Hotel Obihiro Hills

The staff made the stay especially pleasant. The woman on staff gave us a tip that helped us spot red-crowned cranes at Tokachigawa Onsen, and the foreign male staff member handled the breakfast area efficiently as well as working at reception. The dining space was kept clean. Thanks to both of them. This older hotel was very clean, and the room had tatami. It has more of a long-stay business traveler feel than a typical business hotel. Our room was warm. The futon was only okay, but I slept fine, and the comforter was oddly the best part. We were on a long trip and only needed a place to sleep, so the reasonable price suited us well. The unit bath is pretty cramped, so with family you may want to visit a nearby hot spring. There’s a freezer and coin laundry, plus free coffee on the first floor.

If all you need is somewhere to sleep and you’re okay with a short walk to shops, this place works well. I paid a reasonable price for one night in February, breakfast was included, and I was very satisfied. The service is basic, but it has the amenities needed for a comfortable stay, and the staff were courteous. One drawback: the heater gives off a cigarette smell when switched on, so it may not suit anyone sensitive to that. The room was warm already, though, so it didn’t bother me.

The twin room was cramped, and I struggled to find space for my bags. The bathroom was also so small that showering was difficult. Still, the staff were incredibly helpful, which made up for the tight quarters, and the free breakfast was delicious. I arrived after 8pm, and the foreign staff member came to reception to explain carefully where to find the parking lot, which was a little farther away. The hotel is old but well cared for, and the customer service was excellent.

I was impressed by how sincere and helpful the foreign staff were, from the front desk to breakfast. They even walked out into the snow to point out the parking lot. Breakfast was a free buffet, which felt like a rare find these days. It was a really nice stay.