Smile Hotel Kushiro

The breakfast was excellent, and the staff were consistently warm and helpful. I’ve stayed in plenty of Japanese business hotels, but Smile Hotel still went beyond what I expected. It’s around a 15-minute walk from JR Kushiro Station. At reception, guests can pick up lots of complimentary items, from toiletries and bath salts to extra pillows, gowns, a kettle, humidifier, tea, coffee, sake, and hot soup. I’d recommend it.

The bed was incredibly comfortable, and the room was clean and pleasant. I was impressed by how many little extras they offer: a bath salt bar and pillow bar, free shaved ice, miso soup, coffee, tea, and even sake. Breakfast was delicious with plenty of choices, and the staff were friendly. It’s about 1 km from the station, which is the main drawback if you arrive by train. The upside is the central spot, with restaurants and the river nearby, plus a 7eleven, Seicomart, and a large supermarket a short walk away. Great value, and I’d happily recommend it.

I stayed for two nights, and there were lots of places to eat and drink nearby, which made getting around convenient. The hotel is about a 10-minute walk from Kushiro Station. The lobby felt bright and clean, and the receptionist was polite and kind. They had free welcome drinks, including local sake, instant soup, and coffee from a machine. My room was neat and clean, though a little small and somewhat dark. The price was reasonable, so I’d recommend it.

At 1 a.m., all the room lights came on for five minutes, and there was no way to switch them off. We’d been asleep since 10 p.m. In the morning, several guests were angry at reception, but nobody offered compensation. My worst experience in Japan. The people seemed dishonest.