Hakuba, JapanIwatake
Sierra Resort Hotel Hakuba
Alpine cedar lodge
Alpine cedar lodge
A timber lodge built to North American scale sits in deep woods, centered on its own hot spring.
What it’s good at
Notable
Natural thermal springs feed outdoor forest rock baths and three reservable private suites.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
the Sierra Resort spoils visitors with 25 acres of lovingly maintained gardens and verdant forest.
Tucked away
A place apart: the property is the destination.
The grounds border the Tsugaike Plateau, and winter shuttles connect to the ski lifts at Iwatake and Happo-One.
The rooms
Cedar-trimmed rooms look out over the forest, and suites have hot tubs on their balconies.
The pool
Bring a swimsuit.
The seasonal swimming pool sits on the garden lawn, bordered by sun loungers and pines.
The onsen
Soak slowly.
The bathhouse is built from Edo-period farmhouse timbers, with outdoor rock baths fed by the natural hot spring.
At the table
Dinner brings French courses of Shinshu vegetables and Sea of Japan seafood, served beside windows looking out on the snow.
How it began
The owners modeled the lodge on California's Sea Ranch, choosing wide cedar pavilions over compact hotel rooms.
The app
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.