Scout loves
- The friendly ski lodge atmosphere, with a welcoming communal lounge & bar area.
- Good coffee – the illy coffee sign outside is enough to make even the most discerning coffee drinker salivate.
- Great food at the restaurant.
- Staff are extremely friendly and helpful.
Scout tips
- Book early! This hotel is popular and gets booked out quickly.
- Double Black is located in a nice, quiet area in Lower Wadano, but still within walking distance of the Happo-one and Lower Wadano village areas.
- There are scheduled ski shuttles in the morning and afternoon and the staff will make other runs (to restaurants and etc) on request.
SCOUT REVIEW
Double Black is a boutique-style hotel in Hakuba that has got it right on so many levels.
With only 24 rooms the size is perfect – small enough so that the service feels personal and you can get to know the other guests, yet large enough so it doesn’t feel like a bed and breakfast (not that we have anything against them). Scout loves the ski-lodge feel (helped by its log cabin exterior) and we also really enjoyed spending time in the communal lounge and bar area. Adding to the appeal is the daily Happy Hour (5-6pm) which keeps the place busy and happening. This is where skiers congregate, get to know each other and swap stories from the day.
And while Double Black caters perfectly to Western tastes, we love that it doesn’t try to pretend it’s not in Japan. Guests are required to take off their shoes off at the entrance and slip into some comfy slippers provided by the hotel. Although the rooms have Western mattresses, they are still decorated in a Japanese style with tatami mats and rice paper partitions.
Each room has its own en-suite, complete with a shower. The Diamond Suites have a little more space with an extra little living area. Double Black also has a separate men’s and women’s onsen which can be hired out for private use by families or couples.
The standard rooms are on the small size, but between skiing, the lounge and the onsen you’re unlikely to spend much time in your bedroom, apart from when you’re sleeping of course.
Who should stay here
Double Black is perfect for older-than-young but younger-than-old (we refuse to call it middle-aged) groups of friends, couples or singles. It isn’t rowdy, instead it has a buzzing, casual, social atmosphere. Double Black is also a good hotel for families.
Scout Customer Reviews
Double Black is a great hotel, you feel like you are in a winter wonderland when you open the curtains and look outside in the morning. The staff are super friendly and helpful and always willing to assist when asked. Great coffee first thing in the morning and a good selection of food and beer in the evening. - Scott, Scout customer, Jan 2018
Location
Black Diamond is situated in the lower part of Lower Wadano. You can walk to all the restaurants and bars in Happo Village down a hill that can be icy (about 7 minutes’ walk). It’s also a bit dark at night so you may prefer a taxi home. The Wadano village restaurants and bars are all within easy walking distance. The hotel is about about a 10 minute walk along a fairly busy road to the Kokusai ski lift. But the hotel provides a shuttle service to the Happo-one gondola and Goryu resort each morning and afternoon. The public ski shuttles run from the Tokyu Hotel up the road.
You can find a map of Hakuba here.
- Hotel shuttle provided
- On or close to public shuttle route
About Hakuba
The Hakuba Valley is one of Japan's most popular ski destinations for Westerners. Made up of 10 ski resorts, including the most well-known Happo One, Cortina, Iwatake, Goryu, and Hakuba 47, there are plenty of options for skiers and snowboarders of all ability levels. Whether you're a powderhound in search of some epic pow turns, or just looking for some mellow cuisey groomers, you're sure to fall in love with the Hakuba region. Happo (the main village) and the surrounding districts of Wadano and Echoland have everything you need for your ski holiday, including international snowsports schools, rentals, guiding options, convenience stores, and countless restaurants and bars. The area is particularly Westernised to cater for the international skier, however, you can still experience glimpses of Japanese culture via local restaurants, onsens, and day tours. Close to Tokyo, Nagano and other ski resorts in the region, Hakuba is a perfect option for first time families, couples, and those who enjoy the Western comforts of home.
Read more about Hakuba and other hotels in the area.
Hotel Amenities
- 24-hour staff
- complimentary breakfast
- ski storage
- Complimentary shuttle bus pick up and drop off service
- Ski/ board hire pick up and drop off service
- International TV
- In-house onsens
- Full licensed bar & restaurant
- Espresso coffee machine
- Entertainment and games room, including Playstation and Wii
- Free wireless internet access
- Internet access via three dedicated guest computers
- Washing and drying facilities
Hotel Policies
Arrival Details: Double Black offers a complimentary pick-up from Hirafu Welcome Center or Kutchan Train station, however it must be arranged ahead of time. If you have not booked your transfers via Scout, please inform us at least 1 week prior regarding your arrival details as we must inform Double Black.
- All guests may be required to give their full name, age, passport number, postal address, nationality and occupation on or prior to check-in, in compliance with Japanese Law.
- Property is non-smoking.
- Cots (cribs) and highchairs can be requested at time of booking and are subject to availability and an extra charge.
- Guests accept responsibility for damage to the property, fittings, furniture, keys and other chattels caused during their occupation, including any consequential losses incurred.
- Credit card details and authorization may be required to be provided upon prior check-in as a security deposit.
- Check-out is 10AM.
- Late check-outs may be possible on a request basis and a charge applies.
- Parking during winter months is severely restricted and must be requested and confirmed for each booking if required.
Available: This selection is currently available for this price. Once you submit an inquiry our agents will confirm your booking via email and send you an invoice for a deposit. You will need to pay a 25% deposit within 7 days (unless otherwise specified) to secure the booking.
On Request: Our agents need to confirm availability of this room. Once you submit a request we will endeavour to get back to you by the next business day to confirm availability (some properties may take longer). If prices are listed they are the exact prices for your dates, room selection and room occupancy. Where prices are not listed we will confirm the price when we confirm availability. In either instance, you are not committed to your selection until after we confirm availability and price. Once you agree to that confirmation, you will be sent an invoice and will need to pay a 25% deposit within 7 days (unless otherwise specified) to secure the booking. If your requested room is not available, we will present alternative options.
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