Sapporo Susukino Gem: 5-Min Walk, Amazing Room MD1103!
Sapporo Susukino Gem: MD1103 - My Brain's Aftermath (and You Might Dig It)
Okay, buckle up, folks. This isn't your typical hotel review. This is… well, it's me, post-stay, wrestling with all the feels and trying to make sense of the Sapporo Susukino Gem: 5-Min Walk, Amazing Room MD1103! experience. And honestly, my brain is still swirling from all the ramen-fueled adventures.
First Impressions, or "The Five-Minute Walk That Actually Took Me Seven"
So, accessibility. Yup, it's true. Five minutes to the Susukino entertainment district really is five minutes. Unless, you know, you're me, and you get distracted by every neon sign, every tempting izakaya promising the perfect sake. The location itself? Spot on. Perfectly positioned to dive headfirst into Sapporo's nightlife (more on THAT later… much, much more). And getting to the hotel? Totally easy. Didn’t need an airport transfer (though they offer it, which is a nice touch), the train was a breeze, and the hotel was ridiculously easy to find. Bonus points for a well-lit exterior – helped me not walk into a snowdrift, which I almost did.
The Room: MD1103 - (My Sanctuary, Mostly)
Let’s talk MD1103! The "Amazing Room" part? Yeah, they weren't kidding. Honestly, the room was a freaking sanctuary. A clean, bright, oasis of calm in the middle of a city that pulses with energy. I mean, Cleanliness and safety was clearly a priority, which, let me tell you, after a long flight and a pandemic? MASSIVELY appreciated. They're taking this seriously with Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Rooms sanitized between stays, and the fact that Staff trained in safety protocol made me feel comfy enough to breathe.
- Available in all rooms: Air conditioning (hallelujah! Needed this after a day of trekking around), Alarm clock (for those early starts – which I…uh…missed a few of), Bathrobes (yes, luxury!), Bathroom phone (useful for calling room service… which I also did, more times than I'd like to admit), Bathtub (perfect for soaking those sore (and tipsy) muscles), Blackout curtains (SLEEP IS KING!), Carpeting (lovely, wasn't expecting that!), Closet (always a must!), Coffee/tea maker (essential!), Complimentary tea (more tea!), Daily housekeeping (bliss!), Desk (for the few emails I actually answered), Extra long bed (thank the heavens!), Free bottled water (hydration is key!), Hair dryer (saved me from a frizzy disaster), High floor (loved the view!), In-room safe box (for my passport and dignity), Internet access – LAN (for the techies, though I stuck to Wi-Fi), Internet access – wireless (Wi-Fi [free] – worked perfectly!), Ironing facilities (wrinkles? Never heard of 'em!), Laptop workspace (worked great, I didn't use it tho'), Linens (beautiful!), Mini bar (tempting!), Mirror (for checking if the ramen stains were visible), Non-smoking (huge plus!), On-demand movies (great for late-night chilling), Private bathroom (duh!), Reading light (I could actually read!), Refrigerator (for keeping those Sapporo beers freezing), Safety/security feature (always good), Satellite/cable channels (options!), Scale (yikes!), Seating area (nice!), Separate shower/bathtub (fancy!), Shower (loved it!), Slippers (comfort!), Smoke detector (safety!), Socket near the bed (crucial for phone charging), Sofa (comfy!), Soundproofing (needed this for all the karaoke I didn't do), Telephone (old school!), Toiletries (smelling like luxury is always a plus!), Towels (fluffy!), Umbrella (because Sapporo weather), Visual alarm (for those with needs I don’t have now), Wake-up service (a bit more on that later), Window that opens (fresh air!)
The room REALLY made me feel comfortable, it was an actual sanctuary.
Internet: The Lifeline (And Maybe a Minor Headache)
Internet - Wi-Fi [free] was a lifesaver! I mean, how did we survive before easily available internet? I didn't touch Internet access – LAN even once, I just did it all on Wi-Fi, it worked perfectly! I had access to Internet access – wireless and I used it heavily. It also covered Wi-Fi in public areas. I managed to go through a lot of GB just streaming. Internet services - Not applicable.
