Hotele Hot Springs w: Hokkaido, Japan

I'd call this unbeatable. First off, the front desk service was truly above and beyond my expectations. It was snowing heavily, and the bellhop was still waiting outside for guests to arrive, helping with luggage. The outdoor private onsen in the room was also exceptional; the view and atmosphere were incredible. The breakfast, with its unbeatable ocean view, topped it all off. I had a wonderful day in Hakodate!

房間超大，有室內浸浴，景觀一流，設施齊備，若住Executive Suit,可以免費享用lounge 內小食和飲品，酒也是無限飲用。自助餐食物美味，款式多。娛樂設施有驚喜，有乒乓球打，有夾公仔機，可以打機，是迷利版的Gigo。商店購物種類多，有好小朋友玩具賣。露天風呂看到雪山景，體驗到一邊浸温泉，一邊大風雪吹在面上。就算不是露天，室內的風呂也有好美的雪山景觀看。有穿梭巴士送到札幌，非常好。雖然房價不便宜，但物有所值。

Extremely satisfied, a fantastic hotel! The food, hot springs ♨️, and massages were all excellent. The service was also very attentive. For example, they made sure my child had slippers and hot spring attire daily. They even noticed that my child's supply was running low after a few days and preemptively offered an extra set – something not many places would do. The only thing to watch out for is the entrance, entrance, entrance!!! It's incredibly inconspicuous, blending in too perfectly with the airport ✈️ environment. We missed it several times on our first visit. P.S.: My wife absolutely loved the shampoo and shower gel set provided, so much so that we ended up buying a set to take home.

Exceptional Private Onsen & Hokkaido Flavors. Overall Impression: A perfect blend of convenience and cozy. Despite the bustling atmosphere and classic, dark decor, the private onsen and dining experience make this a standout choice in the area. Hightlights: The room: Spacious with beautiful wooden floors and a private outdoor onsen. Soaking in the heat while snow falls is pure magic. Features like the ”His&Her” sinks and an in-room massage chair make our stay more comfortable. All complimentary in the room adds a thoughful touch. Dining: The buffet offers and impressive variety of local dishes alongside beautifully plated mains. Even when busy, the staff sustematically managed the seating, ensuring we enjoyed the stunning winter views comfortably. The Hokkaido cheese pizza and dessert are absolute must-tries. Location and Service: Perfectly situated in the heart of the sightseeing district, with famous sweet shop right nearby. The complimentary valet parking and polight, perfessional staff made our stay seamless. Observations: Atmosphere: The common areas can feel a bit crowded due to its popularity. Design: The room interiors are a bit outdated and lean toward very dark tones, and notably, Netflix is not available on the in-room TV. Note: Windows are fixed; ventilation is managed via the onsen balcony door. Verdict: Highly recommended for foodies and onsen lovers who want to be the center of the action.

Staff: very welcoming and friendly. Location: very close to the JR station & there is a big AEON supermarket nearby. Facilities: there’s free shuttle to visit the city attractions and there are also some free activities (e.g. night music performance, national park visit tour, free morning market tour) and the common area and public spa are spacious and luxe as well.

I absolutely love Hanabishi Hotel — I had the best 2-night stay here. The hotel is quiet with no large tour groups, and I really enjoyed the traditional feel and relaxing vibes. I tried all of their room types, and my favorite is the futon room with a private onsen. The futon is very comfortable, and the room itself is incredibly spacious. The staff are friendly and helpful, even assisting me with arranging taxi service. The location is convenient, only about a 10-minute drive from Hakodate Airport. I also loved both the breakfast buffet and the dinner set — they truly pampered me like I was the queen of the world. The public onsen is beautiful and huge. I will forever choose to stay here whenever I’m in the area.

