The Windsor Hotel Toya in western Hokkaido has a lot of things going for it.

The hot-spring resort is built on a hill with a sweeping view of Lake Toya, is served by a highly trained staff and boasts a three-star Michelin restaurant serving up the finest French cuisine.

And when the sprawling facility was chosen in April to host next year's Group of Eight summit from July 7 to 9, it received its biggest claim to fame yet.