Food & Drinks: Ramen, Sushi, and Maybe a Little Too Much Sake
Listen, I went to Sapporo to eat. And boy, did I eat. The hotel itself has:
- Dining, drinking, and snacking: A la carte in restaurant, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water (essential!), Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour (my weakness), International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour] (thank you, angels!), Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant
The Breakfast [buffet] was actually really good, I didn't use the the Breakfast takeaway service because I needed to eat, and then go again. Plus, the Coffee/tea in restaurant to get my energy up. Definitely felt like a proper start to the day. The Room service [24-hour] was incredibly (and dangerously) convenient. Let's just say I may or may not have ordered late-night ramen… multiple times. I tried the Happy hour, I recommend that. They have lots of good food like Soup in restaurant, Salad in restaurant, and the Desserts in restaurant. They have an Asian breakfast and Asian cuisine in restaurant that I skipped because I had to go outside and eat, but it looked yummy.
I can't vouch for Alternative meal arrangement because I didn't need any, but I'm sure they're open to it.
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: Did not use.
Services and Conveniences: Making Life Easier (and Me Lazier)
The Gem really thought of everything. Services and conveniences were all on point:
- Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge (helpful!), Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store (hello, midnight snacks!), Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator (thank goodness!), Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center
I didn’t get to use all of them. I liked Concierge and Daily housekeeping. Everything else was great as well tho.
For the Kids (And the Inner Child in Us All)
I don’t have kids, but the hotel has Family/child friendly options, including Babysitting service and Kids meal.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Spa Day? Yes, Please! (Maybe Too Much)
Okay, so this is where the Gem truly shines. The Spa facilities are amazing! The Gym/fitness was actually amazing. They have a Pool with view, Sauna, and Steamroom! I spent a concerning amount of time basking in the Spa/sauna and Steamroom… I was able to get to the Swimming pool [outdoor] and relax.
I didn't get to use Body scrub or Body wrap.
Accessibility: Making Everyone Welcome (Important Stuff)
- Wheelchair accessible - Great!
- Accessibility - It matters!
Payment & Safety: Feeling Secure
They had Cashless payment service, always a plus. They had CCTV in common areas, helpful for safety.
Getting Around: Easy Peasy
- Airport transfer (nice touch!)
- Bicycle parking
- Car park [free of charge] and Car park [on-site] - I didn't drive, but good to know.
- Car power charging station - nice!
- Taxi service
- Valet parking
**My "A
Ho Chi Minh City's DREAM PENTHOUSE: 190sqm of Luxury You WON'T Believe!
Alright, buckle up, Buttercup, because you're about to get a taste of MY Sapporo trip, meticulously planned and… well, let's just say "ad-libbed" as things went along. We're talking Room MD1103, that little bastion of comfort near Susukino Station, and let's pretend I've got this all under control. (Spoiler alert: I don't.)
Day 1: Arrival, Ramen, and a Panic Attack… in the Best Way Possible (Probably)
14:00 - Arrival at MD1103 (Hopefully, Keyless Entry Works!): Okay, so first things first, pray to the travel gods the Airbnb keyless entry is actually… keyless. My track record with technology is abysmal. Imagine the drama if I’m locked out and end up looking like a lunatic in the Sapporo snow, flailing at a door. shudders Once inside, breathe. Unpack. Marvel at the glorious view (or lack thereof – let's be realistic; it's probably another building’s air conditioning unit). Gotta assess the ramen stash, and… where’s the damn wifi password??
15:00 – Food Hunting, aka Ramen Revelation, the Hunt for the Best… and a Slight Crisis: Let's be brutally honest: I came to Sapporo for the ramen. I've been drooling over pictures for months. Armed with my trusty (and probably outdated) Lonely Planet guide, I’m heading out to the nearest ramen joint. The guide suggested Ichigen’s miso ramen.
- The ramen itself? HOLY. CRAP. The broth was a symphony of umami, the noodles perfectly chewy, the pork… oh god, the pork. I could probably eat an entire pig after that.
- Post Ramen, the emotional rollercoaster: Oh, and then there’s the post-ramen emotional overload. I was a blubbering mess. Tears streaming down my face, not from sadness, but from pure, unadulterated joy. I hadn’t eaten food that genuinely touched my soul in… well, a while. Is this what "peak experience" feels like?
- Ramen, the true gateway drug: After that, I felt more alive than ever. I decided to ditch the "careful, pre-planned itinerary" and bought some random sweets and snacks at a 7-Eleven.
