Richmond Hotel Sapporo Odori

This hotel is highly regarded for its exceptional location, offering direct access to the Tanukikoji shopping street and the underground shopping network, making it a prime choice for sightseers, shoppers, and food enthusiasts who appreciate convenience, especially during winter. Guests consistently praise the hotel's excellent breakfast buffet, the overall cleanliness of the rooms, and the generally attentive service provided by the staff. For families and business travelers, the hotel's central position simplifies navigating the city and accessing various attractions. To maximize your stay, consider utilizing the direct underground connections to explore the city comfortably, and be sure to experience the highly acclaimed breakfast.

Facilities & Amenities
Guests appreciate the convenience of the hotel's self-service amenity station located at the reception, where they can pick up items such as face masks, bath salts, tea bags, and coffee. Many reviews highlight the generous free welcome drinks, including both alcoholic and soft beverages, available for guests. The hotel also provides a coin laundry facility, which is a significant convenience for longer stays, and air purifiers are available in the rooms. While some guests noted the absence of water bottles in the rooms and a coffee machine in the lobby, and found some facilities to be a bit dated, the overall range of amenities is considered beneficial, though a lack of modern USB charging ports was occasionally mentioned.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
The hotel generally receives positive feedback for its cleanliness and the overall comfort of its rooms. Many guests found the beds comfortable and the rooms adequately spacious, contributing to a relaxing stay. The air conditioning is effective, ensuring a pleasant indoor climate. However, some guests reported a persistent smoke odor in designated smoking rooms, even with air purifiers. There were also mentions of noise levels from adjacent rooms or ongoing construction outside, impacting sleep for some. A few reviews pointed out minor maintenance issues, such as frayed towels, a broken shower head, a dirty humidifier tank, or an unpleasant smell in the bathroom, indicating occasional lapses in upkeep or thoroughness.

Dining & Food Quality
The breakfast buffet is a standout feature, consistently receiving high praise for its extensive variety and exceptional quality. Guests particularly enjoyed the array of local Hokkaido specialties available, including made-to-order pork bowl, miso ramen, and soup curry. The buffet also features fresh sushi, crispy tempura, diverse seafood bowls, and local delights like Zangi. Many reviews highlighted the deliciousness of the food, with some considering it among the best hotel breakfasts in the region. While the food quality is widely lauded, a few guests experienced less than ideal staff interactions at the breakfast venue, which slightly detracted from an otherwise excellent dining experience.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's central location is a major draw, offering direct access to the vibrant Tanukikoji shopping street, which is filled with numerous shops and restaurants. Guests appreciate being within easy walking distance of the Susukino entertainment district and the Odori area, including attractions like the Sapporo TV Tower and Nijo Market. Its proximity to subway stations and the underground shopping street (Pole Town) provides convenient, weather-protected access to various parts of the city, including the main train station. The presence of a Don Quijote store and 7-Eleven nearby adds to the convenience. While parking is available, it is off-site and can be expensive, which some guests noted as a minor inconvenience.

Staff & Service
The hotel staff generally receives high praise for being friendly, helpful, and polite, contributing significantly to a positive guest experience. Many guests highlighted the attentive service provided, from the quick check-in process to staff members accommodating specific requests, such as providing a traditional yukata as an alternative to pajamas. However, feedback on staff interactions was occasionally mixed; some guests reported less than ideal encounters with specific breakfast staff or rigid policies regarding requests like extra towels. There were also isolated comments about occasional slow check-in processes, particularly with trainees, and minor issues with luggage handling, though overall, the staff's dedication to service is frequently commended.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware that there is ongoing construction near the hotel, which some reviews mentioned could lead to noise disturbances or obstructed room views. The hotel implements a housekeeping policy where full room cleaning occurs every three days for longer stays, though trash bins are emptied and fresh towels are provided daily. A unique touch mentioned by guests is the availability of a yukata as an alternative to standard pajamas, which some found to be a thoughtful and comfortable option. These details, while not fitting into other categories, contribute to the overall guest experience and are worth noting for potential visitors.