Unbelievable Abashiri Luxury: Abashiri Royal Hotel Awaits!
Unbelievable Abashiri Luxury: My (Sometimes Unbelievable) Royal Hotel Adventure!
Okay, let's be real. I just got back from the Abashiri Royal Hotel, and I need to unpack this experience, literally and figuratively. They promise “Unbelievable Luxury,” and well… they deliver… sort of? It was an experience, alright. Let's dive in, shall we?
SEO & Metadata Snippets (for the bots, you see):
- Title: Abashiri Royal Hotel Review: Luxury, Views & Quirks! (Unbelievable?)
- Keywords: Abashiri Royal Hotel, Hokkaido, Japan, Luxury Hotel, Accessible Hotel, Onsen, Spa, Restaurant Review, Free Wi-Fi, Wheelchair Accessible, Abashiri Things to do, Hotel Review, Travel Japan
- Description: My brutally honest review of the Abashiri Royal Hotel. From stunning views to the slightly… odd… quirks, I spill the tea (or the complimentary tea, at least) on this Hokkaido gem. Accessibility, dining, spa – I covered it all!
Getting There & The First Hurdle (Accessibility - Because, Life):
The good news: Airport transfer was smooth. They had a nice, clean van that fit all our luggage (and my overpacked emotional baggage). The bad news? The first hurdle was realizing "accessible" in Japan sometimes means "accessible ish." While the hotel claims wheelchair accessible, the reality was a bit more "navigable with a bit of effort." The elevator was thankfully large enough, and ramps were mostly present. But navigating certain corners felt like an obstacle course sometimes. I wouldn’t say it was perfectly accessible, but they’ve tried. Give them credit for the effort.
First Impressions & Wow Moments:
Walking into the lobby… Wow. Seriously. That view! The pool with a view (more on that later) made my jaw drop. The terrace offered panoramic vistas of the Sea of Okhotsk (or what I think was the Sea of Okhotsk, I'm not a geography wiz). The front desk [24-hour] staff were polite, helpful (though the English varied), and the concierge was actually decent. The hotel looks impressive. The room decorations were tasteful. And the air conditioning in public area was a godsend because it was HOT on arrival. Like, sweat-pouring-down-my-back hot.
My Room - A Love/Hate Relationship (Available in All Rooms):
Let's talk room, which was a mix of pure bliss and minor frustrations. My room had the basics, and then some. Air conditioning, a desk (essential for my work-from-hotel lifestyle), a coffee/tea maker (thank goodness!), and a refrigerator to keep my sake chilled. Free Wi-Fi worked most of the time, and they do offer Internet access – wireless and Internet access – LAN. The bathtub was huge (perfect for a soak after a long day), the separate shower/bathtub was lovely.
But… and there’s always a but…
- The soundproofing wasn't the best. I swear I knew my neighbor's entire life story by the end of day two.
- The blackout curtains were a godsend, though. They’re crucial for battling jet lag.
- They do offer slippers, bathrobes, and toiletries. Nice touch!
- Additional toilet was a total luxury (I’m not kidding - it makes a difference!), but the mirror could have been a little larger.
- I appreciated the high floor – the higher the better, for the view!
- Wake-up service worked perfectly.
The Food Frenzy (Dining, Drinking & Snacking):
Okay, buckle up. This is where things get interesting.
- Breakfast [buffet]: A mixed bag. Asian breakfast options were amazing (the miso soup was divine!), but the Western breakfast offerings were… well, they were there. You can get breakfast in room, but honestly, the buffet is the experience. Buffet in restaurant with plenty of options.
- Restaurants: They boast several. Restaurants offer A la carte in restaurant, Asian cuisine in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, and even a Vegetarian restaurant.
- Happy hour: I didn't get hammered. Don't worry, it's not that kind of review.
- Coffee shop: Needs more caffeine options. Just sayin'.
- The Poolside bar had amazing views and overpriced drinks. But, you pay for the view.
- Room service [24-hour]: A lifesaver for those late-night cravings. Though, the menu was somewhat…limited.
- Snack bar: Pretty standard fare. Grabbed a water bottle or two.
- The Bottle of water was a welcome sight.
- They have an Alternative meal arrangement option. Good for people with allergies and dietary limitations.
- They also have a Salad in restaurant with fresh ingredients.
The Spa & Relaxation Station (Things to Do, Ways to Relax):
This is where the "luxury" really shone through, for the most part.
- Spa/sauna: Yes, please. They had a legit sauna and steamroom. After a day of exploring, it was pure bliss.
- Massage: I splurged on a massage. Worth every penny. One of the best treatments I’ve ever had.
- Body scrub and Body wrap: They offer these. I was tempted but stuck with the massage.