The hotel is certainly up to the standard and conveniently located right by the cruise tour for whale watching. Price I paid is on par with the service received. Nothing to critique about the buffet and they are cooked to order. What I really like the most is their lounge with many drinks and snacks options available and I am quite surprised in a good way about that. Only thing I would suggest is, for those who want more privacy in the bath, book yourself a room with private onsen as the open air public bath is rather small and can be filled up very quickly. Having an onsen in the room can resolve this issue completely. The seafood don in the breakfast is very good and nothing to complaint. I would certainly come back next time in the winter.

This was the best hotel of our trip. From check-in to check-out, we felt the warmth and saw the smiles of the staff throughout. The included dinner was delicious and exquisite. The set breakfast was also pretty good. The hotel offers a variety of entertainment activities and facilities, so you won't get bored at all, and the environment is beautiful. The only downside is that the soundproofing isn't great; you can hear doors opening and closing from upstairs and next door.

Tabino Hotel Ishikari (旅之酒店石狩) is a relatively new hotel that opened in late 2025, and it quickly became one of my favorite stops during my Hokkaido trip. Located in Ishikari City, it’s about a 15–20 minute drive from central Sapporo areas like Hokkaido University or Odori Park, making it a smart choice for those who want easy access to the city without staying right in the busy downtown. One of the first things that struck me was the massive parking lot—it’s a spacious, flat, free parking area with plenty of spots, even for larger vehicles (though larger ones might need prior arrangement). No stress about circling for a space or paying extra fees, which is a huge plus for self-drive travelers in Hokkaido. The room felt pleasantly spacious compared to many budget or business hotels in Japan. I could fully open my suitcase, unpack comfortably, and still have plenty of room to move around. All rooms come equipped with handy in-room amenities like a washing machine, microwave, and fridge, which are great for longer stays or if you want to heat up snacks. The surroundings are remarkably quiet and peaceful, giving that relaxing escape-from-the-city vibe, especially at night. Yet, convenience is never compromised—there’s a 24-hour convenience store (like a 7-Eleven) just a 1-minute walk away, perfect for grabbing late-night snacks, drinks, breakfast items, or anything you need without driving. It’s such a thoughtful location balance. One of the biggest highlights is the on-site hot spring facility. The large public bath uses an artificial onsen inspired by Noboribetsu’s Shirakaba-no-Yu (white birch hot spring), with milky, smooth water that’s incredibly soothing after a day of driving or sightseeing. There’s also a sauna, making it easy to unwind and recharge right at the hotel—no need to hunt for external onsens. Cleanliness is top-notch throughout the property. Everything from the lobby and corridors to the rooms and bath areas felt spotless and well-maintained, with fresh linens and no lingering odors. It’s clear the staff takes pride in keeping the place immaculate. Overall, Tabino Hotel Ishikari offers excellent value: comfortable, feature-packed rooms, unbeatable parking convenience, that perfect mix of tranquility and nearby 24/7 shopping, plus the bonus of relaxing in the hot springs without leaving the hotel. It’s ideal for self-drive explorers, families, or anyone wanting a peaceful yet practical base near Sapporo. I’d definitely stay here again on future trips!

The traditional tatami room truly impressed us, but the highlight of our stay was the open-air private sulphur onsen in our room. It was incredibly therapeutic, and I absolutely loved the natural sulphur scent that filled the space—it made the experience feel authentic and deeply relaxing. A heartfelt shoutout to the staff for their exceptional hospitality. From the warm welcome upon arrival to assisting with our luggage and thoughtfully preparing our beds, every detail was handled with care. They were genuinely kind and attentive throughout our stay. Although the hotel is quite old, we appreciated it as part of its vintage charm. It feels like a place rich with history and stories, which adds a unique character you don’t often find in modern hotels. The 7-course kaiseki dinner completely blew us away. From the exquisite plating to the impeccable service, every dish reflected the chef’s dedication and craftsmanship. Even breakfast exceeded our expectations. While described as a buffet, the beautifully presented bento-style offerings along with the comforting soup-based dishes were both satisfying and delicious. Yes, the price is on the higher side, but it is absolutely worth every penny we spent.