Luxury Healing Hotels Square 8 HAKUBA RETREAT by UNPLAN
399-9301 Nagano, Hakuba, 北城新田 10846, Japan
HOTEL OVERVIEW
You know what hits you first at Square 8 HAKUBA RETREAT? It’s honestly not what you’d expect from most ski town accommodations – there’s this immediate sense of calm that washes over you the moment you step inside. I mean, Hakuba can get pretty chaotic during peak season (especially when the powder hounds descend in January), but this place feels like someone designed it specifically as an antidote to all that mountain madness.
The UNPLAN folks have actually nailed something here that a lot of hotels in the area miss completely. Instead of going full rustic-cabin-overdrive like half the places along Route 406, they’ve created these spaces that feel genuinely modern but still somehow connected to where you are. The rooms have this minimalist thing going on – clean lines, natural materials, big windows that frame the Northern Alps perfectly – but it doesn’t feel sterile or cold like some of those cookie-cutter mountain resorts. Actually, I found myself just sitting by the window in the morning with coffee, watching the light change on the peaks, which honestly isn’t something I usually have patience for. The beds are seriously comfortable too, which matters more than you’d think after a long day on Happo-one or Goryu.
What really sets this place apart though is how it sits in relation to everything else. You’re close enough to the main Hakuba action that you can easily hit any of the ski areas – Happo’s maybe ten minutes away, and you can literally see the gondola from some of the rooms. But you’re just far enough from the main drag that you don’t get the constant rumble of shuttle buses and the inevitable après-ski noise that drifts from places like The Pub or Sobadokoro. The staff actually knows the area well too, which sounds basic but you’d be surprised how many hotel employees in resort towns are just seasonal workers who can barely point you toward the nearest convenience store. These guys can tell you which lifts open first, where to find the best udon when you’re freezing and hungry, even which onsen are worth the drive. Check-in was smooth – they had my JR Pass delivery waiting, parking was straightforward, and they didn’t try to upsell me on anything weird. The whole experience just felt… thoughtful, I guess? Like someone had actually stayed in hotels themselves and paid attention to what works and what doesn’t. For an 8.6 rating, that attention to detail makes total sense.
HOTEL HIGHLIGHTS
Reviews
Staff: 9.5
Comfort: 8.9
Location: 8.5
Free WiFi: 10
Facilities: 9.0
Cleanliness: 8.7
Value for money: 8.4
Chut from Thailand (26 March 2025)
They offered warm and cozy place to stay during our snowboard trips, What we love are Japanese Style Private Bath and Free Flow Sake and Local Wine. Staff are really nice.
What could be improved: Since they renovated from the old house so you can here the voice from outside but acceptable, not the big deal.
Andrius from Canada (28 February 2025)
Clean, comfortable, quiet, zen, spacious, offered complimentary local delicacies in the evening, wine, sake, tea. Easy access to sauna and hot bath on the premises. Good breakfast, shuttle access to ski areas although we had a car so it was easier to get around without relying on the shuttle. A few decent restaurants in the vicinity, but had to...
James from Hong Kong (6 February 2025)
Basic but immaculate. Free wine! Good breakfast! Lovely Onsen owned by Hotel only 50 meters down the road. Great atmosphere but most importantly brilliant staff. What could be improved: This isn't a criticism of the accomodation or staff but transport links are poor and Ubers almost non-existent. Meeting friends in Happo was difficult and getting...
John from Australia (27 January 2025)
Rooms were spacious, cosy and warm. The place had a nice, friendly vibe to it. Breakfast had a good variety of choices. Close to Iwatake and Tsugaike. What could be improved: The warm breakfast options were a bit cold sometimes, also if you didn't like egg, sausages were the only other warm option. Not as many restaurants and cafes within walking...
Kin from Australia (22 January 2025)
Nice and comfortable, good value for money
What could be improved: Small shower and toilet
Euan from Australia (11 January 2025)
I’ve travelled to a lot of places and this was by far one of the most serene experiences I’ve encountered !
Absolutely majestic ! The staff make you feel right at home with a helping hand at any turn !
