HakuVillas: Japan’s $30,000 Per Night Super Penthouse

Five stars doesn’t cut it for the visionaries behind HakuVillas, a luxury stay located right by the slopes of the best powder snow in the world, Niseko (Hokkaido). No, the HakuVillas team seeks a 6-star experience for their guests with the finest attention given to both the property and the service provided. From the award winning architecture using the finest materials sourced globally to the hand-picked, multilingual and multi-talented private team ready to make your wishes a reality, the list of what makes HakuVillas special is infinite. 

The Property

Conveniently located in Hirafu, just minutes from the ski slopes, the first floor of HakuVillas consists of restaurant HakuSteak – a marriage of French fine dining and American BBQ with Chinese and Japanese influences; a state-of-the-art golf simulation room that won HakuVillas the title of Japan’s Best Golf Hotel at the World Golf Awards; a gym and private spa rooms; as well as private dry rooms for all the villas. 

From walking around the first floor alone, the attention to detail is mind-blowing. Each dry room has a parking bay so that bulky snow gear can be brought directly in with minimal inconvenience. There is a bottomless drinks bar in the lobby so you can pour yourself a cold draft beer or espresso when the mood arises, and there are jars of everyone’s favorite snacks just in case the exquisite in-room welcome spread and apres ski platters aren’t enough (more on those later). And, of course, there is the aesthetics: a combination of slick, modern Japanese design and the warmth and nostalgia evoked from the numerous fireplaces and generous use of wood. It is no wonder that HakuVillas has won multiple design awards, including Architecture Masterprize Global Winner for Architecture in Hospitality Design.  

Moving onto the villas themselves, the floors above the lobby area are home to several full-floor, 300 square meter villas suitable for small groups. Each villa is aptly numbered with a Chinese lucky number, culminating in the star of the show: the 3-floor, 600 square meter Super Penthouse, aka Villa 888. 

The Super Penthouse

Spread over twice the area of the regular villas, the Super Penthouse has everything the villas have and then some. From the fully-fitted kitchen and dining room with centerpiece by US artist John Procario, to the living room complete with giant HD TV and fireplace; space, light and, of course, the magnificent panoramic views of Mt. Yotei on one side and the ski slopes on the other are some of the common themes running through the Penthouse. 

And then there’s the floor-to-ceiling wine cellar; the Bose zoned surround sound system; the international wall sockets; the sauna big enough to have a party in; the lower floor massage rooms, the upper floor granite fire pit and the main floor outdoor Hokkaido stone infinity onsen, all of which overlook the majestic ‘Mt. Fuji of the North’. The list goes on. 

Choose between the spiral staircase and the private elevator to get around the 3 floors. The 8 bedrooms, big enough to accommodate 16 guests in total, are all en suite and feature unique design details. Of particular note is the upper floor master bedroom with a walk-in closet, indoor onsen bath, and automatic shutters that open up to the ever-changing views of Mt. Yotei. 

Also located on the upper floor is the Mancave – kitted out with everything the modern (wo)man would want to kick back and relax: fully stocked bar, poker table, cigars, artisanal shuffleboard, giant HD TV, PS5, marble chess table, and so on. 

In other words, the Super Penthouse oozes both sophistication and comfort of the highest levels. It should come as no surprise then that over 70% of guests arrive by private jet and the per night price tag comes to $30,000 with a minimum 7-night stay. 

A ‘Typical’ Stay

There is probably no such thing as a typical stay at the HakuVillas Super Penthouse and the main reason for that is because aside from the impressive inventory, what makes the stay so unique is the team behind it. Ready to serve you from morning until night, your own private team of Chauffeur, Chef, and Host are there to ensure your stay is truly one-of-a-kind. 

On arrival, enjoy a glass of Dom Pérignon and a welcome spread put together by your Chef and served in the Penthouse kitchen. Using the finest ingredients, expect anything from homemade cured meats to Italian caviar and Hokkaido salmon roe. 

Feel like relaxing? Take a dip in the infinity onsen, your Host will be happy to pour you another glass of champagne – there’s nothing like bubbles in a hot spring!

Want to do something active? From skiing and snowboarding to snowmobiling and snowshoeing, sit back and relax while your Host makes the arrangements. When the time comes, your Chauffeur will escort you. One possible location for such activities is the nearby Hanazono Resort. When you’re finished for the day, your Chauffeur will be waiting for you. And if your heart desires a warming mug of cocoa in the snow, your wish is their command. 

A little peckish? When you get back to the Penthouse, you may find the irresistible smell of freshly baked cookies wafting from the kitchen. You can expect to find an apres ski spread: delightful petit fours such as Mt. Yotei shaped apple cheesecake and wagyu beef tartare. 

Need a drink? Change into something more comfortable and head to the Mancave, your Bartender will be waiting to pour you a whisky or to make you an original cocktail. We recommend the Yuzu Ginger: perfect on a cold day! Get a game going or sit by the fire pit, soaking up the cool night air and the quiet that all snow-covered landscapes seem to exude. 

Tummy rumbling? Watch your Chef rustle something up in the kitchen – whether it’s dinner or a midnight snack you’re in need of, you will not be disappointed. The famous HakuKatsu Sando shouldn’t be missed. Using the same wagyu as their HakuSteak, the tender meat is breaded and fried, then sandwiched between fluffy Japanese shokupan bread spread with housemade onion jam. It doesn’t stop there though, next come the toppings. Scallop ceviche, snow crab salad, salmon roe, and sea urchin – the HakuKatsu Sando celebrates the best of Hokkaido produce, combining the richness of the wagyu with the sweetness of fresh seafood. 

While some but not all dinners are included in the plan, all breakfasts are. Wake up to the smell of miso soup and grilled fish. After a heavy night, a traditional Japanese breakfast is the perfect start to the day. Not in the mood? Your Chef will be happy to make you something else. 

HakuVillas is more than just a hotel. It is an experience that captures all the senses, an opportunity that brings fantasy into the realms of reality, and a lifetime of memories that will make you want to come back over and over again.

Disclaimer: All information on this page is correct to our knowledge at the time of publication

Watch the full video below:

Watch the HakuKatsu Sando video below: