Hotel Abest Sapporo

This hotel is a popular choice for its exceptional location directly connected to the Tanukikoji Shopping Arcade, making it a vibrant hub for sightseers and leisure travelers eager to explore the city's dining and shopping scene. Its signature feature, however, is its highly praised breakfast buffet, offering an impressive array of local delicacies, particularly fresh seafood. The hotel is also well-suited for families due to its convenient amenities and proximity to attractions, while business travelers appreciate its central access. Guests consistently highlight the attentive staff and the overall value for money. To enhance your stay, consider taking advantage of the direct airport bus stop right outside the hotel for convenient transportation, and be aware that room cleaning is typically provided every four days, though fresh towels are available daily upon request.

Facilities & Amenities
Guests frequently commend the hotel's convenient Family Mart located directly within the building, providing easy access to snacks and essentials. The lobby offers a self-service selection of amenities, including toiletries and skincare products, allowing guests to choose what they need. Many appreciate the welcome drink service available in the lobby during specific hours, offering a pleasant start or end to the day. For convenience, microwaves and vending machines are available on each floor, along with ice machines. While the hotel does not feature a large public bath, it provides essential facilities. Some guests noted that the Wi-Fi connection could be inconsistent, and while coin laundry facilities are available, some experienced issues with their functionality, such as mold or poor drying performance. The presence of multiple efficient elevators is also a plus.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Feedback on room cleanliness and comfort is somewhat mixed. Most guests found their rooms to be adequately clean and comfortable, with comfortable beds ensuring a restful sleep. However, some reviews mentioned issues such as dust, hair, or debris found in various areas, including under beds or on surfaces, suggesting inconsistent cleaning. The bathrooms are frequently described as old, small, and outdated, with common complaints about poor ventilation, mold, slow drainage, and small toilet seats. In-room amenities typically include slippers, sleepwear, towels, soaps, a hot water kettle, and a mini-fridge. Some guests reported thin walls, leading to occasional noise from neighboring rooms. The central climate control system is often noted as being difficult to adjust, sometimes resulting in rooms feeling too warm.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel's breakfast buffet is a significant highlight for many guests, often cited as a primary reason for choosing to stay. It features an impressive variety of both Japanese and Western options, with a particular emphasis on local Hokkaido specialties. Guests rave about the fresh seafood, including all-you-can-eat ikura (salmon roe), sashimi such as tuna, salmon, and shrimp, allowing for custom-made seafood bowls. Other popular items include Jingisukan (lamb BBQ), soup curry, and fried chicken. While the overall food quality is highly praised, some guests found the seafood to be average compared to other regions, and a few noted the menu could be repetitive over multi-day stays. The breakfast area also provides children's chairs and suitable buffet heights, making it family-friendly.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel boasts an excellent central location, making it incredibly convenient for exploring the city. It is situated directly adjacent to the Tanukikoji Shopping Arcade, providing immediate access to a vast array of shops, restaurants, and entertainment options, even in inclement weather. The vibrant Susukino entertainment district is also within easy walking distance. For travelers, a major advantage is the airport bus stop located directly across from the hotel, offering seamless transportation to and from the New Chitose Airport. While the subway stations (Odori and Susukino) require a short walk, they remain easily accessible. The hotel also offers parking options, though guests should be aware that costs can be a factor. Its proximity to Odori Park makes it an ideal base for events like the Snow Festival.

Staff & Service
The hotel staff consistently receives high praise for their exceptional helpfulness and attentive service. Guests frequently commend their politeness, professionalism, and willingness to assist with various requests, from providing umbrellas during rain to helping with luggage. The check-in and check-out processes are generally described as quick and smooth, with staff often going the extra mile, such as seeing guests off at the exit. While most interactions are positive, a few isolated instances of less enthusiastic service or communication challenges were noted, particularly with some staff members who may not be fluent in English, though they often utilize translation tools to bridge the gap. Overall, the staff's dedication to guest satisfaction significantly contributes to a positive stay experience.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware of the hotel's room cleaning policy, where full cleaning is typically provided every four days for longer stays. For shorter durations, fresh towels can be requested daily by leaving used ones outside the room, and trash can be collected similarly. A thoughtful touch appreciated by many is the Royce chocolate provided upon check-out. The hotel's central air conditioning system is a recurring point of discussion, as it offers limited temperature adjustment and can make rooms feel too warm, especially in winter; however, windows can often be opened for ventilation. While the building's age is noticeable in some areas, the hotel strives to maintain its facilities. The presence of a dedicated kids' space in the lobby is a welcome amenity for families, though some specific "welcome baby" room features received mixed reviews regarding their practicality due to older facilities.