18:00 – Susukino Exploration (Getting Lost… Lovingly): Alright, Susukino. The red-light district. Let's be real, I’m probably going to wind up wandering aimlessly, getting thoroughly lost and maybe accidentally stumbling into a hostess bar (I'm kidding. Unless?). My map-reading skills are legendary… in their complete lack of effectiveness. The goal is to soak up the atmosphere, maybe grab a beer, and… well, wing it. See some giant neon signs. Wonder what everyone else is doing. Judge. Admire. Judge.
- The Unintended Lesson in Japanese Etiquette: I nearly knocked over a group of salarymen, their faces already flushed from a long day. My clumsiness and the resulting apologetic bow (probably too deep) elicited a chorus of giggles and "it's okay's." I felt like a giant, bumbling Midwesterner, and that’s probably exactly what I was.
21:00 – Back to MD1103 and Netflix… or, you know, Attempt Sleep: Exhausted, overwhelmed, and full of ramen, I’ll crawl back to the promised land of MD1103. The promise of a hot shower, a (hopefully) functioning television, and a desperate attempt at sleep before the sensory overload starts again tomorrow. Will I actually sleep? Probably not. Gonna be replaying that ramen experience in my head.
Day 2: Snow, Sapporo Beer, and the Price of a Good View… and a Moment of Quiet
9:00 - Breakfast (If I Can Find It – Seriously, Why is it always so hard to find breakfast?!?): Okay, breakfast: the eternal traveler's struggle. Hopefully, there's a decent bakery nearby. Or maybe I can raid a convenience store. Failing that, I might just start eating ramen for breakfast. No judgement.
10:00 - Sapporo Snow Festival… Kinda (or, My Failed Attempt at Art Appreciation): Okay, the Snow Festival will be partially over. But who am I kidding? I will probably wander. I'm picturing giant snow sculptures. I'm picturing throngs of people. I'm picturing me getting hopelessly lost amidst said throngs. Is it worth it? ABSOLUTELY.
- The Emotional Impact of Snow (or, Why My Heart Smashed a Little): The sheer artistry. The effort. The ephemerality of it all. Made me tear up. Again. The snow was falling. The sculptures were breathtaking. The crowd was… well, let's just say it added to the chaotic charm.
13:00 - Sapporo Beer Garden (the Clichéd But Required Experience): Sapporo Beer Garden. Because, duh. Giant vats of beer. Grilled meat. The happy buzz of tourists and locals alike. It's a cliché, but I am here for it. I have a feeling I will not leave sober. And frankly, I don’t care.
- A Conversation with a Stranger: Ended up chatting with a local salaryman (the ramen-induced confidence boost was STRONG). Learned more about Sapporo's history than I ever thought I would. Turns out, getting lost and getting tipsy is a great conversation starter.
17:00 - Sapporo TV Tower… or something to get a view: The TV Tower. Supposedly, good views. Might be closed. Might be crowded. I'll probably take a selfie.
19:00 – Dinner in Susukino (again!) and people watching: Back to Susukino. Perhaps exploring some other parts of the area, and eating another great meal.
22:00 - Back to MD1103… and the Reality Check: The day will probably end the same way: shower, Netflix, and a desperate attempt to get my act together for tomorrow. Maybe I'll actually write down my thoughts in a journal. Or maybe I'll just fall asleep, dreaming of ramen and snow sculptures and the kindness of strangers.
Day 3 and Beyond: The Unknown… and the Promise of More Ramen
This itinerary? It’s more of a suggestion. A jumping-off point. The only thing I know for sure is that I’m in Japan, I’m near Susukino, and I'm probably going to stumble into something unforgettable (or at least incredibly embarrassing). And, let's be honest, the best thing about traveling is the unexpected. The surprises. The moments that make you stop and think, "Wow. This is actually happening." The rest? Well, that’s just the messy, glorious, human part. And I wouldn't have it any other way. Oh, and I'm definitely going to hunt down more ramen. Maybe even try going for round 2 in Ichigen. Wish me luck. And pray for my liver. And maybe, just maybe, someone will leave a helpful note for me in the Airbnb about where to find good breakfast. Pretty please?
Escape to Enchanting Schonach: Zum Kuckuck's Black Forest Magic!
Sapporo Susukino Gem: MD1103 – The Raw Truth (and Messy Feelings)
Okay, seriously... is this "MD1103" place *actually* a 5-minute walk from Susukino? 'Cause I'm getting tired of lies.
