Abashiri Homestays

I booked for 1 night to see the drift ice the next day. Pier is walking distance from hotel. Reception was polite and helpful. There is a convenient store just opposite the hotel.

I don't think the room will change from other Toyoko Inns. If breakfast is included and it costs about 6000 yen, it is a reasonable price. Be careful as you need to bring your room clothes and amenities from the lobby. The number of breakfast items is not abundant, but you can eat in the room with basic lunch box ＋ other ingredients (taste nori, sausage, yakisoba, etc.). You can also eat in the dining room, but because you concentrate. There is only one elevator, so you will have to wait quite a while.

We who came to stay from Honshu ４ When we asked if we could only eat together with our family living in the area, or even add a day trip bath, despite the busy season (the day was full) It was helpful to be kindly and smoothly to respond to the addition and plan change without waiting. The originality of the northern ancient culture theme was explained while carrying luggage, and there was a pleasure not only to stay. In the place where I could meet Ezoris, I could see ３ animals up close even through the glass. The melon juice and hass cup juice at the free drink corner were very delicious. In the room, there was only drinking water in the glass pot in the refrigerator, but there was water in the free drink corner, so it was quite good. ４ The type of guest room where people can stay is large with a dressing table sideways, and women ４ can make it at the same time. There are multiple sinks, which is helpful. The comforter is feather, light and soft, and I could sleep comfortably. The buffet restaurant has a wide variety of dishes using plenty of local ingredients, especially potato dishes such as potato butter and meat potatoes, and sweet shrimp and sail sashimi. The vegetable pizza that I had to put my favorite ingredients on the dough and bake took a little time, but it was baked in a pizza pot and it was delicious. Breakfast milk ３ It was fun and delicious compared to drinking in the production area. There is also soft serve ice cream in the morning and evening. Miso soup is a style of taking the ingredients from the buffet and boiling them a little in a pot of soup on the table. I'm at a loss because there are many kinds of ingredients. I was worried about the rugged rock surface in the open-air bath. The shop was compact but convenient with good items. Some foreign-affiliated luxury hotels in central Tokyo and Okinawa have obviously lost their service quality due to labor shortages before and after Corona, but they are not worth the price. I didn't feel that there was enough staff here, and I thought ”I'm glad I came” to the simple and warm customer service.

I just finished two nights at the Hotel Hokkai in Abashiri. The hotel is fairly dated, yet very, very typical of what you find outside Hokkaido's main cities. It is very easy to find, along HWY 39 that runs between Asahikawa and Abashiri. The room size, decor, and tiny unit bath are all typical, something I've seen too many times to count. So, in that sense, I knew what I was getting, and am ok with that. One particular thing bothered me though, and completely changed my view of this hotel. I was running late on Friday night, having driven the 350 km from Sapporo. When I made the reservation I guessed my time of arrival would be at 11 pm. I arrived at 11:55. This is how the conversation went. ”Hotel: X-san. We were wondering what happened to you. We called your house.” ”Me: You called my house? Why?” ”Hotel: Because you were late.” ”Me: What time did you call?” ”Hotel: At 11:15” ”Me: So, you called my house when I was only 15 minutes late?” ”Yes. The last train to Abashiri has already arrived and you weren't here.” ”Me. Why did you think I would take the train?” (NB: I have a Japanese driver's license and drive everywhere. Clearly they think non-Japanese don't drive here.) ”Hotel: didn't answer my question...” ”Me: You shouldn't call my house late at night because I'm running late.” ”Hotel: No one answered at your house.” ”Me: That's because most people are asleep then. It's 11 pm!” After that, he handed me my key and I went up to my room, not happy. Honestly, I lost all respect for the hotel at that point. I've been to 80+ countries and thousands of hotels and never has one called my house when I was late, let alone 15 minutes late. As a result, I won't be staying at this hotel again. I'd rather sleep in my car.