Sapporo's Hidden Gem: Hotel Abest Sapporo - Unbelievable Luxury Awaits!
Hotel Abest Sapporo: My Sapporo Stay Wasn't Just Good, It Was… Well, Let's Talk About It. (A Messy, Honest Review)
Okay, so picture this: you land in Sapporo, the snow is glistening (or raging, depending on the time of year), and you're dreaming of a cozy haven. Turns out, Hotel Abest Sapporo – "Unbelievable Luxury Awaits!" – well, it kinda lives up to the hype. But, as with any travel experience, it's… complicated. Let's dive in, shall we? Buckle up, because this review is gonna be a bumpy ride.
First Impressions: The Good, the "Huh," and the "Oh Crap, Did I Pack Enough Socks?"
Right, so getting there. Accessibility? They say they're good, right? Facilities for disabled guests, elevator… But you know how it goes. Sometimes "accessible" translates to "We tried!" I didn't personally use any of these, but looked like it should be decent. (I honestly didn't even think to ask if they had automatic doors. I'm sure they did, but those little things always slip my mind until after I've struggled through a door.)
Check-in/out [private] and Contactless check-in/out are a bless. No more awkward small talk after a long flight! Front desk [24-hour] – always a win. The lobby? Clean. Efficient. Standard hotel lobby stuff. (I should mention I arrived completely exhausted. Jet lag is a beast.)
Cleanliness and Safety: Anxiety Soothed (Mostly)
Okay, pandemic times. Let's be real, it's a thing. Hotel Abest seemed to be taking it seriously. Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Staff trained in safety protocol – check, check, and check. They even had hand sanitizer everywhere. Felt safe enough, which, I’ll admit, was a HUGE relief. Rooms sanitized between stays, Room sanitization opt-out available (nice!). Hygiene certification? Yep, apparently. Seemed legitimate. The hot water linen and laundry washing thing… yeah, that’s a given, right? They better be doing that! Individually-wrapped food options? They had them.
The Room: My Sanctuary (and Temporary Storage Unit)
Alright, the room. Non-smoking rooms? (Thank God. I’m a smoker, so it wasn’t a problem but really, it’s 2024) Air conditioning – essential! Blackout curtains – life-saving! Especially after you’ve been staring at a screen for 12 hours on a flight. The Extra long bed was a gift. More like a king-sized bed. Heaven, truly heaven. Big enough. Enough room to just… sprawl.
Now, the detail! Bathrobes, slippers, complimentary tea and coffee (crucial in a cold climate), hair dryer that actually worked (a rarity!), a refrigerator (always useful for stashing travel snacks). A laptop workspace (I didn't use it. Don't judge me). Free Wi-Fi, of course. And it was good Wi-Fi.
Here's a confession, however: I had to move the desk to have a better view. You are in Japan, use the window.
The little things, man, the little things! Additional toilet. Mirror. Safety/security feature. Socket near the bed. Reading light. Scale. Umbrella – essential in Sapporo! It’s all there. They thought of everything. I was actually a touch overwhelmed at first. Like, "Wow, they really want me to be comfortable."
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Carb-Loading Paradise (and a Few Glitches)
Breakfast [buffet]? Yes. Asian breakfast, Western breakfast – the works. The usual suspects. I am a sucker for a coffee/tea in restaurant. Breakfast takeaway service was available, which was great when I was ready to just go explore (and hide from other people) I've grown a bit jaded on hotel breakfast. All the eggs look the same. However, you can request alternative meal arrangement.
There's a coffee shop, a bar, a snack bar. I dipped into the bar one evening and it was… fine. Nothing to write home about, but good enough after spending an entire day in the snow. Good ambiance though. Restaurants, plural. (Didn’t try them all but the one I did was pretty good)
And the real highlight? They had a room service [24-hour] menu. Because, let’s be real, sometimes you just want to eat potato chips in bed at 3 AM. (I may or may not have succumbed to this temptation.)
Things to Do and Ways to Relax: Spa Dreams and Gym Nightmares
Okay. This is where it got interesting. Fitness center. They had a fitness center. I tried to use it. (Emphasis on "tried." The gym was tiny, and the equipment felt… tired. No motivation to do anything more than walk around. It’s not bad, but not the biggest draw).
