Sapporo Grand Hotel Review: Why I Loved It

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We spent four nights at Sapporo Grand Hotel during our first trip to Hokkaido in July, and it turned out to be one of the most comfortable places we stayed in Japan.

The room was spacious, the beds were incredibly comfortable, and the central location meant we could walk to most of the places we wanted to visit.

We also stayed in an Executive Floor Hollywood Twin Room, which came with access to the hotel’s Executive Lounge, one of my favourite parts of our stay.

So, if you’re wondering whether it’s worth booking, here’s my honest Sapporo Grand Hotel review after four nights, including what we loved, what could have been better and whether I’d stay here again.

Is Sapporo Grand Hotel worth staying at?

Yes. 

I’d happily stay at Sapporo Grand Hotel again, particularly for its excellent location, spacious rooms and overall comfort.

This hotel made an excellent base for exploring Sapporo on our first visit to Hokkaido.

It feels appropriately grand, with a huge lobby, multiple check-in desks and an atmosphere that’s a little more luxurious than your average city hotel.

But what impressed me most was how comfortable it felt.

After five busy days exploring Tokyo in 39°C heat, averaging around 20,000 steps a day, we were ready for somewhere we could properly relax.

And that’s exactly what we got.

Our room was incredibly quiet, the beds were comfortable and we had considerably more space than we’d expected.

We also had access to the Executive Lounge as part of our room booking, which was a particularly nice addition given we’d spent an eyewatering amount to stay there during peak season.

For us, the combination of location, comfort and those little extras made the hotel worth what we’d paid, even though our last-minute booking hadn’t been particularly budget-friendly.

Where is Sapporo Grand Hotel located?

One of the biggest advantages of staying at Sapporo Grand Hotel is its location.

It’s right in central Sapporo, within walking distance of many of the city’s main attractions.

We could easily walk to Odori Park, Sapporo Clock Tower, Tanukikoji Shopping Arcade and Susukino.

And after spending five days navigating Tokyo’s enormous train network, that was a very welcome change.

Sapporo Station was also less than a 10-minute walk from the hotel.

We took a day trip to Otaru during our stay, and being so close to the station made the journey straightforward. There was no need to work out a complicated route before we’d even caught our train.

I also appreciated being able to wander around the city in the evenings without worrying about how we’d get back.

We visited during the Sapporo Summer Festival, when parts of Odori Park had been transformed into enormous outdoor beer gardens.

Being able to enjoy the atmosphere and then walk back to the hotel was ideal, particularly after an evening enjoying the festival.

If you’re wondering where to stay in Sapporo for your first visit, I think the area around Sapporo Station and Odori is an excellent choice.

We found Sapporo surprisingly easy to navigate, and staying centrally meant we could explore at our own pace without constantly relying on public transport.

If you’re planning your first visit, I’ve also put together a 5 days in Sapporo itinerary covering how we explored the city, our day trip to Otaru and a few places I’d recommend considering if you have more time.

Our Executive Floor Hollywood Twin Room

We stayed in an Executive Floor Hollywood Twin Room with Lounge Access for four nights.

Ordinarily, we’d have booked a regular double or king room, but we’d left our accommodation booking rather late.

What we hadn’t realised was that our dates coincided with the opening of the Sapporo Summer Festival.

Hotels were filling up quickly, and our options were becoming increasingly limited by the minute. Quite literally.

So we booked the cheapest room still available for our dates, which happened to be an Executive Floor Hollywood Twin Room with lounge access.

It wasn’t what we’d originally planned, but we were very happy with it.

And as it turned out, having access to the Executive Lounge was a lovely added benefit.

The room was surprisingly spacious

One of the first things that impressed me was how much space we had.

Having already spent several nights in Tokyo, we’d become accustomed to making the most of every available inch.

Japanese hotel rooms have a reputation for being on the smaller side, so I was really pleased with how spacious ours was.

