To the delight of discerning powder hounds across the globe, YTL Hotels has officially launched the luxury Kasara Niseko Village Townhouse and a fresh dining and retail concept in the award-winning Niseko Village. The group's highly anticipated new developments in the mountain resort were unveiled last week before an international collection of members of the media, local officials and distinguished guests.

Guests at the launch weekend were serenaded by the Freddy Cole Quartet, specially flown in from the US for the celebration. Dato' Mark Yeoh, Executive Director of YTL Hotels said, “The new developments at Niseko Village truly redefine the luxury Asian alpine experience. The authentic, timeless elegance of our Kasara Niseko Village Townhouse coupled with exciting shopping and dining experiences will enhance Niseko Village's image and further appeal to skiers and tastemakers from across the region, if not the world. These are just the first steps of our long term plan which will develop our already award-winning Niseko Village into the most sought-after mountain resort in Asia – offering not just great summer and winter activities and unique accommodation choices, but also shopping, entertainment and dining experiences.”

The first phase of Kasara Niseko Village Townhouse consists of eight exclusive double storey ski-in, ski-out townhouses just a heartbeat away from ski runs and lifts. The architectural style is an ode to the heritage townhouses of late Edo period in Japan while skillfully maintaining the precarious balance between traditional form and contemporary function. Comfortably accommodating up to six adults, each townhouse features three luxurious bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, a fully equipped designer kitchen and a tatami-floored dining area that can be converted, Japanese-style, to accommodate two futons for children if required. Skiers and snowboarders will find plenty of space to stow away equipment within the heated storage room. Self-driving visitors can park their vehicles in the privacy of their own garages.

Beyond booking the townhouses for short term stays, guests may also opt to purchase these freehold residences for private ownership or long term investments. YTL Hotels, with their acclaimed hospitality and international networks will support homeowners in managing and leasing the townhouses for year round investment returns. With more residences planned in the future, it will be a rare privilege to be amongst the first to own a piece of Niseko Village. There are also no restrictions on foreign ownership of these resort homes.

Residents of Kasara Niseko Village Townhouse can also take advantage of the priority privileges offered including the personal residence concierge on-hand to assist with winter activities and restaurant reservations; complimentary driver-on-call service within Niseko Village; in-residence ski and snowboard fittings, a complimentary exclusive morning mountain induction with an experienced instructor and complimentary onsen use and cross-signing facilities at the neighbouring Hilton Niseko Village and The Green Leaf Niseko Village.

Additional chargeable services include a stocked kitchen upon arrival and during stay, in-residence child minding services, overnight ski and snowboard waxing services, and in-residence sports massages.

Niseko Village's main pulse, the village is where traditional and contemporary concepts converge to offer world-class restaurants and bars, designer boutiques, artworks and cultural events. The new dining experiences offered here are pleasant respites from mountainous adventures. Reminiscent of a springtime garden within a winter wonderland, the Village Patisserie serves an array of pastries, chocolates and delicate Japanese cakes alongside gourmet beverages. Those who prefer stiffer drinks and nightly live entertainment will enjoy Two Sticks, the Asian tapas bar with a rustic twist to the cuisine or indulge in Hokkaido-style, seafood market-inspired fare at The Crab Shack. Finally, casual Japanese classics such as sushi, tempura and teppanyaki are represented with Hokkaido's freshest ocean produce at Yang Shu Ten.  

The village is also set to become a year-round shoppers' paradise. Catering to the needs of skiers and snowboarders who frequent the area, i Gate Ikeuchi stocks gear and apparel for outdoor activities and eco sports, while Made-In-Japan beauty and fashion products at i Zone Ikeuchi represent the finest in locally made items. For Hokkaido-sourced souvenirs, the Otaru Taisho Glass Palace offers a range of glassware created by eight renowned glass artists from the nearby town of Otaru.

Winner of the 'Best Ski Resort in Japan' for the second consecutive year as voted by international experts at the World Ski Awards in Austria in  November 2014, Niseko United is set to attract even more guests as YTL Hotels further enhances its offerings at Niseko Village. Additionally, the ski resort is set to welcome Epic Season Pass holders for the first time this 2014/2015 white season. The first of its kind in Asia, this partnership with Vail Resorts will enable Epic Season Pass holders to experience a complimentary five consecutive day lift pass to a combined area of 2,191 acres of skiable terrain in Niseko United; Niseko United All Mountain Season Pass holders will be entitled to a five consecutive day lift pass at any of the Vail Resorts, a great way for beginners and expert powder-hounds to take advantage of White Season.

To plan your winter sojourn at Kasara Niseko Village Townhouse, peruse rates and deals on our website or contact our YTL Concierge at ytl.concierge@ytlhotels.com.my. Find out more about Niseko Village at www.niseko-village.com.

About Niseko Village

Nestled at the south base of the 1308m Mount Niseko Annupuri, Niseko Village is Japan's premier year-round integrated mountain resort. Often compared to other world-class ski resorts like Aspen in Colorado and Niseko's sister city, St. Moritz in Switzerland, Niseko Village comprises of the Hilton Niseko Village – voted 'Best Ski Resort Hotel in Japan' by World Ski Awards 2013 and 2014, The Green Leaf Niseko Village, two resort golf courses including one designed by Arnold Palmer, and the Niseko Village skifield - known the world over for its fluffy, dry powder snow at low-altitude, variety of ski terrains, the world-class Niseko Village Snow School and the acclaimed Niseko Kids™ programmes.

About Kasara

Kasara promises an experience of luxury, authenticity and timelessness. With each destination ation ns, the world-class Niseko Village Snow School and tol and tool and t and taltitude, variety of sdiscerning travellers will enjoy an exclusive encounter where intuitive standards of service meet the modern perceptions of luxury. At Kasara, local influences, culture and traditions are interwoven with these luxuries to create compelling, standout experiences that resonate with the destination, embodying the balance of style and substance which affluent travellers are increasingly searching for.

About YTL Hotels

YTL Hotels owns and manages a prestigious collection of award-winning resorts, hotels, boutique experiences and Spa Villages in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, China, Japan, France and the UK, including Pangkor Laut Resort, voted the world's best resort in 2003 by Condé Nast Traveller UK. The group also co-owns the Eastern & Oriental Express luxury train.

In 2012, the company added Gaya Island Resort - a luxury resort on the exotic tropical island of Borneo, and The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur - the second heritage jewel in the group's Classic Hotels collection to the fold. In February 2014, the group revealed its fully refreshed Vistana Hotels.

In July 2014, the group announced KASARA, its new brand of luxury accommodations offering bespoke, one-of-a-kind experiences in exotic locations. With each new experience that it presents, the company strives to embrace and highlight the natural essence of culture, character and tradition of its surroundings. YTL Hotels is the hospitality arm of YTL Corporation Berhad. Visit www.ytlhotels.com for more information.

Images:

For high-resolution images of YTL Hotels, please visit www.ytlhotels.com/mediagallery/ and for images of Kasara Niseko Village, please visit www.kasara.com/nisekovillage/gallery.html. For reservations and enquiries, please contact the YTL Travel Centre directly in Malaysia, call +60 3 2783 1000 or email travelcentre@ytlhotels.com.my.

FOR MEDIA ENQUIRIES PLEASE CONTACT:

Ms Aja Ng
Director of Public Relations
Email: aja@ytlhotels.com.my
Tel: +6018 799 9007

Ms Felicia Lee
Assistant Public Relations Manager
Email: felicia_lee@ytlhotels.com.my
Tel: +6018 799 9007