Hoshino Resorts KAI Poroto

We were truly impressed from the moment we arrived. We actually walked from the train station to the hotel — about 13–15 minutes with our 23 kg suitcases after some serious shopping in Otaru and Sapporo! When we reached the entrance through the car park, the long corridor with a serene Japanese garden on the right immediately set a calm, Zen atmosphere. Check-in was smooth, and the front desk staff were exceptionally polite, as expected for this level of resort. Another staff member kindly guided us to our room and explained everything in detail with such grace. The indoor onsen was amazing — the water has a unique reddish tone, and although I’m not sure of the mineral composition, it felt wonderful for the skin. Our room’s indoor balcony featured a long sofa and a huge window with a breathtaking view of the lake and surrounding trees — just like a living wallpaper. It would be even more perfect if natural sound elements from outside could somehow be integrated into the room experience. Dinner and breakfast were both of exceptionally high standard. My wife doesn’t eat beef, and after we mentioned this to the concierge on the first day, the staff remembered it and kindly adjusted her meal for the following day without us having to remind them again — an excellent touch of hospitality. The only minor drawback was that the room felt slightly dated. The ceiling above the indoor onsen had some visible stains, and the large curtains, while beautiful, were manually operated rather than automatic — perhaps a small renovation could bring the facilities up to the same excellence as the service and dining. Overall, we had a very positive impression and thoroughly enjoyed our stay. A wonderful blend of comfort, nature, and Japanese hospitality. Highly recommended!

Last night’s stay at Hoshino Resorts KAI Poroto in Hokkaido was absolutely memorable. Stepping inside, I was immediately greeted by the warm glow of a bronze chimney stove—a truly cozy and welcoming sight on a winter's day. While the service and food were exceptional, the highlight was undoubtedly the outdoor onsen. Its design is unique, thoughtfully integrated into the surrounding Ainu "kotan" (village) heritage. Soaking in the hot spring while transitioning from the indoor bath to the open-air pool was an incredible experience. The serene view of the tranquil lake and mountains unfolded before me, immersing me completely in the breathtaking natural scenery. The morning brought another magical moment: enjoying a delicious breakfast while overlooking the beautiful lake, with white cranes gracefully flying right before my eyes. It was a stunning and unforgettable scene, leaving a deep and lasting impression. #HoshinoResorts #KAIporoto #Hokkaido #Onsen #JapanTravel #LakeView

Visited in early Oct 2025. Not much to do in the vicinity nor onsite, but overall a very relaxing environment to kick back. Excellent service throughout, food was good but so so compared to other Hoshino properties. No in room bath was a bummer but the outdoor onsen early evening where you can see the moon rise just beyond the mountains across lake Porto was truly a sight to remember. Quick jog along the trails surrounding the lake in the morning was also nice

Worst Kai experience for me personally. Rooms were smelly and there are many little bugs flying around the buildings. Staffs may need more training when handling check-in / check-out process. Stop chit-chatting behind the front and do not let your guests wait for a long time without any instructions in the lobby. The service I received was far below Kai standard. Location is not very far away from Shiraoi station, but relatively hard to access the hotel without a car, especially when you carry big luggages. It's also not easy to get a taxi near the station, the hotel probably should consider offering a shuttle service as many other Kai properties do.

I recently went through a difficult personal situation, and I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the hotel for fully understanding and accommodating my circumstances. Thanks to the hotel's thoughtful consideration, I was able to get through that challenging time. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the hotel for their outstanding support, and a special thank you to Shoさん for his/her exceptional help. From. Mr. Cha

right on lakeside it even features an infinity onsen pool open air bath on the lake rooms are spacious food menu was thoughtful the only problem no bottled water in room do you have to take from your car if you want rehydration when wake up at night

Wow, this place gets an A across the board! Luxurious new accommodations with a beautiful birch forest theme and all elements of the structures and furnishings designed as a homage to the indigenous Ainu people. Location is right on Lake Shiraoi with the volcanic cone and bucolic forested shores viewable from every room, and boating, paddle boards, and equipment can be rented a few hundred yards up the road. Only a five minute walk to the sprawling Ainu Cultural Center and museum grounds, where numerous exhibits, performances and audience engagement activities of this freshly opened sight made for a full day. ||The most distinguished features of this hotel, making it truly world class, are the onsens and the food. There are two onsen areas, one indoor/outdoor with spectacular architecture, open top and open infinity pool fronting the lake. You can stargaze directly at night (closes at 1 am and only accessible to hotel guests). The other onsen is indoors but also architecturally spectacular. Each has full bath and changing facilities and spa amenities as well as complimentary popsicles, tea, waters, etc. Very meditative and utterly quiet in a bucolic setting. In fact, guests are encouraged to roam the resort in plush Japanese robes provided in each room, so a very relaxed while decorous vibe.||The breakfast and dinners included in the room price were astonishing in quality. Kaiseki style, each meal has over a dozen courses or dishes, artistically prepared with local ingredients. The restaurant is set in a beautiful wooden artisan crafted dining area with wonderful private rooms and top notch service. Deserving of Michelin star!||Staff were uniformly helpful and attentive. There are a number of activities and tours available, so plenty to do even on a rainy day. We look forward to returning to this peaceful top notch destination resort!

We stayed two nights and had a wonderful experience. The staff were professional - polite and attentive, from the moment we arrived till the time we left. We love our room and I believe all rooms have a view of the lake. The room was clean and everything worked well. You can choose to have a private onsen in your room or use the one in the accommodation. A great place to stay while we were at Shiraoi. ||Meals were kaizeki style which we love as we had small portions and able to try many of the local delights. Dinner had several courses of fried, steamed, hotpot etc and it took us one hour to finish our dinner leisurely. That is why the timing (5.30pm or 7.30pm) may appear rather ‘rigid’ to some but this is quite typical of accommodations that serve kaiseki either in your rooms or in the restaurant. We made the timing work for us so it wasn’t a big deal as we have had similar experiences in other accommodations (luxe, ryokan, onsen hotels etc). Dinner served at the restaurant in small partitioned spaces (some with views of the lake) and on the last day, we had breakfast at the counter. Which was fine with us. It wasn’t castrophobic at all. In fact, it gave a little privacy while we ate. I believe they rotate their guests so that you have different experiences. ||It was also great that the menu was different for the days we were there. We have been to accommodations where over two nights, the kaizeki menu was the same. So this was a nice surprise for us. We chose KAI as we wanted to be close to Upopoy which was the main reason for our visit. Though next to each other, it’s a short walk to the entrance of Upopoy. Would recommend this place if you are considering this option.