There was plenty of room to unpack, spread out our luggage and move around comfortably without constantly having to step over suitcases.

It made the room feel like somewhere we could properly relax after a long day exploring Sapporo, rather than simply somewhere to sleep.

The beds were incredibly comfortable

A comfortable bed is one of the most important things I look for in a hotel.

And thankfully, Sapporo Grand Hotel delivered.

We slept really well throughout our stay.

The room was also incredibly quiet, which made it feel like a proper escape from the city outside. Despite staying in such a central location, we weren’t disturbed by noise.

After spending our days walking around Sapporo and exploring Otaru, having somewhere peaceful to return to was exactly what we needed.

They provided fresh pyjamas every day

One of my favourite little details was the hotel pyjamas.

Providing nightwear is fairly common in Japanese hotels, but Sapporo Grand Hotel was actually the only one of the three hotels we stayed at during our Japan trip that provided them.

Even better, they were replaced with fresh ones every day.

I thought that was a lovely touch.

There’s something rather luxurious about returning to your room and finding clean pyjamas waiting for you.

Although I should mention the sizing.

As expected, they ran pretty small.

They fitted us, but snug is an understatement.

They were particularly great to lounge around the room in when the air conditioning felt a bit high, but personally would have been too thick to sleep in.

Still, I appreciated the gesture, and it’s one of those little things that made the stay feel special.

The bathroom and toiletries

The bathroom was slightly dated compared with the rest of the room, but it was clean, functional and had everything we needed.

It also had the standard Japanese toilet with all its fancy buttons, which I never seem to get bored of using.

What I particularly appreciated was the selection of toiletries provided.

Alongside the usual bathroom essentials, there was a full skincare set, including individual sachets of cleanser, makeup remover and moisturiser.

It’s such a thoughtful touch, especially when you’re travelling and don’t necessarily want to unpack your entire skincare routine every evening.

If only I’d known!

What are the facilities like at Sapporo Grand Hotel?

As the name suggests, Sapporo Grand Hotel makes quite an impression when you walk inside.

The lobby is enormous, and the whole place has a grand, polished feel.

There are multiple check-in desks, a concierge service and several businesses within the hotel itself.

It feels like somewhere you could quite happily spend time rather than simply passing through on your way to your room.

The lobby and shops

There were multiple restaurants, gift shops and other places to browse, which added to the feeling that this was a substantial hotel rather than somewhere purely functional.

We didn’t make use of the concierge service, but it was nice knowing it was available.

The hotel also felt very clean and well maintained throughout our stay.

That contributed to the overall impression of somewhere comfortable and a little bit plush.

The Executive Lounge was a lovely bonus

Our Executive Floor Hollywood Twin Room included access to the hotel’s Executive Lounge.

At the time of booking, we were more concerned about finding somewhere comfortable to stay than paying attention to all the extras included with our room.

But having access to the lounge turned out to be a lovely bonus.

It’s worth knowing that the Executive Lounge isn’t available to every hotel guest. Access depends on your room category, so I’d check what’s included before booking.

The lounge itself was a lovely space to escape to when we weren’t out sightseeing.

There were complimentary hot and cold drinks available throughout the day, along with alcoholic drinks too.

Food was served at different times too, including morning refreshments between 8am and 10am, tea time from 10am–12pm, afternoon tea from 12 to 5pm and happy hour between 5pm and 9pm.

As a vegetarian, I didn’t find the food selection particularly exciting.

There were a couple of options, but the variety wasn’t amazing.

Still, that wasn’t really why I enjoyed using the lounge.

It was somewhere comfortable to sit with a drink, catch up on a little work or read a book without having to stay in our room.

After several busy days exploring Japan, I really appreciated having that option.

It also made the hotel feel that little bit more luxurious.

I wouldn’t book the hotel solely for the lounge, but if it’s included with your room, I’d definitely make use of it.