- Foot bath: Nice touch!
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: One of the most memorable parts of the trip. The Pool with view was stunning. But be warned – the water was freezing in the morning. A bracing way to start the day, if you're into that sort of thing.
- Gym/fitness: I didn't brave the Fitness center, but it looked well-equipped.
Cleanliness & Safety (aka, The Pandemic Postmortem):
I was very impressed with their hygiene protocols. They clearly take COVID seriously.
- Daily disinfection in common areas.
- Staff trained in safety protocol.
- Hand sanitizer everywhere.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter enforced (mostly).
- Rooms sanitized between stays.
- They had Anti-viral cleaning products.
- They removed Shared stationery removed, and had Safe dining setup.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items.
- Sterilizing equipment.
- Individually-wrapped food options.
- They offer Room sanitization opt-out available.
- But, because of all the measures, I did feel safe.
Services & Conveniences (The Little Things):
- The concierge was fantastic for tips. Just be prepared to translate sometimes.
- Daily housekeeping was efficient.
- They have a convenience store.
- Currency exchange can always be a lifesaver.
- Luggage storage was a must.
- They have a Laundry service, but I didn't use it.
- There’s a gift/souvenir shop to buy your loved ones presents.
- Wi-Fi for special events
The "Other" Stuff & Minor Annoyances:
Internet services were a mixed bag.
Business facilities were available, but I didn't use them.
They have a Car park [free of charge]. Always a win!
The smoking area was tucked away, which I appreciated.
I don’t know what the fire extinguisher was for, but it felt good to see.
They have a Shrine (because Japan).
The non-smoking rooms are a MUST, because, you know.
Family/child friendly – I saw a few kids there, but it didn't feel like overly kid-focused.
Pets allowed unavailable – No pet allowed.
The staff’s English was sometimes…challenging. Be patient.
The TV selection was limited, with a few Satellite/cable channels
The cashless payment service (thank goodness!)
The taxi service was readily available.
They provide essential condiments.
I didn’t need the doctor/nurse on call.
Invoice provided wasn't completely accurate, but they fixed it promptly.
Final Verdict (The Truth, the Whole Truth, and Nothing But the Truth):
The Abashiri Royal Hotel is a beautiful hotel with some genuinely luxurious touches. The views are breathtaking and the spa is a total treat. However, be prepared for a few
Escape to Paradise: Bearlin Bungalow's Vang Vieng Magic
Alright, buckle up, buttercups! This isn't your sanitized, perfectly-edited itinerary. This is a raw, unfiltered travelogue of a slightly-unhinged soul's adventure in Abashiri, Japan. Specifically, at the Abashiri Royal Hotel. Let's go! (And, uh, I'm writing this before I even go – pre-emptive anxiety is a gift, people.)
ABASHIRI ROYAL HOTEL: THE GREAT (AND POTENTIALLY FREEZING) ESCAPE - A MESSY ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrival and Antarctic Anticipation (AKA, Mild Panic About My Coat)
- 14:00 (ish): Arrive at New Chitose Airport (CTS). Okay, deep breaths. The airport alone could be a whole day trip. I swear I saw a Snoopy store last time. Must. Find. Snoopy. And, you know, immigration. Passport's in the right place… right? (Check, check, check… still mildly anxious.)
- 15:00 (ish): Shinkansen (bullet train) to some station near Abashiri. I think? Google Maps says so. I'm hoping I haven’t booked the wrong train. I'm half expecting to end up in some yakitori restaurant in Osaka. (Pray for me.) The sheer efficiency of the Japanese train system is both impressive and terrifying. I feel like I need to be fluent in origami and time travel to operate it smoothly.
- 19:00 (or when I find the hotel): Arrive at Hotel Abashiri Royal. Pray to God I didn't flunk the train part. First impressions are everything. Is the lobby going to be all sleek, modern, and judgmentally clean? Or will it have a slightly musty, "grandma's attic" charm? I’m hoping for the latter. Give me character, give me quirks! And most importantly: WHERE'S MY ROOM KEY?
- 19:30: Unpack. Or, attempt to. My suitcase is a black hole of chaos. I'll find my socks eventually. First priority: locate the room's heating system. I keep hearing, in the back of my mind, about the frozen sea, the ice floes, the biting Siberian winds… I am legitimately concerned about my coat. Did I bring the really thick one? Did I?
- 20:00: Dinner at the hotel restaurant (presumably). Hope it comes with a view of the ice floes. If it doesn't… well, I will be very unimpressed. I'm thinking a hearty, warming bowl of ramen is in order. Comfort food, because anxiety.
