Kiroro offers two hotels within the Marriott portfolio: Sheraton Hokkaido Kiroro Resort (featured here) with 140 guestrooms and suites; and Tribute Portfolio Hotel with 281 guestrooms. Photo Credit: Kiroro Resort
HOKKAIDO – Kiroro Resort, a premier year-round resort destination in the heart of Hokkaido’s Yoichi mountains, is re-opening on 1 July 2020. Popular with ski aficionados for long ski seasons and short lift lines, Kiroro is emerging as a world-class resort and an all-season destination in Japan. Its two five-star hotels and luxury ski-in ski-out private residences, have launched Kiroro Cares, a new elevated hygiene standards programme.
“We look forward to welcoming our guests back to the resort,” explained Mr Watanabe Hirofumi, GM, Kiroro Resort. “After several months of staying close to home, we see a pent-up demand for travel and vacation, especially to destinations that offer beautiful outdoor spaces, privacy and the opportunity for wellness experiences.
“By its very nature, Kiroro is the ideal getaway for outdoor recreation with spacious and luxurious accommodations that are distinctly affordable and amenable to business and individual travellers.”
Kiroro Cares enhanced protocols
Guests can expect to see associates wearing masks – a longstanding custom in Japan to protect others. They will wash hands frequently and maintain social distance.
Upon check-in, guests will have their temperature measured and travel history reviewed. All touchpoints, equipment, elevators and public spaces will be thoroughly sanitised on a regular basis with the highest-grade disinfectants. For added guest health and convenience, alcohol disinfectant has been installed at all hotel entrances, front desks, restrooms as well as entrances to all amenities.
The guest rooms will be cleaned each day with alcohol disinfectant with extra care given to all touchpoints, like doorknobs, drawers, handles, and remote controls.
Room ventilation is maintained daily and the resort’s amenities and facilities, such as the gondolas, Mountain Center and other public spaces will be disinfected thoroughly before and after use.
All public spaces, including restaurants, lounge areas, and elevators, have been modified for social distancing. Floor markings and seating areas give guests clear guidance, and plastic shields at all service counters give an added layer of protection for guests and associates.
The Yoichi mountains offer year-round outdoor activities for meeting and incentive groups. Photo Credit: Kiroro ResortA natural setting
The 140-room Sheraton Hokkaido Kiroro Resort has two restaurants at the base of the slopes; and The Kiroro, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel with 281 guestrooms and suites has mountain vistas from every room and five dining options.
The newly opened Yu Kiroro is a collection of exclusive ski-in/ski-out private residences at the base of the mountain. The freehold residences offer premium services, such as ski valet, a natural indoor-outdoor onsen, 24-hour concierge service, fitness center and lounge, and all-day dining.
The entire Kiroro Resort is connected by the Gateway Express combination gondola-chairlift that runs from the front of The Tribute Portfolio hotel and the new Yu Kiroro residences to the Sheraton Hokkaido Resort.
MICE group focus
Mr Martin Raich, VP, Kiroro Resort Holdings, said: “Programming is personalised as we assign a dedicated skilled associate to support MICE organisers to get through those many regulations that need to be met. In doing so, we support organisers’ personal objectives.
“The resort is ideal for hosting meetings, as it is surrounded by expansive, picturesque outdoor scenery, encouraging guests to step outside of the meeting room, breathe in the fresh, crisp air and partake in fun, team building activities.”
These include mountain biking, waterfall hiking, personal/guided cross country walking, tennis (one-day buyout available for groups), park golf, fruit picking at local farms, dining at Kiroro’ outdoor cafés and camping.
Suggested group activities include a journey through Hokkaido’s meats and vegetables. “We can arrange for attendees to go to the farm where we actually buy, then prepare those ingredients into a fun BBQ so guests can enjoy them self and bond despite social distancing rules being implemented,” said Mr Raich.
Training classes for 200 pax can be done in the ballroom, outside venues or on Mount Asari. Guests then bike down the hill back to Tribute Portfolio Hotel or to Hoppy Hill to enjoy refreshments.
The entire Sheraton Kiroro is also available for rent. Themed coffee breaks have individual options and each person will be allocated a table to himself.
The resort is a 100-minute drive from New Chitose Airport; 60 minutes from Sapporo city; 30 minutes from Otaru city; and 45 minutes from Niseko.