The facility itself is an absolute treat for relaxation
What could be improved: Absolutely nothing
Kana from Philippines (3 January 2025)
Very spacious and clean. Staff are all very friendly and helpful. They serve complimentary snacks frequently and free wines and juices are available anytime. Common space is very relaxing and makes you want to mingle with other guests. What could be improved: While there is shower in each rooms, common bath is in another building. You have to walk...
Uira from Brazil (31 December 2024)
The location was good to access two ski resorts.
Ben from Australia (22 December 2024)
Breakfast was excellent and at a good time. A excellent location just downstairs from the rooms
What could be improved: Having more time booked to stay there would be the only thing I would change
Umaporn from Thailand (7 December 2024)
Good location with free parking not far from the hotel.Cozy bed.Free washing machine.Free Wine.Very friendly staffs.There is a hot stone room that is great.The breakfast is great and healthy.
What could be improved: The restroom not seperate the dry and wet zone
SURROUNDINGS
What's nearby:
- Tsugaike Nature Park: 18 km
- Hakuba Goryu Alpine Plants Botanical Garden: 7 km
Restaurants & cafes:
- Restaurant Hakuba Brew Pub: 1.4 km
- Restaurant割烹さわど: 2.3 km
- Cafe/bar Luckey Pete's Cafe and Bar: 2.2 km
Natural beauty:
- Lake Happoike: 12 km
Ski lifts:
- Up Burn: 1.2 km
- Gondola Noah: 1.1 km
- Paradise Slope: 1 km
Public transport:
- Train Hakuba: 2.3 km
- Train Hakubaoike: 4.1 km
- Bus Hakuba Happo Bus Terminal: 3.6 km
Closest airports:
- Matsumoto Airport: 74 km
ROOMS
- Estimated price from: $157. Double Room with 1 double bed for 1 - 1 guests
- Estimated price from: $157. Double or Twin Room with 2 single beds for 1 - 1 guests
- Estimated price from: $236. Suite with 2 single beds and 2 futon beds for 1 - 4 guests
- Estimated price from: $252. Two-Bedroom Suite with 2 × 2 single beds and 1 sofa bed for 1 - 4 guests
FACILITIES
Ski:
- Ski storage
Bedroom:
- Linen
- Wardrobe or closet
- Dressing room
General:
- Non-smoking throughout
- Heating
- Private entrance
- Family rooms
- Non-smoking rooms
- Air conditioning
Kitchen:
- Electric kettle
- Refrigerator
Bathroom:
- Toilet paper
- Towels
- Bidet
- Slippers
- Private bathroom
- Toilet
- Free toiletries
- Hairdryer
- Shower
Services:
- Shared lounge/T V area
- Luggage storage
- Tour desk
- Laundry
- Meeting/banquet facilities
Wellness:
- Spa lounge/relaxation area
- Steam room
- Public Bath
- Spa and wellness centre
Activities:
- Cycling Off-site
- Hiking Additional charge Off-site
- Skiing Off-site
Living Area:
- Seating Area
- Desk
Food & Drink:
- Wine/champagne
- Restaurant
- Tea/Coffee maker
Accessibility:
- Upper floors accessible by stairs only
Room Amenities:
- Socket near the bed
- Clothes rack
Languages spoken:
- English
- Japanese
Safety & security:
- Fire extinguishers
- Smoke alarms
- Security alarm
- Key access
- Safety deposit box
Reception services:
- Invoice provided
Great for your stay:
- Spa and wellness centre
- Restaurant
- Private bathroom
- Parking
- Air conditioning
- Free WiFi
- Free parking
- Family rooms
- Non-smoking rooms
- Tour desk
HOUSE RULES
Pets:
- Pets are not allowed.
Check-in:
- From 15:00 to 19:00
- You'll need to let the property know in advance what time you'll arrive.
Check-out:
- Until 11:00
Cancellation/prepayment:
- Cancellation and prepayment policies vary according to accommodation type. Please check what conditions may apply to each option when making your selection.
HOTEL ADDRESS
399-9301 Nagano, Hakuba, 北城新田 10846, Japan
Send Us a Message
Fill out the form below, and one of our concierge specialists will get back to you promptly.
