Hokkaido Winter 2013 北海道冬季之旅 - Shiretoko Grand Hotel Kitakobushi 知床グランドホテル北こぶし

Stayed 05.02.2013 (1 day)
Booked through Japanican.

- Booked a twin room, inclusive of two meals (dinner and breakfast). Cost 23,520 yen (322 SGD). Was given room which looked out into Okhotsk Sea. Room was very spacious and comfortable. Was warmly welcomed by staffs upon arrival. Warm konbu tea and dried prune were served while waiting for check-in at the lobby.

- One main feature of this hotel is their communal hot spring bathhouse located on the 8th floor, overlooking the vast and magnificent Okhotsk Sea, which is fully covered with drift ice during winter season. Walk up the stairs to access the outdoor hot spring facility - personally preferred the open air one as the indoor one can get humid at times. Towels for usage in the bathhouse are placed in a rattan basket, found in the hotel room. Only sodium chloride hot spring is offered by the hotel.

- Both dinner and breakfast were buffet style. Huge array of food (both Western and Japanese) were provided by the hotel, which made us spoilt for choice. Overall dinning experience was enjoyable.

- Dinner -

- Breakfast -

- Souvenir shops are located on the ground floor of the hotel. Vividly remember that there is Seicomart located just in front of the hotel. Tickets to Aurora Fantasy (laser light show) during the winter season can be purchased directly from the front desk and the event venue is approximately 5 minutes walk from the hotel. Did not manage to explore the area around the hotel as we reached in the evening and had to depart early in the morning. Will love to visit Shiretoko Peninsula again in summer/autumn to explore the national park.

- Limited period Twinkle Bus bound for Utoro Onsen will allow passengers to alight at several major hotels, and this hotel is one of them. Alternatively, take Shari bus (Shiretoko line) from Shari Bus Terminal (beside Shiretoko-shari JR Station) and alight at Utoro Onsen Bus Terminal. Hotel is within a few minutes walk from the bus terminal. Bus schedule: http://www.shiretoko.co.jp/access/index.html

Recognition: Was featured in Michelin Guide Hokkaido 2012.

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Shiretoko Grand Hotel Kitakobushi 知床グランドホテル北こぶし
〒099-4355 北海道斜里郡斜里町ウトロ東172番地
http://www.shiretoko.co.jp/english/index.html

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Commemorative stamp: