Sapporo Susukino Getaway: Room MD1201 - 5-Minute Walk to the Action!
Okay, buckle up buttercup, because we're diving headfirst into the Sapporo Susukino Getaway: Room MD1201 - 5-Minute Walk to the Action! I'm not just writing a review, I'm living it again, in my head. And let me tell you, after a trip to a place like Susukino, you need to relive it. It's a sensory overload in the best way. So, here we go, warts and all:
First Impressions (and the Immediate Panic of Arrival)
Okay, so "5-minute walk to the action" is LEGIT. I was worried it was hotel-speak for "15 minutes if you run." Nope. You stumble out the door (after a long flight, let's be honest), blink in the surprisingly sunny Sapporo air, and BAM! Sushi scents, the buzz of neon, and the promise of a night you might remember. The elevator to MD1201 was thankfully modern because I'm terrified of elevators, and the thought of a rickety one after a long flight wasn't ideal! The initial room impression was a sigh of relief. Clean. Not just clean, but meticulously clean. We’ll get to that in a minute, but first…
The Good Stuff: Where This Place Shines (and Where I Almost Shed a Tear of Joy)
- Accessibility: Now, I don’t have accessibility issues, but I'm always looking for it because travel should be for everyone. The elevator, the thought that there's facilities for disabled guests and the reviews I've read suggested a serious commitment to inclusivity. Huge thumbs up. It just makes you feel good knowing everyone can enjoy the party.
- Cleanliness & Safety: A Deep Breath of Relief: Okay, I'm a borderline germaphobe, especially in these post-pandemic times. The whole Anti-viral cleaning products, breakfast in room, daily disinfection in common areas, individually-wrapped food options, physical distancing of at least 1 meter, rooms sanitized between stays, staff trained in safety protocol thing? Absolutely music to my anxious ears. They're serious. Like, hospital-grade serious. I actually felt safe. I think I slept better knowing they were that thorough. It was a massive weight off my mind, especially after that long flight.
- Internet, Glorious Internet (Because, Duh): Free Wi-Fi in all rooms and in public areas? Yes, please. And the promise of LAN in the room too? Look, I'm a digital nomad at heart. Fast, reliable internet is a non-negotiable. I could work, I could stream, I could annoy my friends with photos of ramen. Success.
- The Room Itself: A Cozy Oasis: Air conditioning, blackout curtains, carpeting, coffee/tea maker, complimentary tea, desk, extra-long bed… the list goes on. And let me tell you, after a day of navigating crowded streets AND trying out the local sushi, that bed… it was an experience. The separate shower/bathtub was a godsend after the flight. A soak in the tub, sipping the complimentary tea (yes, I'm a cliché), and then BAM – I was human again. Now, maybe I'm just a sucker for a hotel room that gets the basics right, but they did it. It's a safe space, and after all that travel, it was just what I needed.
- Amenities: Because, Treat Yourself: The hair dryer, refrigerator, in-room safe box, slippers, bathrobes were all little touches that made a big difference. I'm talking about the coffee/tea maker. And speaking of that, the kettle! The KETTLE! I know, I know, it's a small thing, but sometimes that first cuppa in the morning is the difference between a good day and a… well, a questionable day. Having it in your room is pure bliss.
- The Food (Because, Japan): Ok, I was so excited, because there's a restaurant. I wasn't expecting Michelin-star, but it was good. And conveniently located! They really gave me some solid fuel for going out and exploring.
The “Meh” Stuff (Because, Nothing’s Perfect):
- Spa/Fitness (Sort of): I didn't use the fitness center. I am not fit. And, I was there to wander about the city. I heard the pool with a view was nice but didn't have time for the spa. If you're a spa person, investigate this more closely.
The "Could Be Better" (Minor Gripes):
- The view. It wasn’t the worst, but it certainly wasn’t the best. It was the buildings around, and I wasn't there to look at the buildings. But that's only if I'm being picky!
- The Breakfast. I am a breakfast person. While there was breakfast [buffet], Asian breakfast, Western breakfast, breakfast takeaway service and coffee/tea in restaurant, it wasn't quite the glorious spread I was hoping for. It was solid, but not a culinary orgasm– maybe that's just a personal problem.
The Susukino Experience (and Why You're Really Here):
Okay, let's get real. You're not just here for the hotel. You're here for Susukino. And room MD1201 puts you RIGHT. THERE. The 24-hour front desk, the safety/security feature, CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, security [24-hour] all made me feel secure enough to fully embrace the experience. Neon lights? Check. Questionable karaoke? Check. Ramen at 3 AM? Double check. That's the magic of Susukino. And the proximity of the hotel lets you do it all, and then collapse in a comfy bed.