Starbucks and The Bakery & Pastry

One thing I particularly appreciated was having a Starbucks in the hotel lobby.

We hadn’t booked breakfast as part of our stay, so being able to pick up a coffee without going very far was extremely convenient.

Especially first thing in the morning.

There’s also a shop called The Bakery & Pastry on the ground floor of the East Building, selling bread, cakes and other sweet treats.

Between that and Starbucks, there were plenty of convenient options for picking something up without leaving the hotel.

Sometimes it’s the little conveniences that make a hotel stay easier.

And easy access to caffeine is fairly high on my list.

Restaurants and breakfast

Sapporo Grand Hotel has on-site dining options, although we didn’t try them during our stay.

We hadn’t booked breakfast, and we preferred going out and exploring the city when it came to meals.

We did have access to the morning refreshments in the Executive Lounge, but I wouldn’t describe that as the same experience as sitting down for a full hotel breakfast.

So I can’t comment on the quality of the hotel’s restaurants or whether breakfast is worth paying extra for.

If having breakfast included is important to you, I’d check the available room rates before booking.

For us, not having breakfast included wasn’t an issue.

We were perfectly happy finding something to eat elsewhere.

Is Sapporo Grand Hotel good value for money?

For us, yes, although we definitely paid more than we would have if we’d booked a few weeks either side of the Summer Festival.

We checked comparable rates for other dates, and the difference was significant. Unfortunately, we’d left booking until the festival was about to begin, so we didn’t have much flexibility.

Despite the higher price, I was really pleased with what we got.

The room was spacious and comfortable, the hotel felt luxurious, and the location was excellent.

Having access to the Executive Lounge was another bonus, particularly because we could enjoy drinks and light refreshments without paying extra during our stay.

Would I have preferred to pay less?

Obviously.

But I still felt we’d made a good choice, and I’d happily stay again.

I can’t tell you whether it’ll be good value for your particular dates, because hotel prices and availability vary.

If you’re visiting during the Summer Festival or another busy period, I’d recommend booking earlier than we did.

And if lounge access appeals to you, make sure you check whether it’s included in the room category you’re considering.

Check prices and availability at Sapporo Grand Hotel.

Would I stay at Sapporo Grand Hotel again?

Without hesitation.

Sapporo ended up being one of my favourite stops during our first trip to Japan.

After the heat and constant activity of Tokyo, it was lovely to explore somewhere that felt a little more relaxed.

And Sapporo Grand Hotel was a big part of that experience.

It gave us a comfortable, peaceful place to return to after sightseeing, with more space than we’d expected and a location that made exploring the city easy.

The Executive Lounge turned out to be one of my favourite parts of the stay, and the daily pyjamas were another lovely touch.

Would I have appreciated pyjamas that weren’t quite so snug?

Yes.

Would I have loved more vegetarian options in the Executive Lounge?

Definitely.

But neither of those things would stop me booking again.

If you’re looking for somewhere comfortable, central and a little bit grand for your first visit to Sapporo, I think it’s an excellent option.

Check Sapporo Grand Hotel prices and availability.

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Read more about planning a trip to Japan:

• 10 Days in Japan in July for First-Time Visitors
• 5 Days in Tokyo: A First-Timer’s Tokyo Itinerary
• Where to Stay in Tokyo for the Best First Time Experience
• Park Hotel Tokyo Review: Is This Art Hotel Worth Staying At?
• 40 Things to Do in Tokyo on Your First Trip
• My Asakusa Sumo Experience: Is It Worth Booking?
• Street Kart Tokyo Bay: Is It Worth Doing?
• Hakone Day Trip From Tokyo: Route, Tips & Mistakes to Avoid
• Renting a Grandma in Tokyo: What Happened When We Tried It
• Things to Do in Sapporo: 22 Places to Visit on Your First Trip
• 5 Days in Sapporo: A First-Timer’s Sapporo Itinerary
• Sapporo Grand Hotel Review: Why I Loved It