Look, here's the deal. Five minutes? Maybe... if you're Usain Bolt on amphetamines, carrying a ridiculously light suitcase. Realistically? Ten. Ten glorious, slightly-out-of-breath minutes. And that's assuming you don’t get distracted. Because Susukino is *packed* with distractions. Think neon lights, ramen smells that could make you weep, and the siren song of karaoke bars. I got sidetracked ONCE, ended up ordering a plate of gyoza, and then completely forgot where I was going. So, yeah, prepare for more than five minutes. It's an adventure, not a sprint.
The room... is it actually "amazing?" Because "amazing" gets thrown around a lot, usually about things that are, well, not.
Okay, “amazing” is subjective. But… yeah. MD1103... it *is* pretty damn good. It’s not the Ritz, mind you. It’s more like… a really comfortable, well-loved, slightly quirky apartment. The kind where you could actually imagine living. I remember opening the door and thinking, "Huh. Actually, this smells… clean." And the view? Not the Eiffel Tower, but a perfectly decent city view. I, for one, spent a solid hour just staring out the window, contemplating the meaning of life (and maybe which ramen place to hit up). The only "amazing" thing I found was that it was *exactly* the kind of place I needed. Comfortable, functional, and quiet enough to catch up on some of those much needed zzz's.
What about the downsides? There *have* to be some, right? Come on, don't sugarcoat it!
Alright, alright. Here's the truth. The bathroom? Compact. Think "efficient" more than "lavish spa experience." And the elevator? It's... well, it's there. But it creaks. A lot. I was convinced it was going to eat me alive one morning and leave me in a pile of rusty metal. Seriously, I'd take the stairs if I'd known. The air conditioning? A little unpredictable – sometimes freezing you out of the room, other times letting you sweat because it was broken and the humidity was so high. And... (deep sigh) the internet. It was, at times, a temperamental beast. Perfect for sending emails, but uploading a video? Forget it. It's a building of character, let's just say that.
Okay, I heard a *rumor*... that the mattress is... *firm*. Is this true? My back doesn't do "firm."
Oh, honey. The mattress. Okay, I need to be very honest here. It's... firm. Like, "sleeping on a well-loved wooden plank" firm. Maybe even "sleeping on a freshly paved road" firm. I have a bad back. This was a problem. I felt like a medieval knight testing out his new armour every morning. It was tough. I seriously considered buying a foam topper. In the end, I managed with a mountain of pillows and strategic contortion. But if you're sensitive? Bring your own mattress pad. Trust me. It's a necessary investment in your spine's well-being.
What about noise? Susukino is… lively, to put it mildly. Will I get any sleep?
Susukino is a party. 24/7, baby. So, yes, you'll hear things. You'll hear laughter, shouting, karaoke – especially karaoke, which I developed a begrudging respect for despite the off-key renditions late at night. MD1103 isn't soundproof, but it's surprisingly well-insulated. I'm a light sleeper, and I managed to get some decent shut-eye. I just had to invest in some good earplugs. And maybe a small shrine dedicated to the gods of sleep. You know, just in case.
Details! Kitchen? Washing machine? Hair dryer? The Essentials!
Okay, the kitchen is more of a kitchenette. Small, but functional. You'll have a fridge, a microwave, and a hot plate. Don't expect to whip up a Michelin-star meal, but you can definitely handle breakfast and maybe some simple dinners. The washing machine? Yes! And a bonus! (Though, I can't lie, I got a little confused with the instruction manual, and my favorite shirt may or may not have shrunk to the size of a child's garment. Don't make my mistake! Read the instructions.) And yes, there's a hairdryer. One that, thankfully, didn't spontaneously combust on me. This building… it has history.
Would you stay there again? Be honest!
Honestly? Absolutely. Despite the firm mattress (oh, the firm mattress!), the creaky elevator of doom, and the sometimes-dodgy internet... I would. Because of the location. The convenient location. The *vibe*. The fact that it felt a little… real. It wasn't sterile or impersonal. It had character. And the memories? (Even with the gyoza detour.) Totally worth it. I'd recommend it. Just… you know… pack a pillow for your back. And earplugs. And maybe a hazmat suit for the elevator. But seriously, MD1103? Yeah, I'd go back. And I'd probably spend the first hour staring out the window, trying to figure out where to get the best ramen.