The Quirks & Anecdotes (Because I'm a Human, Not a Robot):
- The Slippers Incident: Okay, so the slippers in the room were the most comfortable things I've ever put on my feet. I may or may not have considered wearing them out… and only barely avoided that fashion crime.
- The Lost in Translation Moment: Trying to order a beer at the bar after a long day of exploring. I butchered more than one Japanese word, but everyone was incredibly kind and patient. That's the spirit of Sapporo.
- The Karaoke Revelation: I may or may not have attempted a rendition of "Bohemian Rhapsody" at a karaoke bar. Let's just say… it's an experience I won't forget, and neither will anyone who was there!
Final Verdict: Why You Should Book Sapporo Susukino Getaway - Room MD1201
Look, if you're looking for a five-star luxury experience, this isn't it. But if you want a clean, safe, comfortable basecamp to launch yourself into the glorious mayhem of Susukino, this is it. It’s a great value, and you are in the heart of the action. This hotel is what you need. The cleanliness, the location, the comfy bed, the reliable Wi-Fi – they all add up to a fantastic experience. My stress levels were low, my energy levels were high, and my memories of Sapporo are some of the best I've ever made.
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My Rant: The Perfect Offer (Because I'm Now Your Travel Agent):
Alright, here’s the deal. STOP scrolling! You’re looking at the perfect launchpad for an amazing trip to Sapporo. You're tired of the same boring hotels, and you want to be in the action, not on the outskirts.
- The Promise: You will be smack-dab in the middle of Susukino, the pulsating heart of Sapporo nightlife. Ramen, karaoke, and adventure are all steps away.
- The Guarantee: Your room (MD1201) will be impeccably clean, sanitized, and safe. You will be able to easily access the internet, and relax in comfort and peace.
- The Special:
- Book now using code SUSUKINOADDICT and get a complimentary welcome drink at a local bar (because, hello, happy hour!).
- PLUS – I'm going to toss in a free city map with my favorite hidden gems.
- The Urgency: This offer is only valid for the next 48 hours! Rooms are filling up fast because the word is out. Snap it up before it is gone!
**Don't wait. Book Room MD1201 at the Sapporo Susuk
Constance's Hidden Gem: Rust-to-Luxury Retreat Will Blow Your Mind!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups! Because we're planning a trip to the hallowed halls of Room MD1201 in Sapporo City Center… and, oh boy, do I have feelings about this. (Mostly good, I hope. Sapporo, you better not disappoint!)
A Messy Sapporo Adventure: Room MD1201 or Bust (and Maybe a Ramen Shop or Two)
Day 1: Arrival, Doubt, and the Quest for Comfort (and a Decent Pillow)
- 1:00 PM - Arrival at New Chitose Airport (CTS): Okay, first hurdle: navigating the airport after a red-eye. I swore I’d learn some basic Japanese before this trip, but “Sumimasen, doko desu ka?” (Excuse me, where is…?) is the extent of my linguistic prowess. Wish me luck!
- Emotionally: Fear. Mixed with jet lag. And a desperate need for caffeine. The airport is a labyrinth, and I'm already picturing myself weeping softly by the baggage carousel.
- 2:00 PM - Train to Sapporo Station: The train better be clean. My last train experience involved a rogue pigeon and a very smelly cheese. Let's just say, I'm sensitive.
- Quirky Observation: Seriously reconsidering the wisdom of wearing white pants. Everyone looks so…together on Japanese trains. I'm pretty sure the woman across from me is judging my travel-worn backpack. She's probably right.
- 3:00 PM - Check-in at Room MD1201!: Okay, the moment of truth. Will this place live up to the "Excellent Access!" hype? Five minutes from Susukino Station, huh? We'll see about that! My internal GPS for directions is, shall we say, unreliable.
- Emotionally: Pure, unadulterated relief if the room is decent. Disappointment if it's not. I’m hoping for at least a window with a view (preferably not of a brick wall). And a good bed. I need a good bed. And a good pillow. I need a pillow.
- 3:30 PM - Room MD1201 Reconnaissance & Pillow Assessment: Unpack. Acclimate. The vital business of pillow evaluation commences. Soft? Firm? Feather or down? This is a life or death situation. Seriously, have you ever tried to sleep on a bad pillow after a long flight? It’s a crime against humanity. (And my neck.)
- Rambling Interlude: Okay, so I’ve been reading about the best ramen places in Sapporo, and I’m already dreaming of thick, savory broth and perfectly cooked noodles. But first, the pillow. The pillow dictates the entire trajectory of this trip. It’s the bedrock. The foundation. The… okay, I’ll stop. But seriously. PILLOW.