But listen, the spa/sauna? That was worth the stay alone. A spa with a pool with view (I’m a sucker for pools with a view.), steamroom, and foot bath. Like, actual, proper relaxation. The massage was phenomenal. I swear, I shed a layer of stress I didn't know I was carrying. You should check it out. They also had a sauna, a steamroom and a pool with a view.
Other "Things and Stuff": The Practical Bits and Bobs
Services and conveniences: I was pleased to see Cash withdrawal, concierge, convenience store, currency exchange, daily housekeeping, doorman, dry cleaning, elevator, iron service, luggage storage, taxi service, valet parking -- all of these things made a big difference in making some of the inconveniences of travel less annoying.
For the Kids: I'm Not a Parent, so I Can't Really Judge (But…)
Babysitting service, Kids meal, Kids facilities… Seemed kid-friendly enough. I saw a few families, and everyone seemed happy, which is always a good sign.
Things I Wish Were Better (and a Few Minor Gripes)
- The gym. Seriously, needs an upgrade.
- The noise. My room (while beautiful) was slightly loud because of it's proximity to the elevator.
- More vegan options: The buffet, while plentiful, wasn't the most vegan-friendly. I could get by, but it would have been nice to have more options.
The Verdict: Would I Go Back?
Honestly? Yes. Hotel Abest Sapporo is a solid choice. It’s not perfect, but it offers a really comfortable, convenient, and genuinely relaxing experience. Is it “unbelievable luxury”? Maybe not unbelievable, but definitely a cut above the average. And the spa? The spa alone makes it worth the price. I'd book it again. It had everything I needed!
Escape to Paradise: Happiness 199 Homestay Awaits in Taitung, Taiwan!
Okay, buckle up buttercup, because this isn't your grandma's itinerary. We're diving headfirst into a Sapporo adventure, Hotel Abest be damned, and it's gonna be… chaotic. Prepare for a rollercoaster of highs, lows, and questionable ramen choices.
Sapporo Scramble: An Existentialist's Guide to Mild Discomfort (and Maybe Some Beer)
Day 1: Arrival and Awkward Introductions
2:00 PM: Okay, so the flight was a nightmare. Screaming babies, a guy who wouldn't stop manspreading, and my own internal monologue reminding me I'd definitely forgotten something important. (Pretty sure it was my sanity but, hey, who needs that on vacation?) Finally landed in New Chitose Airport. The air felt… different. Crisp? Clean? It’s a nice change from the smog in a city.
3:00 PM: The train into Sapporo. My initial reaction to everything was it's…very organized. I'm instantly sizing up everyone around me. This is a very fun experience.
4:00 PM: Hotel Abest. (Shudders). Okay, so the room is… compact. Let's just say I can touch all four walls simultaneously. The vending machine in the hall offers both hot coffee AND cold tea. This is a game-changer. Also, there's an air purifier and a tiny toilet that's probably smarter than I am. First impressions: survival mode activated.
5:00 PM: Stumbled out into the Sapporo sunset (which, let's be honest, is probably beautiful, but I'm too busy staring at the towering convenience stores to notice). Found a ramen place recommended by some random blog. BIG. MISTAKE. The broth tasted like sadness and regret. I ate it all anyway, because… pride? And I was hungry. Felt the need to walk it off.
7:00 PM: Wandered aimlessly. Found a park. Watched some kids playing a game I couldn't understand, but they looked happy. Felt a pang of…something. Longing? Envy? Either way, quickly squashed it with a large beer from a nearby vending machine. Priorities.
9:00 PM: Back at Hotel Abest. Contemplating the meaning of life and the logistics of cramming my suitcase shut tomorrow. The air purifier is humming. I'm already starting to feel… clean. Is this a good thing?
Day 2: The Sapporo Beer Garden and a Spiritual Awakening (Maybe)
9:00 AM: Breakfast at the hotel! Decent, nothing to get excited about. But the plastic fork gives me a great experience.
