4-Star Hotels in Hokkaido, Japan

I'd call this unbeatable. First off, the front desk service was truly above and beyond my expectations. It was snowing heavily, and the bellhop was still waiting outside for guests to arrive, helping with luggage. The outdoor private onsen in the room was also exceptional; the view and atmosphere were incredible. The breakfast, with its unbeatable ocean view, topped it all off. I had a wonderful day in Hakodate!

The hotel offers complimentary alcoholic beverages daily. The breakfast is quite good, especially with the wide variety of milk options. The room is spacious and very new. The only downside is that the parking lot is a bit far, so I recommend dropping off your luggage first before parking, as dragging it through the snow in winter can be a hassle. The hotel is close to Kitanomine Ski Resort, and there's a shuttle bus available in the morning.

房間超大，有室內浸浴，景觀一流，設施齊備，若住Executive Suit,可以免費享用lounge 內小食和飲品，酒也是無限飲用。自助餐食物美味，款式多。娛樂設施有驚喜，有乒乓球打，有夾公仔機，可以打機，是迷利版的Gigo。商店購物種類多，有好小朋友玩具賣。露天風呂看到雪山景，體驗到一邊浸温泉，一邊大風雪吹在面上。就算不是露天，室內的風呂也有好美的雪山景觀看。有穿梭巴士送到札幌，非常好。雖然房價不便宜，但物有所值。

Booked two rooms for our last night in Sapporo before catching a flight the next day. For a few extra hundred yuan, we were upgraded to larger rooms at the front desk, which was great value for money, and the hotel felt very new. However, the bathroom in one of the rooms seemed like it hadn't been cleaned – the hairdryer cord wasn't tidied, the toilet paper wasn't folded into a triangle, and the stainless steel showerhead and mirror were full of water stains. Apart from the cleaning issue, we were quite satisfied with the room facilities.

I absolutely love Hanabishi Hotel — I had the best 2-night stay here. The hotel is quiet with no large tour groups, and I really enjoyed the traditional feel and relaxing vibes. I tried all of their room types, and my favorite is the futon room with a private onsen. The futon is very comfortable, and the room itself is incredibly spacious. The staff are friendly and helpful, even assisting me with arranging taxi service. The location is convenient, only about a 10-minute drive from Hakodate Airport. I also loved both the breakfast buffet and the dinner set — they truly pampered me like I was the queen of the world. The public onsen is beautiful and huge. I will forever choose to stay here whenever I’m in the area.

The hotel is certainly up to the standard and conveniently located right by the cruise tour for whale watching. Price I paid is on par with the service received. Nothing to critique about the buffet and they are cooked to order. What I really like the most is their lounge with many drinks and snacks options available and I am quite surprised in a good way about that. Only thing I would suggest is, for those who want more privacy in the bath, book yourself a room with private onsen as the open air public bath is rather small and can be filled up very quickly. Having an onsen in the room can resolve this issue completely. The seafood don in the breakfast is very good and nothing to complaint. I would certainly come back next time in the winter.

This was the best hotel of our trip. From check-in to check-out, we felt the warmth and saw the smiles of the staff throughout. The included dinner was delicious and exquisite. The set breakfast was also pretty good. The hotel offers a variety of entertainment activities and facilities, so you won't get bored at all, and the environment is beautiful. The only downside is that the soundproofing isn't great; you can hear doors opening and closing from upstairs and next door.

Tabino Hotel Ishikari (旅之酒店石狩) is a relatively new hotel that opened in late 2025, and it quickly became one of my favorite stops during my Hokkaido trip. Located in Ishikari City, it’s about a 15–20 minute drive from central Sapporo areas like Hokkaido University or Odori Park, making it a smart choice for those who want easy access to the city without staying right in the busy downtown. One of the first things that struck me was the massive parking lot—it’s a spacious, flat, free parking area with plenty of spots, even for larger vehicles (though larger ones might need prior arrangement). No stress about circling for a space or paying extra fees, which is a huge plus for self-drive travelers in Hokkaido. The room felt pleasantly spacious compared to many budget or business hotels in Japan. I could fully open my suitcase, unpack comfortably, and still have plenty of room to move around. All rooms come equipped with handy in-room amenities like a washing machine, microwave, and fridge, which are great for longer stays or if you want to heat up snacks. The surroundings are remarkably quiet and peaceful, giving that relaxing escape-from-the-city vibe, especially at night. Yet, convenience is never compromised—there’s a 24-hour convenience store (like a 7-Eleven) just a 1-minute walk away, perfect for grabbing late-night snacks, drinks, breakfast items, or anything you need without driving. It’s such a thoughtful location balance. One of the biggest highlights is the on-site hot spring facility. The large public bath uses an artificial onsen inspired by Noboribetsu’s Shirakaba-no-Yu (white birch hot spring), with milky, smooth water that’s incredibly soothing after a day of driving or sightseeing. There’s also a sauna, making it easy to unwind and recharge right at the hotel—no need to hunt for external onsens. Cleanliness is top-notch throughout the property. Everything from the lobby and corridors to the rooms and bath areas felt spotless and well-maintained, with fresh linens and no lingering odors. It’s clear the staff takes pride in keeping the place immaculate. Overall, Tabino Hotel Ishikari offers excellent value: comfortable, feature-packed rooms, unbeatable parking convenience, that perfect mix of tranquility and nearby 24/7 shopping, plus the bonus of relaxing in the hot springs without leaving the hotel. It’s ideal for self-drive explorers, families, or anyone wanting a peaceful yet practical base near Sapporo. I’d definitely stay here again on future trips!

The traditional tatami room truly impressed us, but the highlight of our stay was the open-air private sulphur onsen in our room. It was incredibly therapeutic, and I absolutely loved the natural sulphur scent that filled the space—it made the experience feel authentic and deeply relaxing. A heartfelt shoutout to the staff for their exceptional hospitality. From the warm welcome upon arrival to assisting with our luggage and thoughtfully preparing our beds, every detail was handled with care. They were genuinely kind and attentive throughout our stay. Although the hotel is quite old, we appreciated it as part of its vintage charm. It feels like a place rich with history and stories, which adds a unique character you don’t often find in modern hotels. The 7-course kaiseki dinner completely blew us away. From the exquisite plating to the impeccable service, every dish reflected the chef’s dedication and craftsmanship. Even breakfast exceeded our expectations. While described as a buffet, the beautifully presented bento-style offerings along with the comforting soup-based dishes were both satisfying and delicious. Yes, the price is on the higher side, but it is absolutely worth every penny we spent.

The room was decent, clean, and the breakfast was absolutely fantastic. It was the best breakfast I had among all the hotels I stayed at during my 16-day self-guided trip in Japan. There was a young man at the front desk who spoke Chinese, and his service was excellent; he explained all the details clearly. Breakfast was served in two separate restaurants, one Japanese and one Western, and both were great. We chose the Japanese breakfast, but I peeked into the Western one afterward, and it looked just as abundant.