Nest Hotel Sapporo Ekimae

The hotel's exceptional breakfast buffet, particularly its fresh seafood options for custom seafood bowls, stands out as a memorable highlight for many guests. Its prime central location near Sapporo Station and major attractions is consistently praised, making it an ideal choice for sightseers, business travelers, and budget-conscious travelers who prioritize accessibility and a great start to their day. While the hotel is recognized for its affordable pricing, guests frequently note its older facilities. The staff's helpfulness and attentive service are also recurring positive themes, contributing to a pleasant stay for solo travelers and couples who appreciate efficiency. To enhance your stay, be aware that rooms can be smaller, and for those sensitive to odors, it's advisable to inquire about non-smoking room options or bring air fresheners, as some areas may retain a smoke smell.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel offers a range of practical amenities to enhance guest comfort. Rooms are equipped with a refrigerator, and guests appreciate the ability to open windows for ventilation. Disposable slippers and deodorizer spray are provided for hygiene. A thoughtful touch is the availability of various bath salts at the front desk, allowing guests to customize their bathing experience. Essential toiletries like hand soap, shampoo, and conditioner are also supplied. For convenience, a coin laundry facility is on-site, though it can sometimes be busy. While the hotel uses traditional physical keys rather than card keys, guests can leave them at the reception. Parking is available through affiliated lots, with some guests noting the mechanical parking has size limitations. Some guests mentioned the absence of an onsen or large public bath.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guest feedback on cleanliness and room comfort is quite varied. While some guests found their rooms to be clean and the beds comfortable, ensuring a restful sleep, a significant number reported issues. Many reviews highlighted the presence of mold, particularly in the bathrooms around the toilet, shower walls, and even on window shutters and curtains, leading to unpleasant sewage or mildew smells. Some guests also noted dust on surfaces and hair on bedding. The room condition is often described as old or worn, with visible cracks and outdated fixtures. Despite these concerns, the bathrooms are sometimes noted as spacious for a business hotel. Noise levels can be an issue, with some guests experiencing thin walls allowing sounds from adjacent rooms, or duct noise during windy conditions.

Dining & Food Quality
The breakfast buffet is consistently highlighted as a major draw and a standout feature of the hotel, receiving widespread praise for its deliciousness and extensive variety. Guests particularly rave about the seafood options, which include ikura, salmon, sweet shrimp, and tobikko, allowing them to create their own custom seafood bowls. Other popular items include freshly made tempura, a wide array of traditional Japanese dishes, and some Western selections like eggs and sausages. Uniquely, the hotel offers alcohol such as shochu, wine, and Nikka whiskey from the morning, appealing to some guests. While the restaurant can get crowded, leading to potential waiting times for seating, especially during peak hours, the staff generally manages the flow efficiently. Some guests found the hall staff a bit intrusive, but overall, the food quality is considered excellent value.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel boasts an excellent central location, making it highly convenient for both sightseeing and business activities. It is situated within a short walking distance of Sapporo Station (approximately 6-10 minutes) and Odori Station (around 5 minutes), providing easy access to public transportation, including subway lines and airport bus stops. Many popular attractions are also easily accessible on foot, such as the Sapporo Clock Tower, Sapporo TV Tower, Nijo Market, and the entertainment district of Susukino. Guests appreciate being close to numerous restaurants, shopping areas, and convenience stores like Family Mart and 7-Eleven. While the immediate street is generally peaceful, some winter guests noted slippery road conditions outside the hotel. Parking is available through nearby affiliated lots, which offer validated rates for hotel guests.

Staff & Service
The hotel staff consistently receives high praise for their professionalism and attentive service. Guests frequently highlight their helpfulness in various situations, from providing detailed directions to local attractions and assisting with lost items, to efficiently handling requests like replacing a broken refrigerator. The check-in process is generally described as quick and smooth. Many guests noted that staff members are polite, accommodating, and willing to go the extra mile to ensure a comfortable stay. Even when full room cleaning is not opted for, staff diligently replace towels and replenish amenities daily. While most interactions are positive, a few isolated comments mentioned instances where staff were perceived as less accommodating regarding specific requests or lacked warmth, but these appear to be exceptions to the generally positive feedback.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware of the hotel's smoking policy, as while there are designated smoking rooms, the smell of smoke can sometimes be noticeable in common areas like hallways and elevators, and occasionally even in non-smoking rooms. For longer stays, the cleaning policy typically involves daily towel and amenity replacement, but full room cleaning may require a specific request or additional charge, which some guests found surprising. A convenient feature is the self-service amenity station at the front desk, where guests can select items like bath salts and toiletries as needed. During seasonal events, the hotel may offer thoughtful touches, such as New Year's services including plum kombu tea and fortune slips. It is also advisable to arrive early for breakfast to avoid potential waiting lines, especially during peak times. The ability to open room windows for fresh air is a feature appreciated by many.