11:00 AM: Sapporo Beer Garden! (FINALLY!). This is the moment I've been waiting for. I want to take pictures of this place, but I was distracted by how beautiful it looked. They have a HUGE selection of beers. I try one of each. "Cheers" to the beer, the people, and the whole experience.
2:00 PM: More beer. Maybe too much beer. Things are starting to… blur. I might have made a friend. He says his name is Kenji. He speaks very limited English, and I think I speak even less Japanese. We communicate with gestures, laughter, and the universal language of "bottoms up!" The beer is like a warm hug.
4:00 PM: Kenji took me on an "adventure". We somehow ended up in the Sapporo Snow Festival. Not sure how I can possibly feel I need to see the snow. I think I was in a trance. I got lost in the beauty of the snow sculptures, the cold, and my thoughts.
6:00 PM: Food. This time, a much better ramen place, recommended by Kenji. He insisted on ordering for me. The broth was creamy, the noodles perfectly chewy, the pork… oh, the pork. I think I had a religious experience.
8:00 PM: Back at Hotel Abest. Kenji is gone, and I've got about a dozen selfies with a snow statue of something I'm not entirely sure. Feeling the lingering effects of the beer and that ramen. I'm definitely going to need a few more bottles of water.
Day 3: Market Mayhem, Chocolate Dreams, and the Last Dance (Possibly)
9:00 AM: Tsukiji Market. It's nothing like the Tokyo Market but it is really good! The fish is fresh, the people bustling, and the smells are… intense. I had the most AMAZING tuna sashimi. Melt-in-your-mouth good. Seriously, I almost started crying.
11:00 AM: Chocolate Factory. I'm not a huge chocolate person. But the way the chocolate tasted here was… magical. I devoured more than I should have.
1:00 PM: I've got a headache. Maybe it's from the beer, or all the chocolate.
3:00 PM: A little shopping. Found a cute little shop. Now I need to buy a suitcase.
5:00 PM: Okay, this is it. My last night. Feeling a weird mix of sadness and relief. This doesn't feel like a goodbye.
7:00 PM: I think I'm going for ramen again. It's like a ritual. I need a familiar taste before I go.
9:00 PM: Back to Hotel Abest. Packing sucks. Do I want to leave Sapporo? It's hard to say.
10:00 PM: The air purifier is humming. I feel very small.
11:00 PM: I fall asleep.
Notes & Disclaimers:
- This is just a rough outline. Spontaneity is key, and I reserve the right to completely deviate from it at any moment.
- My Japanese is terrible. Expect embarrassing miscommunications and lots of pointing.
- Food recommendations are subject to my wildly inconsistent taste buds.
- Hotel Abest is probably a fine hotel. I'm just being dramatic. Maybe.
- I'm not responsible for any existential crises triggered by Sapporo's beauty.
Wish me luck. I'm going to need it.
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Okay, Spill the Tea: Is Abest Sapporo Actually "Unbelievable Luxury"? (And, Like, What's That Even *Mean*?)
Alright, alright, settle down. "Unbelievable Luxury" is a BIG claim. And honestly? They're not *entirely* wrong. Think plush, yeah, seriously plush carpets. Like, you almost want to roll around in them (I *may* have done a little test-squish). The lobby is all shimmering glass and polished wood. It's… impressive. But luxury? It's Japanese luxury, so it's subtle. Don't expect chandeliers you could swing a cat in. They're more about the details. Think impeccable service. Think super-smooth elevators that practically whisper 'Welcome!'. Yeah, it's luxurious. But prepare yourself: it's not *bling* luxury. It's 'I-can-finally-de-stress-and-not-worry-about-anything' luxury.
The Rooms! Tell Me About The Rooms! Are They REALLY as Awesome as The Photos? (Because, Let's Be Honest, Those Pics Are USUALLY Lies.)
Okay, so photo realism? Mostly. Here's the deal: the photos are expertly lit and strategically angled. My room? Well, it was amazing. I got a corner room – SCORE! The windows! Floor-to-ceiling, basically. Seriously, the view of Sapporo was breath-taking. I spent a solid hour just staring out, even though I was freezing my buns off (more on that later). The bed? Heavenly. Seriously, I think I could have slept for a week straight. BUT... the room wasn't *quite* as HUGE as the pictures implied. And, and, and... a minor (but oh-so-important-to-me) thing: the lighting in the bathroom was... a bit dim. I struggled to apply my eyeliner one morning. First world problems, I know. But still! My eyeliner is important!
