Ana Crowne Plaza Sapporo, An Ihg Hotel

“Beware of hotel room key charges”

We stayed here for four nights last weekend. Coming to the busy Sapporo JR train station, we found it confusing to locate the exit 23 that was said the nearest to the hotel. Thus, we decided to find the street level and navigate ourselves from Sapporo JR station to the hotel. For the reference of f… more

We stayed here for four nights last weekend. Coming to the busy Sapporo JR train station, we found it confusing to locate the exit 23 that was said the nearest to the hotel. Thus, we decided to find the street level and navigate ourselves from Sapporo JR station to the hotel. For the reference of future guests, once you arrive at the Sapporo JR station, look for East gate exit. Look for the blue Toho line by going down the elevator. After you reach the subway station blue Toho line, you follow the sign to exit 23. Do not use exit 21, otherwise you have to carry your luggage up the stairs. The hotel is situated in a quiet part of the city. If you are into bustling nightlife and eatieries, then you would probably more suited to the Susukino area. But if you are into the quiet but still central to everything area, then ANA Plaza Sapporo would suit you best. We arrived at 10AM, and we could not check in early. We came back later around 8PMish. Check in was smooth and efficient. The staff was friendly and welcoming. We booked a double standard room. I found it to be small, like some other mid range hotels in Tokyo. The room looked like it had been renovated, with a few tired furnishing but had modern feel throughout. The bathroom looked new but compact. The bed was very comfortable with fluffy pillows. The room was pretty quiet. There were a couple of instances where you could hear your neighbour talking, but still tolerable. The most annoying part for me staying at this hotel was the treatment by one of the reception team. One night, i forgot to bring my room key. I approached him and asked him politely, he looked disinterested. He asserted that i have to return the 2 original roomkeys and 1 additional roomkey upon checkout. Otherwise, they would charge me. As a Platinum IHG member, i was amazed to be told that. To be honest, three of their room keys were just ordinary navy blue IHG cards on one side and the list of IHG brands on the other. This card would have been issued at many other IHG properties like the Holiday Inns. I would understand it if i was issued an ANA Crowne Plaza Sapporo card. Another perk staying at the hotel was the easy access to airport limousine bus, which was right in front of the hotel. Beware though, it took 2.5 hours to get to the airport yesterday! Spare you time well.

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“The check-in experience is not pleasant.”

I spent a night last week at the ANA Crowne Plaza. I have elite status with IHG hotels and this is my local Crowne Plaza. I checked in around 7:30 pm and gave my name, speaking only Japanese. The male clerk, looking at my profile on his computer screen, said to me "So...you live in Japan?" I answer… more

I spent a night last week at the ANA Crowne Plaza. I have elite status with IHG hotels and this is my local Crowne Plaza. I checked in around 7:30 pm and gave my name, speaking only Japanese. The male clerk, looking at my profile on his computer screen, said to me "So...you live in Japan?" I answered, "Yes, I do." He then said, "Can I see your passport or foreign registration card?" If that's how you are going to begin check in, there is no way to salvage the stay. I live in Japan and have for 28 years. I do not carry my passport around, nor should I have to. I'm not a tourist. And there is no requirement for non-ethnic Japanese living in Japan to show their registration card to anyone other than police and immigration. It is demeaning. I told the clerk in Japanese that I have Japanese citizenship and he stopped asking. But, I was already offended. The hotel itself is clearly dated, and the rooms are small for a Crowne Plaza. Plain white walls in the room, except for a strip of wallpaper above the headboard. But the commons areas are nice and the hotel is in a good location halfway between Sapporo Station and Odori Park. I did not try the breakfast, as I left early and drove home. This is the only IHG hotel in Japan I have stayed at to ever ask for my passport or foreign registration card. Most just look at my profile, see the multiple stays and welcome me. I will not be staying at this one again. The hotel is a marginal four on quality, but a two on the front desk staff.

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