Cross Hotel Sapporo

Suzana and Hoyanna in the lounge were wonderful, and we were happy to see them each evening. The breakfast was insanely good, so try it if you can. Everyone working there made it a pleasure, including the front desk staff who were great at check-in. The people were a big part of our dream vacation. I wouldn’t change anything about Cross Hotel, and my wife and I will definitely come back.

My father went into a diabetic coma during our stay, and the front desk staff did everything they could despite the language barrier. They got an ambulance there in time to revive him, and thankfully he had no lasting damage. The staff stayed calm and helped the EMS team. It’s frightening to face a medical emergency abroad when you can’t communicate easily, and we’re very grateful for their help. The hotel also has a high-end feel for a very affordable price. Our room was large, and the view from the upper floors was amazing. It’s a great location, just a few steps from an elevator down to the underground walkway. Some staff speak fluent English, and we managed to communicate with most of them even with very little English. The main thing I’d improve is the common area. It could use more space for sitting, eating, and relaxing, plus high chairs for small children.

We really enjoyed the onsen before bed. The breakfast spread was extensive, with Western and Japanese dishes like ramen, meats, salads, fruit, and desserts. The hotel felt modern and comfortable, and the staff were very accommodating. It’s less than a 10-minute walk to the train station, and being near the underground walkway is especially handy in winter.

We appreciated the luggage forwarding, and the reception area was a nice place to sit while waiting for others. The hotel is handy for Sapporo Station, but watch your step on the walk there in midwinter because the paths can be very icy. The room was small, as expected, and after staying in ryokan hotels around Hokkaido, I really appreciated the lovely shower. Breakfast was a letdown. Both mornings we queued for a table, even though there were plenty of empty ones once we were admitted. The coffee was available while waiting or to take back to the room, and the tables had been cleared with no “in use” cards. The maître d seemed to be clearing tables and managing the queue by the lift lobby, where guests had to take a number, but was nowhere to be seen when we left either morning. We arrived at 7:30 the first day and joined the queue at 6:50 the second. Maybe seating for solo diners could help use all the tables and ease the congestion. The breakfast selection didn’t really appeal to me. It mixed breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert, and I don’t fancy ice cream or tiramisu in the morning. The two cereals mixed with dried fruit, yoghurt, and milk were delicious, though. The bar and evening restaurant had a cover charge, so our group didn’t go in.