APA Hotel Sapporo Hosui Susukino Ekimae

The room was clean and comfortable, with a bed I slept well in and a window that opened slightly for fresh air. It had the usual Japanese amenities. Everything was easy to reach on foot: the train entrance is right outside, a kombini is next door, and shops and restaurants are nearby. Odori Park, where the snow festival was held, was an easy 15-minute walk. I’d happily stay here again.

We were happy with the room and the staff took care of my requests. Our Triple Room was fine for us. Tourists can’t really be too picky when we spend most of our time out and use the room mainly to sleep. The hotel also accepted parcels on my behalf, which I appreciated. The food was great, especially the karaage and croquettes. It’s right in the middle of Susukino, about a five-minute walk from Surugaya and Mandarake Sapporo Norbesa, and close to shops selling figures. Thanks for a wonderful experience. I’ll come back again.

The mattress was so soft and felt collapsed, and we both woke up during the night in a lot of discomfort. My wife had sciatic pain the next morning, and my back was sore in a way I’d never experienced before. The main reason to book a hotel is to sleep well, and this stay was extremely disappointing after many good stays at APA Hotels. I brought it up with the staff and management. They acknowledged that the bed was noticeably softer than one in another room, but only apologized. There was no refund, credit, or practical help, just a token gesture of a few curry packets. A little understanding and real effort to help would have meant a lot. Because of how little care they showed, I won’t stay here again or choose APA in the future.

There was a buzzing noise every 5-10 minutes in both rooms for the whole stay, like a phone on the floor getting a text. The rooms were 608 and 609, booked for one night on Feb 6 so we could enjoy the Snow Festival before going to Niseko to snowboard. They cost over $300 each per night. Outside it was -16 C, and neither room had working heat. Turning it on only blew cold air and made the rooms colder. Staff told me they had reset the system and that the heat would come back, but it never did. We all slept in very cold rooms, warmer in the hallway. Really disappointing. I’d never stay here again.