Asia's leading luxury villa company has grown its Japan portfolio to 21 chalets in Hirafu and Niseko Village since acquiring the business in 2018, and has plans for further growth in 2023.  

Key points:   

• Elite Havens has grown its Japan portfolio since its acquisition in 2018, with further plans for expansion.  
• Despite limited flight availability on the re-opening of Japan to international tourism, pent-up demand and interest from travellers saw a strong 2023 ski season.  
• Niseko Gourmet has exceeded expectations, selling out its services at the start of the season.

April 13, 2023:   

Elite Havens built its reputation as a premier curator of luxury holidays in the exotic tropical beach destinations of Bali, Phuket and Koh Samui. Adding a portfolio of modern, high-end ski chalets in the veritable skiers' paradise of Niseko in 2018 allowed the business to extend its expertise into a new market, catering to holidays of a different kind.  

This move has proven to be a successful addition to the Elite Havens offering, with its chalets in Niseko experiencing one of their strongest seasons since 2018.  

Starting as 17 beautiful properties in the picturesque wonderlands of Hirafu and Niseko Village, Elite Havens has grown that offering to 21 properties, offering a broad range of luxury lodges, traditional ski chalets and chic modern apartments. All come with a renowned concierge service and are perfectly situated to enjoy the enchanting scenery and magnificent views over picturesque Mount Yotei.  

The Elite Havens Experience  

Elite Havens' Elite Concierge service extends to the Japan properties, ensuring guests have access to everything they need for a dream holiday escape, including ski lessons, restaurant bookings, in-villa gourmet dining and transfers from New Chitose Airport, a trip of around 2 hours.  

The Elite Havens offering in Niseko also includes Niseko Gourmet, a food-catering business allowing guests to experience private chefs preparing fabulous meals right inside the chalet, as well as meal delivery options. With tourists returning to these popular ski villages in droves, bookings for Niseko Gourmet quickly sold out at the start of the season, evidence of the quality and convenience of this service.  

Elite Havens' Cluster Manager, Japan and Thailand, Femke Beekers, says the re-opening of Japan to tourism was an unknown, but demand proved stronger than expected. “We've seen the pent-up desire for travel in our other destinations when a country re-opens to tourism, but we didn't know what the demand would be like for Niseko, given flight availability and travel costs at that time. But Japan is following trends seen in Bali and Phuket, with families returning or experiencing Niseko for the first time. It's been very satisfying to see the region bounce back, bringing employment back to the area at the same time.”  

About Niseko 

A firm favourite with the international skiing/snowboarding community, Niseko is renowned for its spectacular scenery, scenic ski runs with guaranteed fresh snow, and après skiing. Known as the powder capital of Japan, winds blowing down from Siberia blend with moisture rising from the Sea of Japan to create a fresh blanket of snow nearly every day of the ski season (December to April). Niseko lures snow riders of all levels, including extreme adventurers lured to exhilarating tree runs and off-trail heli-skiing. Its four interlinking resorts also cater well to international families, with plenty of fun activities for all ages, including ski lessons. 

But, while perfect skiing conditions are the major draw card, visitors can also immerse themselves in traditional Japanese culture with dozens of onsen – volcanic hot water springs found in the region. And for the non-skiers, Niseko's luxury lodgings and stunning mountain scenery can be enjoyed year-round. Blazing autumnal colours create a mesmerising backdrop for hiking and horse riding, while summer adventures include kayaking along the rugged coastline, white water rafting on the scenic Shiribetsu River and canoeing on the vast expanse of Lake Toya. 

Says Elite Havens CEO May Rigg, “Japan was the real test for Elite Havens, taking our experience in the tropics and adapting it to the ski slopes of Niseko, a different style of travel. We are proud of the success we have had over the last few years, and we look forward to extending our footprint in Niseko and beyond. Japan is a key market for Elite Havens.” 

About Elite Havens Luxury Villa Rentals and Management    

Havens aren't places to shelter from the world. They're places to embrace it.    

From beautiful spaces and cultural adventures to exquisite service and fine dining, every carefully considered moment creates the space for guests to reconnect with what's really important; the extraordinary experience of life.     

For more than two decades, Elite Havens has offered discerning travellers a respite from routine life. Today, we embrace close to 300 private luxury villas and chalets across Asia's most awe-inspiring locations.  Feel cocooned in some of the most beautiful places in the world and let us wrap our service around you.       

For all press, media enquiries or a full suite of high-resolution photos, please contact Elite Havens' PR team at pr@elitehavens.com.