- 21:00: Check out the onsen (hot spring bath). My biggest, silliest fear is that I won’t be able to do the traditional onsen routine. That I will mess it up somehow. (Okay, maybe not that silly, I don’t want to offend anyone!) I shall practice the towel placement technique in the privacy of my ridiculously oversized room.
- 22:00: Sleep. Sleep. Sleep. Maybe. Maybe I’ll be too excited. Maybe my stomach will be tied in knots. Maybe I'll be too awestruck by the vastness of the universe to fall asleep. Whatever happens, I need to at least try, because Day 2 is all about …
Day 2: The Icebreaker and the Emotional Avalanche (AKA, The Day They Freeze You and Give You Back)
- 8:00: Breakfast. Pray they have coffee and, failing that, something caffeinated.
- 9:00: The Abashiri Icebreaker Cruise. This is the main event, folks! The entire reason for this trip. I've seen the pictures of the ice and it looks absolutely breathtaking. Which also means… terrifying. I’m bracing myself for a potentially emotional day; I can either be deeply moved with awe… or be terrified. Possibly both. I'm thinking I should bring a waterproof camera. And maybe a therapist. Just in case.
- 9:30 -12:00: The Cruise. This is it. The moment of glory. I'm envisioning massive ice floes cracking beneath the hull of the ship! I'm picturing seals! I'm imagining the wind whipping through my hair (which is what I'm most concerned about, let's be honest). I’m also mentally preparing for the real possibility of motion sickness. (Ginger candies, check.) I might burst into tears, it’s not impossible. Oh, God, I hope I didn't forget my gloves. (I hate cold hands.)
- 12:30: Lunch. Hopefully nothing too exotic; I'm not entirely sure what my churning stomach can handle, but I’ll be sure to make an effort.
- 14:00: Drift Ice Museum and Abashiri Prison Museum - Okay, this is shaping up to be a slightly depressing afternoon. But, I must see both. The Drift Ice Museum will be beautiful. And potentially cold. (Understatement of the century.) The Prison Museum… well, I envision seeing the human side. Because any museum dedicated to jails will also be very intense. I fully expect the museum’s shop to be full of grim commemorative items.
- 17:00: Back at the hotel! A warm bath is in order, stat! I’ll need to recover from the potential emotional rollercoaster of the day. Possibly order room service: Comfort & Pizza.
- 19:00: Dinner. Again. Ramen, again. Or something that doesn’t require a whole lot of thinking.
- 20:00: (Attempt) to relax, to write in my journal (or, more likely, stare blankly at the wall thinking, "What have I got myself into?").
- 22:00: Unlikely. It might be too late.
Day 3: Cultural Immersion (and a Bit of Lostness)
- 8:00: Breakfast. Coffee! Please, God, coffee.
- 9:00: Explore Abashiri! I’m relying on Google maps (again, no pressure) to guide me. I'd like to see local life. I want to just wander, get lost (a little), and experience something that isn’t pre-planned. I will probably get lost. This has a 90% chance of happening.
- 12:00: Lunch. Wherever I end up, I will eat there. Maybe I will find a hidden gem. I’m hoping I will. Maybe I’ll have an amazing food experience.
- 14:00: Return to the hotel to pack and gather items.
- 16:00: The train. Again. Oh, God… It will be the same train. I hope.
- 17:00: I hope I make it.
- 20:00: The airport.
- The end:
Post-Trip Ramblings (To be filled in, post-trip):
- Did I wear the right coat?
- Did I get motion sickness?
- Did I see the seals?
- Did I cry?
- Did I make a fool of myself in the onsen?
- Did I find Snoopy?
- Did I ever, ever find those darn socks?
- (Insert actual, honest, and probably rambling account of my Abashiri adventures here. Expect a lot of self-deprecating humor, and potentially a slight existential crisis.)
This is going to be an adventure. I can feel it. Wish me luck! (And send coffee.)
Beijing's BEST Kept Secret Hotel: Citytel Inn Unveiled!
Is the Abashiri Royal Hotel *really* luxurious, or is that just marketing fluff?
Okay, so “luxurious” is a loaded word, right? I went in thinking "Oh, another hotel promising the moon and delivering cold instant coffee." And listen, there *are* definitely some areas where the fluff factor is a little high. Think perfectly folded towels shaped like swans. *Sigh.*
But here's the juicy bit: *some* of it genuinely is luxurious. The rooms? Spacious, with views that could make a grown man weep (I might have), especially if you get one facing the Sea of Okhotsk. Imagine waking up to the sunrise over the ice floes... Pure magic... when the sun *decided* to peek through the Hokkaido fog. Which, let's be honest, isn't always a certainty (seriously, that fog can be a mood).
