicious. The bicycle makes me perfect to see the sunset and sunrise. There is no convenience store nearby, so it is recommended to replenish food near the station before coming. Come back next time."

"It’s a sparkling clean and centrally located hotel with an old-school focus on guest comfort. The whole time I was here, I felt like everything was taken care of and everything works to make the guest feel welcome and at peace. The breakfast spread is good, but I would suggest making them a little tastier. There Re several highly-rated restaurants within 5-minute walking distance from the hotel. Parking is just 30m away. All in all, I enjoyed my one night stay very much."

"Very good value, including two meals, the ingredients are prepared by the proprietress herself. The boss also drove us to the jr station in the morning. The room was very warm and took a lot of photos. When we used to walk for about 40 minutes, it is recommended to take a taxi. The surrounding area is very deserted. Cool Meixuan is a fairy tale town"

"For our last night in Hokkaido, we drove all the way from Kushiro to this small hotel in Biei. The hotel was tiny, and although it had a second floor, there was no elevator. The staff were incredibly enthusiastic and even helped us carry our luggage, which made us feel a bit embarrassed. Our room came with a private open-air onsen, so it was quite spacious, but the futon mattress was a little hard. It made me miss my smart electric mattress back home! The food here was also great; both breakfast and dinner were typical Japanese cuisine, perfectly to my liking. Definitely recommended!"