TOKYO, JR Tower Hotel Nikko Sapporo opened its doors this weekend, bringing the total number of hotels in the Nikko Hotels International chain to 45. Sapporo, the capital city of Hokkaido, situated in the northern part of Japan, ranks as the fifth largest city in the country, with a population of 1.8 million. Sapporo is both a business and tourist destination, and numerous visitors, both domestic and from overseas, come to enjoy the area's rich natural resources.

The hotel is conveniently located in the center of Sapporo, and is connected directly to JR (Japan Railway) Sapporo Station, the main transportation gateway into Hokkaido. It takes only 36 minutes by train from Shin-chitose International Airport to Sapporo Station. The hotel has unique facilities that position it as an urban style resort and it is expected to be Sapporo's top hotel.

Named "Sapporo Sky Resort," the hotel occupies the first floor and floors 22 through 36 of the 568-foot high JR Tower, the tallest landmark building in Hokkaido. The JR tower opened in March this year as a state-of-the-art building complex. The hotel's 350 guest rooms have been designed to emphasize open, airy spaces with wide windows for spectacular views, especially from the guest rooms on the upper floors. The majority of guest rooms are 323-square- foot twin rooms. The guest rooms have been sold out on weekend and holiday nights from the hotel's opening until the end of August, and occupancy rate already exceeds 80 percent.

The hotel's three banquet rooms on the 36th floor also boast breathtaking views. The Sky Banquet Room overlooks Taisetsu Mountain, the Otaru region and Ishikari Bay - a dramatic setting, by day or night. Decor and table settings are arranged to suit the natural ambience, from sun-filled daylight to dazzling night views.

JR Tower Hotel Nikko Sapporo also offers five dining facilities. Additional luxurious hotel amenities include a sky resort spa, "Pulau Bulan," and a hot spring on the 22nd floor, with natural hot spring water flowing from an underground source. The spa's facilities include an "aqua zone" jet bath, sauna and other state of the art services; a "relaxation zone" where guests can enjoy the lounge and cafe; and a "beauty zone," called "Platinum," with facial, body and hair treatments targeted especially for women, managed by Shiseido Beauty Company Co., Ltd.

Nikko Hotels International is an international luxury hotel group operated by JAL Hotels Company, Ltd., a subsidiary of Japan Airlines, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. In addition to Nikko Hotels International, JAL Hotels also operates Hotel JAL City, a chain of 10 mid-priced hotels for business travelers in Japan, as well as independent hotel properties. JAL Hotels Company, Ltd has 55 hotels worldwide, in Europe, Americas and throughout Japan and the Asia/Pacific region. The company plans to open the 70-room Hotel Nikko Kurashiki on July 1, 2003. Through a unique global alliance with the Le Meridien hotel brand formed in 2000, Nikko Hotels' guests now have access to Le Meridien hotels worldwide, thus extending Nikko Hotels' marketing network to more than 180 hotels in over 60 countries and territories. The Nikko Hotels International partnership with Le Meridien covers all Le Meridien properties worldwide.

Source: Nikko Hotels International

Zara Mirza
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