ANA Crowne Plaza Sapporo by IHG

The front desk staff were helpful and spoke English reasonably well, and the breakfast had a good selection, though there can be a wait when it’s busy. We stayed for three nights; the rooms aren’t big, but they’re fine for a short visit. The airport bus stops right outside the hotel, but we waited over an hour, watching six buses go by before we could board. With little luggage, the train is about three times faster, followed by an eight-minute walk to the hotel.

The location made getting around easy in the cold. The airport bus dropped us right at the entrance, and there was an underground and subway entrance half a block beyond the north exit. We could reach all our destinations through the tunnels. Our room on the 18th floor had a stunning view over Sapporo, and the kids loved watching the snow fall. The room was spotless, lovely, quiet, and stocked with high-quality amenities. The blackout curtains helped us sleep well. It was already set up with enough beds for our family of five, and the kids got adorable amenity kits with child-sized slippers, a sponge, and a toothbrush. We hated leaving to continue our trip and would gladly stay here again.

Service was excellent and faultless, and I enjoyed the selection of hot tea downstairs each morning. Still, that didn’t make up for the room, location, and value. I’ve stayed at two IHG Crowne Plazas around the world, including Canberra in Australia, and both have felt comfortable enough but dated, with amenities that don’t compare well with newer choices. At ANA Crowne Plaza Sapporo, the walls were thin enough that neighbors moving around woke me at night. Foyer noise carried too, and with the door open, nearby guests could hear you. The washroom was cramped and Western-style, rather than the separate dry and wet areas we’d grown used to elsewhere on our holiday. Anyone over 180 cm may especially struggle with the raised floor and low ceiling. We chose the hotel for its central position, but it wasn’t close to major food or shopping areas, which were 10-20 minutes away on foot. Being next to Sapporo station underground was useful for day trips, but not much else. On future visits, I think we’ll stay closer to the livelier Tanukikoji district. It was a satisfactory stay, but I probably wouldn’t return. I think better value, newer amenities, and a better location are available elsewhere.

The premium rooms are quite large, with the toilet and bath in separate areas. Water and Nespresso pods were replenished every day, and hotel businesses gave guests a 10% discount. The Good Coffee place on the first floor is definitely worth a visit. The location is excellent, right by PARCO and the Sapporo Station, with local shrines and parks an easy 30-45 minutes away.