- 5:00 PM - Susukino Exploration (and Maybe a Nap?): Okay, let's tackle Susukino! This is supposed to be Sapporo's entertainment district, right? I'm hoping for neon lights, delicious food, and maybe a karaoke bar where I can butcher some ABBA.
- Emotional Reaction: Excitement! And a touch of trepidation. Big cities overwhelm me sometimes. What if I get lost? What if I accidentally order something I can't eat? What if I become best friends with a street cat? (Okay, that last one might not be so bad.)
- 7:00 PM - Dinner at Undecided Ramen Shop (Suggestions Welcome!): Ramen. Ramen. And more ramen. I am determined to find the perfect bowl. I’ve got a list, but feel free to send recommendations. Bonus points if the restaurant is within stumbling distance of Room MD1201. (See? That "Excellent Access!" thing matters.)
- Opinionated Language: Forget the fancy restaurants, I want authentic! I want grime! I want flavor that explodes in my mouth! I want a ramen experience that will make me weep with joy (and maybe a little bit of MSG).
- 9:00 PM - Attempt Karaoke (or Fail Miserably): Depending on my courage (and the amount of sake consumed), I'm either belting out Queen or hiding in the corner, mortified. No in-between.
- Imperfection: Karaoke is my kryptonite. I'm tone-deaf, my memory for lyrics is atrocious, and I have the stage presence of a particularly shy houseplant. But hey, who cares? Everyone's a star in karaoke! (Even me, in my deluded little world).
Day 2: Culture, Curry, and a Deep Dive into Ramen (Yes, Again!)
- 9:00 AM - Failure to Wake Up on Time (Probably): Let's be honest. Jet lag is a beast.
- 10:00 AM - Sapporo Beer Garden & Museum: Because what's Japan without beer?
- Messy structure: Is the beer garden outside or inside? If its cold will there be heaters? What are the hours? Can I bring a friend!
- 12:00 PM - Sapporo Snow Festival Museum: A museum dedicated to the famous Snow Festival? Sounds interesting! I'm hoping to see some incredible ice sculptures. Even if its not snow season!
- Anecdote: I once tried to build a snowman, it turned into a weird, lopsided blob. I'm hoping professional ice sculptors have better skills.
- 2:00 PM - Lunch - More Curry: Sapporo is famous for its soup curry, and I'm all in.
- Doubling down on a single experience: I'm going to make a list of every soup curry place and every day I should try it or have it again. My taste buds will thank me later.
- 4:00 PM - Free time: Free time! Yay! Probably gonna take a nap.
- 6:00 PM - Dinner Round Two: The Ultimate Ramen Quest (Continued): Tonight, it's war. We're venturing into the deepest recesses of Sapporo's ramen scene. The ramen bowl will define the perfectness of my perfect day. This is not a drill.
- Stream-of-consciousness: Okay, so I've been researching the "best" ramen places, and there's this one place, Yururamen, that EVERYONE raves about. Apparently, the broth is out of this world, and the noodles… oh, the noodles! They're made in-house, and the texture is supposed to be perfect.
- 8:00 PM - Susukino Nightlife (If I'm Still Standing): If I survive the ramen, maybe a bar, a little more exploring, let's see!
Day 3: Farewell (and a Plea for More Ramen)
- 9:00 AM - Farewell to Room MD1201: Sayonara, sweet apartment! You were a convenient base for my adventures. (And the pillow was, in fact, excellent!)
- Emotional Reaction: Bittersweet. I'm sad to leave, but also ready for my own bed. And more ramen, somehow.
- 10:00 AM - Final Ramen Fix (One Last Time!): Before I head to the airport, I have ONE MORE RAMEN. Maybe it'll be the best one yet!
- Funny: I am going to get a tattoo of a ramen bowl
- 12:00 PM - Depart from New Chitose Airport (CTS): Time to go! Sayonara, Sapporo! You were a whirlwind of amazing food, interesting sights, and the occasional existential crisis. I'll be back!
- Final Thought: Until next time!
Sapporo Susukino Getaway: Room MD1201 - 5-Minute Walk to the Action! - Uh... Questions I Guess?
Okay, so, 5-minute walk to the action… is that, like, *really* five minutes? Because I’ve been promised five-minute walks before… and ended up trekking for an eternity. My feet still haven’t forgiven some travel agents.
Alright, so, here's the deal. Five minutes? Honestly? Depends. If you're Usain Bolt hopped up on coffee and adrenaline fueled by the prospect of karaoke and ramen, then yeah, maybe. I'm a more… leisurely walker. Let's say *seven*, give or take a strategically placed vending machine (and, let's be honest, there's *always* a vending machine. You can’t miss it. Bright lights, beckoning you with delicious, cold beverages… it was like a siren song every time). But the point is, it's close. Close enough that you can stagger back at 3 AM and not feel like you’ve just run a marathon. Which is… a *major* selling point, trust me.
