Wadano Forest Hotel & Apartments

Had such an amazing stay at Wadano Forrest Hotel! Joanie was so kind and accommodating! The staff Daniel, Cody, Em, Ben, and Ai were awesome! Had an epic snowboarding trip and was super stoked that Wadano offered us rides to the slopes and made every day amazing! 10/10 I will definitely be back and HIGHLY recommend this place to anyone wanting to stay in Hakuba! - Cameron

We stayed for five nights at Wadano Forest and we loved it! Joanie and all her staff were all so friendly and helpful. Joanie, in particular, went out of her way to help us with transport one day because the roads were slippery and my 11-year-old daughter had to get from one slope to another for a ski lesson. They were also quite helpful with providing information about places to eat and other activities in the area. The breakfast bar was stacked with options and we had a nice view of the main entrance covered in snow from our room. We loved the Hakuba area too and would like to go back one day and if we do, we'll be sure to stay at Wadano Forest.

We had booked this accommodation in Hakuba for 3 nights in Jan24; family of 4 (2 adults and 2 adult/children). We were supposed to be picked up from the bus station by the accommodation and sent several emails to confirm that pick-up was still happening the day before (and day of) our arrival. Eventually receive a reply, that yes, they were picking us up at 4:30pm. Waited at for 20mins and then decided to phone as no one arrived (this is highly unusual in Japan for people not to show up on time!)y. The answered that "yeah, they are on the way, but they were running late"). Bear in mind we were waiting in -3C degrees waiting for someone to show up. When we went to check in the 2 boys (maybe early 20s) behind the counter were very lack-luster. Point to the building outside as to where we were staying - but no offer to help carry bags through the snow laden path; or even show us to our rooms. We struggled up to the building and couldn't get access inside - the door was locked. Went back to reception and only then did he get up from behind the counter to help us. We had to take off our shoes in the entrance area - strewn with what seemed like hundreds of wet shoes and then walk through the water logged entrance - no offer of slippers but an off-handed comment about "oh there should be some slippers in your room" (there wasn't). There was none of the usual information exchange when checking in; ie breakfast (evidently you can buy this in the hotel, but not sure where as there was only a fleeting mention on check out). We were disappointed at the presentation of the room; old curtains hanging off with hooks missing; noisy neighbours which made it feel like we were in a school dormitory rather than a $$$ accommodation. Thankfully these neighbours left the next day - but we were wondering what the hell we had booked into. There is no sound-proofing; you can hear everything in the corridor, stomping, loud talking etc. Shuttle bus is available to get to town, but you have to put your name down on a schedule and it was not readily available. The day we definitely needed to use it (check out) in order to catch the bus, only one shuttle vehicle was available and there was so many people waiting and everyone was late getting to their desired destinations. If you are looking for high quality Japanese service and style of accommodation that you find throughout Japan, this place will not provide you with it. It is fitted out with what seemed to be Ikea-style furniture; bunk beds in the second room that my youngest (tallest) son couldn't fit into so we had to put the mattress on the floor. Toilets are standard western-style toilet, not the Japanese "special" toilets (bidet, auto flush etc). All appointments throughout the suite was very basic western standard. The only view we had from the room was towards the back at other buildings - not the beautiful view as shown on the advertised room. We figured out that there is probably only 4 rooms

what a great hotel very quiet. bedroom was spacious and clean. Bed was very comfortable. Joanie and staff went out of their way to help and all spoke English. Always organising shuttles for us, including Joanie stopping to pick us up. Only downside was breakfast which was very nice when ready. hot food would not be out altogether and often had to wait. This happened at 7am or later. Also we didn't realise you had to book restaurant in advance. We really enjoyed our stay and would recommend.

We recently had a wonderful stay at Wadano Forest Hotel and Apartments. We had three families staying in the apartments which are new, warm and spacious with very comfortable beds. The staff are all friendly and warm and made it feel more like staying with family friends than a hotel! We loved the additional hospitality provided by Joanie and her team - they were always on hand to give our group lifts around town or suggest restaurants. They were also kind enough to provide me with soup when I was unwell. Thank you Joanie and your amazing team who gave us such a memorial Japanese experience!

We stayed at Wadano Forest along with other family and friends. Really enjoyed out stay, Joanie and the staff were very accommodating and helpful with bookings, shuttling us around Hakuba and were always friendly. The hotel is comfortable, the onsen perfect after a day skiing, breakfast great and our Shabu Shabu dinner was our best meal in Japan! Highly recommended