karaksa hotel Sapporo

The hotel offers an exceptionally convenient urban stay, highlighted by its direct access to the bustling Tanukikoji shopping street and a welcoming public bath that provides a relaxing retreat after a day of exploration. Guests consistently praise the hotel's prime location, its overall cleanliness, the comfortable beds, and the consistently friendly staff. The inviting lounge area on the second floor is a particular favorite, offering complimentary refreshments. This hotel is an excellent fit for families due to its connecting room options and kid-friendly amenities, sightseers and shoppers who will appreciate the central location and easy access to attractions and retail, and business travelers benefiting from convenient transit links. To enhance your stay, utilize the hotel's direct access to the shopping street for unparalleled convenience, and consider visiting the public bath during off-peak hours for a more serene experience.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel features a popular public bath or onsen, which guests find clean, modern, and a relaxing way to unwind after a day of exploring. However, some guests note that the bath can become quite small and crowded during peak hours, and there are occasional comments about water cleanliness or temperature. The second-floor lounge is a significant highlight, offering free drinks, snacks, and ice cream, creating a cozy and welcoming space for guests to relax, particularly appreciated by families. While some guests found that complimentary items could run out later in the evening, the overall sentiment is positive. Connecting rooms are a notable advantage for families or larger groups, providing ample spaciousness. The coin laundry facilities are available, but the dryers are frequently reported as inefficient, requiring extended drying times and numerous coins, with the limited number of machines often leading to long wait times. Parking is available but is often described as expensive and can be full, sometimes necessitating the use of off-site options. Thoughtful in-room amenities like humidifiers and ReFa hairdryers are also appreciated.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests consistently praise the hotel's high standards of cleanliness, describing rooms as spotless and well-maintained. While generally considered small by Western standards, many guests acknowledge this as typical for Japanese hotels. However, some found rooms to be a tight squeeze, especially for three or more people or with multiple large suitcases, noting a lack of space to lay out luggage. Conversely, connecting rooms are highlighted as being notably spacious. The beds are frequently described as very comfortable, often featuring extra-large or semi-double configurations, ensuring a restful sleep. A recurring concern is noise from adjacent rooms, the lobby, or corridors, suggesting thin walls. Many rooms have small or opaque windows that cannot be opened, leading to a lack of natural light or views. Rooms feature a convenient separate toilet and shower area, with some guests appreciating the spaciousness of the bathroom, though a few noted a lack of hooks for towels or clothes. Guests appreciate the provision of pajamas or lounge wear, fresh towels, and water bottles daily.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel's breakfast receives mixed but generally positive feedback. Many guests praise its variety and deliciousness, highlighting options like fresh seafood (including ikura, salmon, and amaebi), congee, and beef curry. It is often seen as good value for the spread offered. However, the dining area can become very crowded, leading to long lines and wait times, especially during peak hours. Some guests found the rice too soft or the overall selection to be average, while a few noted limited Muslim-friendly options. Despite these points, the attentive staff in the dining area are often commended for their service.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's central location is consistently lauded as a major highlight, placing guests directly in the heart of the city's vibrant shopping and entertainment districts. Its direct access to the Tanukikoji shopping street via a back entrance is a significant convenience, allowing guests to easily explore numerous shops, restaurants, and pharmacies without venturing far. The hotel is conveniently located within a short walk to Susukino Station and offers easy access to Odori Station and Sapporo JR Station via underground walkways, which are particularly appreciated during winter. The airport bus stop is exceptionally close, often just a minute's walk from the hotel's rear exit, making arrivals and departures very smooth. Guests find it easy to walk to popular attractions like Odori Park and various dining establishments, including the Ramen Alley and Mega Don Quijote. The area is generally considered safe and bustling.

Staff & Service
The staff consistently receive high praise for being exceptionally friendly, helpful, and attentive. Many guests highlight their willingness to go above and beyond to assist with requests and provide local recommendations. The presence of English-speaking and Korean-speaking staff is frequently mentioned as a significant advantage, facilitating smooth communication and a more comfortable stay for international visitors. The check-in process is described as quick and efficient, contributing to a positive first impression. While full room cleaning is not performed daily, guests appreciate that fresh towels and water bottles are provided regularly. Staff are also commended for assisting with luggage sending and offering thoughtful gestures like heating pads during colder weather.

Additional Information
The coin laundry service is available, but guests frequently report that the dryers are inefficient, requiring extended drying times and a significant number of coins. The limited number of machines (typically two) often leads to long waiting times for availability. While parking is offered, it is often described as expensive and can be full, necessitating the use of off-site lots that may be inconveniently located or difficult to access. Guests with larger vehicles may find the mechanical parking challenging. The second-floor lounge, while generally praised, has had mixed feedback regarding massage chairs, with some guests noting they were no longer available despite being advertised. The lounge also provides umbrellas for guest use, a thoughtful touch. Some guests noted a lack of wardrobe space, with only a clothes rack provided, which can be insufficient for winter attire. Guests should be aware that full room cleaning is not performed daily, but fresh towels and water are provided.