The Breakfast Buffet - Is it a Foodie Paradise or Airport Food in Disguise? (Because I NEED good breakfast.)
Okay, breakfast. This is where things get... complicated. Here's the *truth*: the breakfast buffet *was* good. Very good, actually. But it wasn’t perfect, and that’s what makes it relatable, right? There was a *fantastic* selection of Japanese options – grilled fish, miso soup that warmed you from the inside out, rice, pickles… all the good stuff. They also had the usual Western fare – eggs, bacon, pastries (which, I confess, I devoured). The problem? The pastry section was... a bit hit-or-miss. One croissant was flaky, buttery perfection. The next? A bit dry. It was a gamble! And the coffee? It wasn't *bad*, but it also wasn't the life-affirming, rich, dark roast I'd hoped for. I'm picky about my coffee. Maybe I should have asked for a latte. Anyway, my advice? Go for the Japanese stuff. It generally doesn’t disappoint.
Location, Location, Location: Is it Actually Convenient? (Because I Hate Trekking Miles in the Snow.)
Okay, the location? This is a HUGE win for Abest. It's right in the heart of Susukino, which is Sapporo's entertainment district. Think neon lights, ramen shops galore, and, uh, other things. (Look, I explored. Okay?) But it's also super close to the subway. Like, a five-minute walk, tops. And the Sapporo TV Tower and Odori Park are easily walkable. Now, here's a confession: I *did* get lost once. Okay, twice. But that's entirely my fault, because I have zero sense of direction. The hotel's easy to find though. And getting to all the main sights was a breeze, which is a massive plus when you’re battling potential blizzards!
Any Hidden Costs or Annoying Surprises? (Because I Hate Those!)
Okay, let's get real. There's always *something*, right? Honestly, Abest was pretty good at transparency. The mini-bar wasn't obscenely priced, which is a win. The Wi-Fi was free and generally reliable (a rare and beautiful thing). The only *potential* surprise? Some of the room types are probably slightly pricier than advertised. I found some rooms with a better view were charged at a higher price, even though they were the same size. So do your research on booking, and read the fine print, always.
The Service – Amazing or Just Pretending? (Because Rude Hotel Staff is a Dealbreaker.)
The service? Ah, the service. It's… impeccable. Seriously. The staff were uniformly polite, helpful, and genuinely seemed to want to make your stay amazing. (And I mean, *genuinely*). They *all* spoke excellent English. I had a small problem with my room (a tiny, insignificant thing involving the air conditioning – or the lack thereof). They fixed it *immediately*. They even sent up a complimentary fruit platter. That's like, next-level hospitality. It felt like they were genuinely trying to make me happy... and it worked. I felt pampered. I felt... cared for. Yeah, the service is top-notch. Five stars (or however many stars they give out these days).
Okay, Real Talk: What Was the WORST Thing About Your Abest Stay? Don't Hold Back!
Alright, alright. Deep breath. Okay, the worst thing? Two things actually. First, the temperature in my room. It got *cold*. Like, teeth-chattering cold in the middle of the night. And the controls for the heating were baffling. I fiddled with them for ages, and I swear I just made things worse. I ended up wearing my sweater, my hat, *and* my scarf to bed one night. That wasn't ideal. Secondly, and this is a more general thing, the hotel, while beautiful, sometimes felt a *tiny* bit… sterile. It lacked, I don’t know, a bit of… *soul*? A little more character wouldn't have gone amiss. I felt a bit like I was in a very, very luxurious showroom. But those are small complaints, truthfully.
If You Lived There, What Would You Do Differently? (Or, What's the "Pro Tip"?)
*Pro Tip Numero Uno*: Book a room on a higher floor – the views are worth it, trust me. *Pro Tip Numero Dos*: If you're a coffee snob (like myself), bring your own instant coffee. Or, even better, find a good coffeeJet Set Hotels
