Capella Hotels and Resorts to manage New Resort and Residences in Hokkaido

Annupuri-Niseko Mountain in Niseko, Japan, is renowned among skiers for offering some of the world’s very finest powder (a fine, dry powder snow that blows across from Siberia) and the new Capella Hotels and Resorts Brand, led by legendary hotelier Horst Schulze, has quickly earned a reputation for its commitment to personalized luxury.

The two, Annupuri Land L.P. and Capella Hotels and Resorts have confirmed they are to develop the Capella Niseko, a luxury resort and residences set on 32 acres adjacent to Annupuri-Niseko Mountain in Niseko, Japan and scheduled to open in 2010.

Famed architect Tadao Ando will design Capella Niseko, which is located in Hokkaido, the northernmost of Japan’s four main Islands. Hokkaido welcomes direct international flights to Sapporo’s new Chitose Airport.

Tadao Ando, born in 1941 in Osaka, Japan, has become one of the world’s most respected architects. His work has been honored with nearly every major architecture award in the world including the Alvar Aalto Medal (Finland), Gold Medal of Architecture - Académie d’Architecture, Chevalier de l”Ordre National de la Legion d’Honneur (France), the Praemium Imperiale (Japan); and the Pritzker Architecture Prize, Gold Medal of the American Institute of Architects (USA) and Gold Medal of Union Internationale des Architectes. Despite never having received formal training in the field, Ando’s work has influenced a generation of architects, and has emphasized a creative use of natural light and forms that follow the natural contour of the landscape.

Horst Schulze, CEO of West Paces Hotel Group, which launched the Capella Hotels and Resorts brand, said, “We’re honored to have been selected by Annupuri Land to bring the vision of an intimate and exclusive resort and residences to life in such an extraordinary setting. We’re equally honored,” Schulze continued, “to work with an architect of Tadao Ando’s stature. We know that Capella Niseko will perfectly embody the Capella philosophy - in which the guest determines the experience at all times. Here, guests may choose an atmosphere of serenity and renewal at one moment – or opt for the excitement of world-class outdoor recreation the next.”

Set on 32 wooded acres including a stream, hot springs, and sweeping views of the valley below, Capella Niseko will feature an intimate 80-room resort. Each room will feature a private onsen (natural hot spring bath) and will be complemented by the finest luxury amenities. Beautiful outdoor spaces will be created, providing a myriad of vantage points from which to enjoy the landscape. The resort will surround a “village center” with facilities including an ice skating rink, Auriga spa, wellness center, pools, tennis courts, fine dining restaurant, an “après ski,” lounge, and retail venues. 

Capella Niseko will also feature approximately 150 residences, including villas, townhouses and condominiums. Each villa and townhouse will have fireplaces, decks, outdoor spaces, and indoor/outdoor onsen. The residences will be provided with the impeccable services of Capella Hotels and Resorts, including access to all resort amenities, as well as special arrangements from a personal chef available to serve in- home to a ski valet and recreation concierge. The resort and residences are just 2 minutes from the ski mountain, with personalized luxury transport provided to guests and residents.

Though skiing has brought international acclaim to Niseko, the resort and residential property is expected to have year-round appeal – as the region is renowned for its natural beauty and recreational opportunities, including golf, horseback riding, rafting, hiking, and more. The serene setting also provides the ideal ingredients for Capella Niseko’s wellness center and Auriga Spa, which will welcome residents and visitors throughout the year.

BenWood Studio Shanghai is serving as the project’s master planner, while the interior design for Capella Niseko will be provided by Peter Silling, Hotel Interior Design (HID).

The announcement of plans for Capella Niseko comes during a series of international openings and announcements for the Capella Hotels and Resorts brand. A total of nine Capella hotels worldwide have been announced, including the Capella Singapore, set to open on Sentosa Island in the first quarter of 2009. Schloss Velden, a Capella Hotel, in Austria, and Capella Castlemartyr, located in Cork, Ireland became the first Capella Hotel and Resorts properties to open when they launched in 2007 and both hotels have already earned superb reviews. Breidenbacher Hof, a Capella Hotel in Düsseldorf Germany, is scheduled to open on May 19th, 2008, and additional Capella Hotels and Resorts have been announced for Ireland, Mexico and the United States.

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