Review: ANA Crowne Plaza Sapporo, an IHG Hotel

Upon arriving in Sapporo for my Japanese ski journey, I used to be seeking a brief one-night keep within the metropolis.

Given the restricted lodge choices out there, I opted to profit from my IHG Diamond standing for the 12 months and selected to remain on the ANA Crowne Plaza Sapporo.

Whereas IHG properties are likely to have restricted redemption alternatives and considerably modest elite standing advantages when in comparison with different loyalty packages, I’ve had some beneficial encounters with the model prior to now.

With this in thoughts, I used to be desirous to see how the ANA Crowne Plaza Sapporo would measure up compared.

ANA Crowne Plaza Sapporo – Reserving

Common money charges at this property fall within the vary of ¥14,000–20,000 ($120–175 USD, $154–220 CAD) per evening. Then again, reserving with factors ought to fall someplace between 28,000–40,000 IHG One Rewards factors.

On the time of my keep, money charges have been fairly cheap, and I booked this one-night keep for ¥14,400 ($165 USD, $130 CAD).

It’s value noting that this property participates in IHG’s most popular companion program, Luxurious & Way of life, which supplies you further advantages at no extra price. Bookings should be made by way of a certified journey advisor, and you may obtain elite-level remedy even if you happen to don’t have IHG One Rewards standing.

ANA Crowne Plaza Sapporo – Location

The ANA Crowne Plaza Sapporo has a reasonably handy location within the coronary heart of Sapporo, in shut proximity to notable points of interest and transportation.

Each the Sapporo Clock Tower and Nijo Fish Market are located only a 15-minute stroll away from the ANA Crowne Plaza Sapporo. Certainly, I went for a fast stroll to the Clock Tower and visited some close by meals institutions within the afternoon. 

Moreover, Tanukikoji Procuring Avenue is a short 10-minute stroll from the lodge, whereas, the Hokkaido Jingu Shrine is well accessible round 10 minutes away by car.

The lodge supplies easy accessibility by way of public transportation, with Sapporo Subway Station Exit 21, situated close by.

Moreover, a direct shuttle service is on the market from Hokkaido New Chitose Airport, albeit with an additional cost. The ANA Crowne Plaza Sapporo is roughly an hour’s journey from the airport.

ANA Crowne Plaza Sapporo – Verify-in

The lodge stands as a 26-storey concrete constructing, boasting a fundamental entrance that contains a porte-cochère adorned with the lodge’s identify towards the wall.

Upon arrival, I used to be warmly greeted within the arrival foyer, which exudes a smart-casual ambiance with a small seating space nestled within the far right-hand nook.

A set of escalators awaits, able to take you as much as the second flooring, which is the place the primary foyer and entrance desk are located.

Throughout the check-in course of, the entrance desk affiliate graciously acknowledged my IHG Diamond standing and confirmed my reservation for a Commonplace Room with Double Mattress, which falls throughout the base-level room class.

With the whole lot in place, I proceeded to the foyer elevators and as much as my assigned room, 1913, situated on the nineteenth flooring.

ANA Crowne Plaza Sapporo – Commonplace Room with Double Mattress

The elevators on the foyer flooring sported an enthralling tree design, with vibrant and vibrant orange tones. Nonetheless, because the visitor room elevators opened, the hallway underwent a shift to a extra subdued ambiance, characterised by gray and white hues.

Upon getting into, there’s a small lobby that results in the bed room. To the left, a small closet provides some space for storing.

The room exudes cleanliness and brightness, with impartial tones and ample pure mild streaming in by way of the window.

These rooms underwent renovation in 2019 and are in glorious situation, though they’re on the smaller facet, which is pretty typical for Japanese lodging.

Positioned alongside the right-hand wall, the double mattress is adorned with an upholstered gray headboard.

Nestled within the room’s right-hand nook, a small chair and facet desk present a comfortable spot. A considerate welcome amenity within the type of Shiroi Koibito biscuits have been positioned right here – one in all my favorite Japanese snacks.

A prolonged desk spans the size of the opposing wall, serving additionally as a platform for a flat-screen TV and a minibar.

Two units of retailers, together with a USB-A charging port, can be found together with the desk. It’s value noting that the room provides a beneficiant array of plugs and retailers, a element that’s at all times appreciated.

Adjoining to the minibar, you’ll discover a set of drawers housing a espresso and tea station with tea luggage, instantaneous espresso, mugs, glasses, and spoons.

