Luxury travel adviser and content creator Madeline Lu takes us inside her family trip to Niseko, including her stay at Niseko Kyo and Intuition Niseko.
There’s an art to building a travel itinerary to see both the highlights and the hidden spots. When it comes to planning a trip people actually want to copy, Madeline Lu knows just how to do it. A content creator, luxury travel adviser, and Condé Nast Traveller contributor, she has built a loyal audience through a sharp eye for beautiful places and a strong instinct for what makes a stay worthwhile. Between Instagram and TikTok, her travels reach millions — and for this family escape, Madeline arrived in Hokkaido just in time for Niseko’s best season.
She checked into Intuition Niseko and Niseko Kyo, and she brought her family to ski runs, café stops, and more. Read on for Madeline’s expert tips on where to stay, what to do, and how to make your next Niseko trip seamless.
Spring skiing, anyone? 4 Hokkaido Ski Resorts Open Until May 2026
Why did you choose to travel to Niseko?
For years, everywhere we turned, people told us that the best powder snow in the world is in Niseko, Japan. As a result, skiing in Niseko has been at the top of my family’s bucket list. When we found the perfect accommodation — Intuition Niseko and Niseko Kyo by The Luxe Nomad — our minds were made up. It was time for us to finally visit
What did you love most about your trip with The Luxe Nomad?
Upon check-in, we were incredibly impressed with the quality of our multi-bedroom apartments at Intuition Niseko and Niseko Kyo. The apartments were beautiful, clean, spacious, comfortable, and exceptionally well-equipped. This included everything from the bathroom amenities to all the homeware and kitchenware, as well as the convenience of an in-unit washer and dryer.
Staying in these luxury apartments for an extended period was both comfortable and convenient. As a family of four, we each had our own bedroom with an ensuite bathroom, meaning no one had to set a timer in the morning or evening for bathroom access.
Alpine living, redefined: Meet Vincent McIlduff, The Designer Shaping Dream Homes in Japan
What was the most impressive part of your stay?
The staff. At both properties, they were very friendly, responsive, and helpful. They always assisted us with big smiles on their faces and made extra efforts to ensure our ski trip was as easy and enjoyable as possible.
How a CEO does Niseko: The Luxe Nomad Founder Stephanie Chai’s Personal Guide
Can you share a few personal tips for those who are planning a trip to Niseko?
Stay: Intuition Niseko and Niseko Kyo. Luxury multi-bedroom apartments booked through The Luxe Nomad, ideal for families and friends.
Rentals: Village Sports Japan: premier gear, competitive rates, and friendly staff.
Eats
- The best shabu shabu is at Shabushabu Mori Niseko. The “A5 Black Wagyu Matsusaka Beef” is incredibly delicious.
- I really enjoyed GOGYO Ramen Dining Powered by IPPUDO at Niseko-Yo
- The best cafes in Niseko are % ARABICA Niseko in hirafu188, Green Farm Deli Cafe, and Hana1
In case you didn’t know, early bird access for Winter 2026/27 is now open with exclusive rates for peak dates.
While waiting for next winter season, explore Hokkaido in Spring:
Spring is the Season Niseko Regulars Keep to Themselves — Here’s Why
Sakura Spotting In Hokkaido: The Best Cherry Blossom Spots To Know
A Photographer’s Guide to Capturing Niseko’s Best Photo Spots