Hoshino Resorts Risonare Tomamu is a big property and probably, like all places in Hokkaido, more suited to winter, so consider that when reading this review, which is based on our recent summer visit. The rooms are huge at Hoshino Resorts Risonare Tomamu, we stayed in a two bedroom, and whilst the interiors were ok, the whole resort is definitely in need of an upgrade. Our bedroom stunk of smelly feet, although my wife didn’t notice (perhaps it was her feet!). There’s good views over the valley, but you don’t get much of a sunrise or sunset and the two towers below are a bit of an eye-sore. The sheets are the noisiest sheets we’ve ever slept in – something to consider if your wife or husband moves a lot. Beds were okay.
My biggest complaint at Hoshino Resorts Risonare Tomamu was the breakfast, this is a very popular place for kids/families so if you go for breakfast after 7a.m, expect a wait, despite the fact there will be plenty of tables available. Don’t know about you, but the breakfast needs to be spectacular if I have to wait for it. And it’s not. If you’re Japanese or Asian and have no problems eating a Japanese breakfast, it’s probably ok, but if you’re a Westerner looking for a big plate of bacon, hash browns, fried eggs and the like, you’re out of luck. The most you can get is an omelette which doesn’t have much taste. Toast is about the size of a credit card. There are a few places to eat breakfast, but we only ate in the South Tower of Risonare, which apparently has the least waiting time.
The so-called Mina-Mina Beach is an indoor swimming pool, they keep the temperature there inside at what seems about 38 degrees – not pleasant. Let’s get this straight – it’s not a beach, there is no sand. Waves are turned on every half an hour for 10 minutes and that’s quite fun for kids. Worth a visit but it’s not that pleasant inside this indoor swimming pool.
Hoshino Resorts Risonare Tomamu has many activities for kids here, some of which are quite good, like the fishing pond (catch and release), tennis, a whole mountain with a tree hut/fort, logs for climbing over, hay mazes, all good stuff to keep the young ones entertained but nothing to write home about. The staff were ok, not 5-star resort service, but nothing to really complain about. (If there was, I would definitely complain here!)
On the plus side, we saw a fox and a deer inside the resort grounds which was a big thing for our kid, so small things like that do make this resort an okay option if you’re looking for somewhere to stay in this area. The food was mediocre at best, and by the end of 4 days we were all very much looking forward to going back to Tokyo to get something decent.
We are planning a stay in Niseko in December for some skiing, but this visit has put us off a little bit. We may still go, understand it’s a lot different going in summer than in winter. I’ve read some reviews saying this is luxury at it’s finest – this would be the overstatement of the century and this reviewer must have never stayed at a true 5-star luxury resort. For a 2-3 day family visit, I’d say Hoshino Resorts Risonare Tomamu is absolutely fine and will satisfy the vast majority of families/people, but luxury it is most definitely not.
It’s not a bad resort, but the food, the ageing of the property and other factors need to be improved for it to be rated higher than 3 stars. For winter, I can see how it’d be different and probably a different experience.
Visit the Hoshino Resorts Risonare Tomamu website here.
