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Accor’s luxury brand, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, has appointed Hong Kong–listed Steve Leung Design Group (SLD) as the main interior designer for Fairmont Niseko, a forthcoming 165-key luxury alpine resort in Hokkaido, Japan.
Fairmont Niseko, Opening in 2028
Slated to open in early 2028, the project represents Fairmont’s continuing footprint in Japan and marks SLD’s inaugural major hospitality commission in the country.
The property is situated across nine acres of forest framed between Mount Annupuri and Mount Yotei, affording panoramic, unobstructed vistas of Hokkaido’s signature peak.
Artist’s impression of the living room in a 2-bedroom hotel room in the upcoming Fairmont Niseko.
Interior Architecture by Steve Leung
Steve Leung’s design firm will oversee the full interior architecture and guest journey - encompassing arrival galleries, public lounges, guest rooms, signature dining venues, destination wellness spas, and traditional indoor and outdoor mineral onsen baths.
The design narrative is rooted in Hokkaido’s distinct geology, ancient woodlands, and dramatic seasonal shifts. Rather than adopting a generic chalet aesthetic, Steve Leung Design Group is interpreting the alpine environment through a contemporary lens using warm, textured natural materials, expansive floor-to-ceiling glazing, and understated stone finishes.
Steve Leung, an avid skier
The project carries personal significance for SLD founder Steve Leung, an avid skier with longstanding ties to the area. In 2020, Leung designed his own family retreat, OOAK Niseko, giving him firsthand familiarity with the local microclimate, seasonal rhythms, and regional culture. This deep familiarity guides an approach built around year-round immersion rather than winter-only appeal.
Artist’s impression of the 10th floor swimming pool in the upcoming Fairmont Niseko.
Takes over the New World La Plume Niseko Resort
Fairmont Niseko takes over the site of the former New World La Plume Niseko Resort (under construction, never completed). The latter’s developer filed for bankruptcy in 205, and construction was halted.
Following an acquisition of the distressed development by private equity fund manager J-Will Partners, Fairmont Accor stepped in to rebrand and complete the property.
The property is actively under construction and fit-out, working toward a targeted phased completion ahead of its official debut.
Luxury Resorts in Niseko
Niseko has evolved from a niche powder-ski hub into Asia’s premier luxury alpine enclave, competing directly with Aspen, Courchevel, and St. Moritz. Fairmont Niseko will join an elite tier of full-service luxury resorts that include:
- Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono (Hanazono base)
- Higashiyama Niseko Village, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve (Niseko Village)
- Aman Niseko (Mount Moiwa)
- Boutique retreats such as Zaborin and MUWA Niseko
Prices
In Niseko’s upper-upscale and 5-star bracket, room rates experience dramatic seasonal variations:
- Powder / Ski Season: ¥150,000 - ¥280,000+ (approx. ~$1,300 - $2,450+)
- Green Season (Spring, Summer, Autumn): ¥35,000 - ¥70,000 (approx. ~$305 - $610)
During peak ski months (December through February), full-service international luxury brands in Niseko routinely command premium pricing, with standard rooms commanding over ¥150,000 per night and multi-bedroom suites reaching significantly higher.
In the quieter green season, rates taper considerably as the region shifts its focus toward golf, hiking, and culinary wellness.
Best For Quiet Luxury Travellers
With a 165-key scale and multi-bedroom configurations, the resort caters to families travelling together, requiring spacious luxury beyond cramped ski lodges.
If you enjoy wellness (like thermal hot springs, holistic spas, and quiet contemplation) over loud, slope-side apres-ski party scenes, then this hotel might suit you, too.