The room… is it actually *nice* nice? Or, like, “clean enough to sleep in after a few beers” nice? I'm aiming for a bit more than the latter, preferably.
Okay, so, "nice" is subjective, right? Let's set expectations. It's not the Ritz. It's not going to have a marble bathroom with heated floors (sadly!). It’s a perfectly functional, clean, modern-ish Japanese hotel room. Small, yes. Efficient, absolutely. The bed? Comfortable enough. I think they replaced the previous one because it had a huge stain (I didn't ask the staff either)... The bathroom? Tiny, but hey, it had a toilet! And it worked. The water pressure was *fantastic*. Seriously, the best shower I had in Japan, and I’m not exaggerating. It was my little slice of heaven at the end of a long day. And I mean, you're in Susukino! You're not spending all your time cooped up in the room, are you? Focus on the *experience*... and the *ramen*. Seriously, go get the ramen.
What about noise? Susukino is known for… well, being lively. Will I be able to sleep? (Because I *need* my beauty sleep, dammit.)
Right. Noise. Well… it's Susukino. So, yes. Accept this truth. You *will* hear things. Especially if you open the window. I made that mistake… once. Let's just say it involved a lot of… enthusiastic karaoke singing and the general hubbub of late-night revelry. The walls are… not super thick. Close the window. Alternatively, earplugs. Invest in some decent ones. Or, embrace the chaos! Become one with the Susukino spirit! Personally, I’m a light sleeper, so it was a bit tricky. I managed to do it. I did. Honestly, after a few nights of intense exploring and delicious sake… sleep was no longer a problem. You'll probably be too exhausted to care. But, yeah, earplugs. Highly recommended.
Is there a fridge? (Because… beer.)
YES! Blessedly, yes. A tiny one, but it’s there. Perfect for a few cold ones, some water, maybe leftovers from your triumphant ramen conquest. I stocked up on Sapporo Classic. It’s practically a requirement. And I think I might have kept a little stash of snacks in there too. Don’t judge me! Okay, maybe judge me a little. But a fridge is a game changer, especially when you’re trying to combat the, er, *occasional* jet lag-induced munchies at 3 AM... which totally wasn't just me, obviously.
Any tips for a first-timer in Sapporo/Susukino? Don't fail me!
Okay, okay, here’s the gospel, according to me: **First**, embrace the ramen. Seriously, *research* ramen. Go early, avoid the crowds. There’s this one place… but I’m not telling you *which* one because I want to keep it a secret for myself. But, *research*! **Second**, learn some basic Japanese phrases. "Arigato" (Thank you) and "Sumimasen" (Excuse me) will get you *very* far. And "Kore wa nandeska?" (What is this?) will be invaluable. **Third**, don't be afraid to explore! Wander the side streets. Get lost. That's where the *real* gems are. **Fourth**, Karaoke. Do it. Even if you think you can't sing. Especially if you think you can't sing. It's part of the experience. **Fifth**, the people are incredibly kind. Don't be afraid to ask for help. They'll probably go above and beyond. They did for me! **Sixth**, the snow. If it's winter, be prepared for snow. It's beautiful. And slippery. Wear good boots! **Seventh**, don't be afraid to get a little… *wild*. Susukino encourages it. (But, you know, be safe and responsible… mostly.) **Eighth**, take pictures! And lastly, if you're looking for a *specific* experience, like, wanting to go to a *specific* karaoke bar, then you better research it *before* you go. I spent *hours* wandering around, completely lost, trying to find this one bar I was *certain* my friend recommended, and then... after an hour of the night... I was too drunk to remember what it was called, so I went to another bar... and then another... and then my friend was like, *'Oh, you were looking for that place? You went to the wrong area! Haha!'* So, do yourself a favor and do your research!
Okay, that sounds… exciting. But what if something goes wrong? Is there English-speaking staff? (My Japanese is… nonexistent.)
Ah, the eternal question. English-speaking staff? Well… it's Japan. You're not going to always get fluent English speakers, although I have heard that the front desk staff speaks *some* English. Probably better than my Japanese, which is essentially "konnichiwa" and "arigato." But, even if there's a language barrier, people in Japan are incredibly helpful. Google Translate is your friend (download the offline translation pack beforehand!), and pointing and gesturing is surprisingly effective. Worst case scenario? Smile and wave. You’ll probably figure it out. I did, and I’m a walking disaster. And honestly, the slightly awkward communication is part of the charm! It’s a story you'll tell later.
Tell me something I might not know about this room or Susukino, like a local secret or something. Something *real*.