Whereas the home windows are pretty giant, the view is restricted to the various nondescript buildings across the block. Nonetheless, this isn’t unusual in Sapporo, because it isn’t significantly famend for its picturesque views.

The toilet is compact and raised barely from the remainder of the room, a attribute usually seen in Japanese design. A gorgeous characteristic wall composed of black marble provides to the ambiance.

To the left is a bathe/tub mixture, whereas the bathroom and a small vainness are positioned on the fitting. Once more, though counter house is restricted and the toilet may really feel considerably comfortable, that is fairly in step with the spatial norms of Japan.

Whereas the room is perhaps on the smaller facet, its intelligent format makes the many of the out there house. The selection of impartial tones and the ample use of pure mild create a comfortable house.

ANA Crowne Plaza Sapporo – Breakfast

Essentially the most exceptional side of this keep was the IHG Diamond breakfast profit, which provides a selection between a buffet on the lodge’s all-day eating venue, MEM, or a set-plate Japanese-style breakfast at Unaki, the Japanese restaurant located on the basement flooring.

The buffet at MEM was extremely complete, and I used to be significantly impressed as I took a go searching.

There have been pastries and contemporary bread accompanied by jams and butter, in addition to a refrigerated part which supplied an array of yogurts and puddings.

Quite a lot of scorching dishes, spanning Japanese and Western favourites, have been out there. Notably, there was stewed pork and Sapporo ramen with a formidable variety of accompaniments. To my shock, the buffet even featured Sapporo’s native specialties, like soup curry.

Among the many different out there choices have been Western classics reminiscent of bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs, hash browns, made-to-order omelettes, and pancakes.

Regardless of the temptation and in depth choices of the buffet, my curiosity led me to the set-plate breakfast choice at Unaki as an alternative, the place I indulged in a Japanese set meal that proved to be equally as appetizing.

ANA Crowne Plaza Sapporo – Eating

ANA Crowne Plaza Sapporo has a complete of six distinct eating places, together with MEM and Unaki.

Situated on the twenty sixth flooring, the very best degree of the lodge, you’ll discover a teppanyaki restaurant often known as Ishikari. The restaurant focuses on Japanese beef and contemporary seafood, ready on an iron plate in entrance of company.

Additionally on the identical flooring is a lounge named Sapporo View. Right here, yow will discover jazz music and cocktails whereas taking within the charming evening scenes.

For these searching for a extra relaxed setting, Café Minamo, located on the primary flooring, serves as a really perfect spot for fast bites. Freshly brewed espresso, tea, a number of freshly baked desserts, and home made bread are on the menu.

On the basement flooring, you’ll discover Kiyohira, a sushi restaurant. This eatery provides a comfortable ambiance the place you possibly can bask in genuine sushi and Japanese dishes.

ANA Crowne Plaza Sapporo, an IHG Lodge – Different Amenities

Throughout my keep, I headed all the way down to the health, which is situated on the lodge’s floor flooring, for a fast exercise.

The health centre is open 24 hours a day and boasts a spacious format. There’s a commendable array of exercise gear, together with power machines, free weights, treadmills, and stationary bikes.

Throughout my keep in March 2023, the health centre nonetheless required reservations, seemingly as a vestige of pandemic-era insurance policies.

Moreover, the lodge homes a wide range of outlets and companies, conveniently situated throughout the premises. There’s a Lawson comfort retailer connected to the lodge, providing a fantastic choice for fast and straightforward bites.

On the primary and basement ranges of the lodge, you’ll additionally discover a pastry boutique, bridal session store, two salons, and a photograph studio.

Conclusion

The ANA Crowne Plaza Sapporo provides a snug and affordably priced keep within the coronary heart of Sapporo. In Japan, whereas residing areas is perhaps extra compact, distinctive cleanliness and repair requirements are not often compromised, as was the case for my keep.

Moreover, the ANA Crowne Plaza Sapporo exceeds expectations by offering not solely cozy rooms but in addition nice remedy of IHG Diamond members. Of explicit be aware is the spectacular breakfast providing, which can be a big draw if deciding to remain right here.

Given the relatively restricted lodge choices in any other case, the ANA Crowne Plaza provides outsized worth in Hokkaido’s largest metropolis, and I wouldn’t thoughts returning for an additional keep sooner or later.