Route-Inn Grantia Saromako

I have lived 10 minutes from this hotel for the past four years, but other than some visits to the public bath and inside the lobby, and up to the viewing deck, this is the first time I have actually stayed here. My wife and I stayed in a Japanese style room and my parents and young sister stayed in a Western/Japanese style room (wayoshitsu). First, let me say that my parents, on their first trip ever outside of the US, were very pleased with the buffet breakfast. The food was all very fresh and even some of the items that you wouldn't find in America, such as the salad bar or the grilled scallops, were happily eaten. And the public bath was my opportunity to introduce the wonderful world of Japanese onsens to my father for the first time (tip - it's very easy to smuggle beer down into the outdoor bath!) As for the facility itself, there is no doubt that it is aging, and seems ridiculously large considering the location. It was built during an era of bubble-induced craziness and no one seemed to consider what might actually be sustainable. However, the location itself, from a scenic point of view, is wonderful. The only problem is that there are zero restaurants or shops or anything open after 6pm unless you drive the 15 minutes into Saroma. Overall, I think this hotel offers a nice location for those touring Hokkaido by car or bike and on a moderate budget - our room with breakfast was 12,000 yen for two people. For single travelers or those looking for nightlife, look elsewhere. But if you want a comfortable and friendly hotel with good service and a scenic location in the north of Hokkaido, this one fits the bill.