Hotel berhampiran Tofutsu Lake, Abashiri

I booked for 1 night to see the drift ice the next day. Pier is walking distance from hotel. Reception was polite and helpful. There is a convenient store just opposite the hotel.

I just finished two nights at the Hotel Hokkai in Abashiri. The hotel is fairly dated, yet very, very typical of what you find outside Hokkaido's main cities. It is very easy to find, along HWY 39 that runs between Asahikawa and Abashiri. The room size, decor, and tiny unit bath are all typical, something I've seen too many times to count. So, in that sense, I knew what I was getting, and am ok with that. One particular thing bothered me though, and completely changed my view of this hotel. I was running late on Friday night, having driven the 350 km from Sapporo. When I made the reservation I guessed my time of arrival would be at 11 pm. I arrived at 11:55. This is how the conversation went. ”Hotel: X-san. We were wondering what happened to you. We called your house.” ”Me: You called my house? Why?” ”Hotel: Because you were late.” ”Me: What time did you call?” ”Hotel: At 11:15” ”Me: So, you called my house when I was only 15 minutes late?” ”Yes. The last train to Abashiri has already arrived and you weren't here.” ”Me. Why did you think I would take the train?” (NB: I have a Japanese driver's license and drive everywhere. Clearly they think non-Japanese don't drive here.) ”Hotel: didn't answer my question...” ”Me: You shouldn't call my house late at night because I'm running late.” ”Hotel: No one answered at your house.” ”Me: That's because most people are asleep then. It's 11 pm!” After that, he handed me my key and I went up to my room, not happy. Honestly, I lost all respect for the hotel at that point. I've been to 80+ countries and thousands of hotels and never has one called my house when I was late, let alone 15 minutes late. As a result, I won't be staying at this hotel again. I'd rather sleep in my car.

I had a very good experience while staying here. The hotel employees are accommodating, friendly, and efficient. I was in a room that faced the water and the view was beautiful. The size of the room was generous with a good use of space. I especially liked the table and built in seating area. The breakfast buffet had many options. The Onsen was nice, seemingly clean. I recommend renting a bicycle and checking out the area.

本州から宿泊に来た私達４人と現地に住む家族が食事だけ一緒にできないか、さらには日帰り入浴も追加できないか、とリクエストしたところ、繁忙期にもかかわらず(当日は満室でした)待たされることなく親切にスムーズに追加もプラン変更も対応してもらえて助かりました。 北方の古代文化をテーマとしたオリジナリティ溢れる調度は荷物を運んでもらいながらゆったり説明を受け、ただ泊まるだけではない楽しみがありました。エゾリスに会える場所では３匹をガラス越しでも間近に見られました。 フリードリンクコーナーのメロンジュースとハスカップジュースがとても美味しかったです。室内には珍しくガラスポットに入った飲用水が冷蔵庫にあるのみでしたが、フリードリンクコーナーにも水があるのでなんとかなりました。 ４人で泊まれるタイプの客室は、化粧台が横に広く、女性４人が同時にメイクできました。シンクも複数あり、これは他になく助かります。 掛け布団は羽毛ですね、軽く柔らかく快適に眠れました。 ビュッフェレストランは地元産の食材をふんだんに使った料理の種類が豊富で、特にじゃがバターや肉じゃが等のジャガイモ料理と、甘エビや帆立の刺身が最高です。 自分で好きな具材を生地にのせて焼いてもらう野菜ピザは少し焼き時間がかかりましたがピザ釜で焼き上げられ美味。 朝食の牛乳３産地飲み比べも楽しく美味でした。ソフトクリームも朝晩あります。味噌汁は具材をビュッフェから取ってきて卓上の汁の鍋で少し煮るスタイル。具材種類多くて迷います。 露天風呂は岩肌のゴツゴツザラザラが気になりました。 売店はコンパクトながら良い品が揃っており便利でした。 東京都心や沖縄の外資系高級ホテルの中にはコロナの前と後では明らかに人手不足等の影響でサービス質が落ち価格に見合わなくなったところもありますが、こちらはスタッフが足りない感じは無く、素朴で温かい接客に「来て良かった」と思いました。

Extremely Japanese comfort Dinner was served with care. 5 course meal. Fresh and delightful Room is clean and Japanese western style I had the private Bathroom.

The service was a bit terrible. We stayed 3 nights asked for 3 towels as 1 for each day but they didn’t provide and asked to use 1 for 3 days. It was terrible. Other than that everything was good.

傳統的日式酒店，非常好。