Hakodate Hotel Banso（ORIX HOTELS & RESORTS）

I had the best hotel buffet I’ve ever had. The dinner buffet was amazing, and the spa helped me fully relax after my journey. The friendly staff guided us through all of it and always tried their best to make the stay feel welcoming.

I’ve always chosen this hotel on visits to Hakodate because the meals and hot spring used to satisfy me so much. Those are the two things I care about most when picking a hotel, so I was deeply disappointed that both had declined significantly on this stay. I’d really been looking forward to the cuisine, which used to be exceptional, but it felt considerably different this time. The all-you-can-eat crab, once the highlight, was gone. The steak was tougher than before and didn’t meet the meat quality I expected. As someone who loves Japanese cuisine, I also felt unsatisfied by the reduced sashimi variety. The onsen left me concerned as well. During my 5 a.m. bath, I saw a guest with a large tattoo covering his back. Does the hotel allow guests with tattoos in the hot spring? I wonder whether the usage rules and guidance are being properly enforced so everyone can feel secure bathing. Since I trusted the quality of both the meals and onsen, the gap with this experience was especially disappointing. For my next trip to Hakodate, I’ll likely look for a new hotel that meets the quality I’m after.

The staff were friendly and helpful, and the rooms were comfortable and clean. This is a fantastic onsen hotel, with bathing and dining facilities offering everything a westerner in Japan could wish for. It’s 20 minutes from the station by taxi, but well worth the trip.

After bathing, I really enjoyed the free ice candy, cold water, and haskap water. The onsen is fine, with two saunas and three different baths. Since it’s in the city, you don’t get a great nature view, but I had a great experience. I stayed for two nights, with buffet-style breakfast and dinner, so you can take whatever you like and as much as you want. Soft drinks are included. The breakfast and dinner menus differ a little. Personally, I wanted more local-specialised course dinner, though the buffet was still quite satisfying.