The lobby? Grand, yes, but also a bit... *empty* feeling sometimes. Like a fancy art gallery that forgot to put the art up. And the prices in the gift shop? Let's just say I skipped the penguin plushie. But the *vibe* is still… good. Expect a mix: think slightly dated elegance meets breath-taking natural beauty. It’s a journey of discovery!
What's the deal with the hot springs (Onsen)? Are they worth the hype? And do I have to be naked? (I'm shy!)
Oh, the Onsen. *This* is where the magic truly happens and also where my inner awkward turtle came out to play. Yes, they are *absolutely* worth the hype. Seriously. Abashiri is known for its hot springs, and the Abashiri Royal Hotel does *not* disappoint. The water is, like, liquid silk on your skin.
And yes, you'll be naked. Well, mostly. In the women's onsen (and probably the men's – wouldn’t know, haven't checked!), everyone is stripped down. It's a bit daunting at first, I won't lie. I remember my first time. I practically *tiptoed* in, eyes glued to the floor, trying to look like I belonged. I even went at an odd hour, hoping to avoid the crowds. Turns out this was a mistake, because there was only *one* other person, a Japanese woman, who seemed genuinely happy she had me there, and didn’t break eye contact once. She was probably trying to determine if I was going to fall over.
But it's also… liberating. You just *relax*. The initial awkwardness melts away with the steam. And the feeling of pure, steaming bliss as you soak in the outdoor bath, surrounded by snow (if you're going in winter) or the crisp autumn air... Honestly? It’s the most relaxed I’ve felt in… well, a long time. Just embrace the naked communal experience, and you'll be fine. Just *try* not to drop soap.
Is the food any good? I’m a picky eater. (And does it include seafood?!)
Buckle up, picky eaters, because this is Hokkaido. And Hokkaido is known for two things: its stunning natural beauty and its *amazing* food. And yes, *duh*, the food is mostly seafood. If you don’t like seafood, well, you're frankly missing out. You *might* have a hard time.
The breakfast buffet... ah, the breakfast buffet. A glorious, overwhelming display. I remember the first morning. I just stood there for like, a solid ten minutes, paralyzed by decision fatigue. So much to choose from! From the freshest sushi I have ever seen at the *start* of a day (!!!), to the standard Japanese breakfast options (miso soup, rice, pickles). The staff is extremely kind and helpfully direct you with a smile, and I got the clear impression they all really enjoyed the produce. There was a noodle station manned by someone who appeared to be a direct descendant of a noodle god.
Dinner? Varies. There's usually a main restaurant with a set menu, and it's *usually* excellent. Expect fresh, seasonal ingredients. The seafood is, of course, the star. The presentation is beautiful, the flavors are intense, and you might find yourself trying things you never even considered before. I'm not a huge fan of sea urchin (uni), but I actually liked it here. Something about the freshness. You might even find yourself converted… or not. It's a gamble.
Tell me about the rooms. Do they really have "Royal" views? I'm thinking of booking a specific type.
Okay, "Royal" views is a bit of a stretch, right? But let's break it down. The key is to understand how the hotel is situated. The best views, the ones that *almost* live up to the hype, are the ones facing the Sea of Okhotsk. If you’re going in winter, the ice floes are truly something else. Like, jaw-droppingly beautiful. Seriously, book a room with that view if you can afford it.
I stayed in a corner room with a view of the sea. It was worth every penny. The room itself was spacious, clean, and comfortable. The bed was… a *cloud* of pillows and a very comfortable mattress which is super important as the travel can be tough. And the *sunsets*... oh, the sunsets. Purple, orange, pink… I'm not normally a "sunset person," but I was mesmerized. The other rooms? Well, they're fine. Maybe a slightly less exciting view of the mountains or the town. Still comfortable, but that Sea of Okhotsk view? That's the *real* luxury. If you can swing it, get it.
My advice? Read the room descriptions carefully. Sometimes they say "partial view," which could mean you get a sliver of the sea if you squint. Don't be fooled! Pay the extra bit. You won't regret it. And honestly? After spending all this money, if you don't enjoy it then what was the point of all this work? That's just my opinion. Don't @ me.
Any tips for navigating the hotel and the area around it? Is everything in English? Also, how can I get there?
Okay, here’s a little reality check: English isn’t *perfect* everywhere, but it’s generally manageable. The hotel staff is usually pretty good, especially at the front desk. They're used to tourists. The restaurant menus often have English translations, but sometimes they can get a little… *creative*. Embrace the adventure, and don’t be afraid to point and smile.
Getting *to* Abashiri and the hotel is a bit of a journey. You'll likely fly into Memanbetsu Airport (MMB). From there, it's a shortBook Hotels Now
