Ys Asahikawa-ekimae

This hotel stands out for its exceptional location, being directly adjacent to JR Asahikawa Station and the bus terminal, offering unparalleled convenience for public transport users and making it an ideal base for sightseers exploring the region. Its signature feature is the top-floor public bath and sauna, providing a relaxing retreat after a day of travel or activities. The hotel is well-suited for business travelers due to its accessibility and amenities, and families appreciate the spacious rooms and thoughtful touches like a children's play area. Guests consistently commend the hotel's cleanliness, comfortable accommodations, and the generally helpful staff. To enhance your stay, consider taking advantage of the complimentary drinks and ice cream available in the lobby, and utilize the convenient self-service laundry facilities.

Facilities & Amenities
Guests highly value the hotel's comprehensive facilities, particularly the public bath and sauna located on the top floor, which many describe as a perfect way to relax. The hotel provides free Wi-Fi that is consistently fast and reliable. Thoughtful amenities include microwaves on each floor for guest convenience, and a lobby area offering complimentary coffee, tea, soft drinks, and even popsicles, which are much appreciated. There is also a manga corner for leisure. While the hotel has three elevators, some guests noted that they can be slow or insufficient during peak times, leading to occasional waits. Rooms are equipped with a 32-inch TV and high-quality in-room amenities.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
The hotel receives consistent praise for its cleanliness and the overall comfort of its rooms. Many guests found the double and twin rooms to be spacious for Japanese standards, offering ample room to move around and open luggage. The beds are described as comfortable and long, ensuring a restful night's sleep, complemented by high-quality linens. Some rooms offer pleasant views of the station square, parkland, or train tracks. While the hotel is very close to the station and bus terminal, rooms are generally quiet, allowing for undisturbed rest. However, a few guests reported a persistent musty odor in their rooms, and some found the unit bathrooms to be small or noted issues like a moldy shower curtain or noisy plumbing.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel's breakfast buffet is a highlight for many guests, offering a good variety of delicious options, including local Hokkaido specialties. Popular items include Hokkaido salmon roe, Asahikawa soy ramen, soup curry, zangi, and freshly steamed Hokkaido vegetables. Guests also enjoyed the fresh salad, local rice, and desserts like Hokkaido melon jelly and pudding. The coffee served at breakfast is also well-regarded. While the breakfast is generally praised for its quality and selection, some guests staying for extended periods found the menu to be repetitive, and a few noted that the Western breakfast options were somewhat limited, especially for children.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's central location is its most frequently praised attribute, situated literally steps away from JR Asahikawa Station and the bus terminal. This makes it incredibly convenient for accessing public transportation, including buses to the airport and Asahiyama Zoo. An Aeon Mall with numerous dining options and a food court is directly across the street, accessible without needing an umbrella. Various restaurants, shops, a drug store, and convenience stores like Lawson are also within easy walking distance. Parking is available in a multi-story car park behind the hotel for an additional fee, which some guests found a bit difficult to locate initially due to unclear signage, though it offers in-and-out privileges with validation.

Staff & Service
The staff at the hotel are consistently described as friendly, kind, helpful, and polite, contributing significantly to a positive guest experience. Guests appreciate their attentiveness and willingness to assist with various requests, including providing detailed explanations for bus routes and local apps. The check-in process is generally quick and efficient. Housekeeping is also commended for its thoroughness. However, some guests experienced less positive interactions, noting that staff could be perceived as abrupt or strict regarding certain policies, such as late check-out fees. There were also isolated incidents where guests felt staff did not adequately address concerns regarding overcrowding or adherence to rules in the public bath.

Additional Information
For guests staying multiple nights, the hotel offers a beneficial opt-out cleaning service where declining daily room cleaning can be exchanged for complimentary beverages, such as bottled water or beer. The hotel prioritizes guest safety with robust elevator security, requiring key card access to guest room floors, ensuring only registered guests can access these areas. While the public bath is a major draw, guests should be aware of specific policies, such as age restrictions for children in gender-segregated baths, which some found problematic in practice. The hotel also provides umbrellas in rooms, a thoughtful touch for unexpected weather.