Sapporo's Hidden Gem: Royal Park Canvas's Odori Park Oasis!
Royal Park Canvas Sapporo: My Love/Hate Affair with an Odori Park Oasis (and a Sprinkle of Snow)
Okay, buckle up folks, because I’m about to gush, groan, and generally overshare about my recent stay at Royal Park Canvas Sapporo, the self-proclaimed "Hidden Gem" overlooking Odori Park. And spoiler alert: it is a gem, but like, a slightly tarnished one in places. Mostly because I'm a demanding snob who's probably never satisfied. But hey, that's what makes a review, right? Let's unpack this…
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The Promise of Paradise (and the Reality Check):
Let's be real, Sapporo in winter is a siren song for a certain breed of masochist (me!). Freezing your butt off while inhaling the scent of ramen is a specific form of joy. So, Royal Park Canvas, with its prime Odori Park location, promised a warm, chic haven from the icy blasts. And for the most part, it delivered.
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag, but Mostly Good…
- Wheelchair accessible? Yes! Elevators galore, ramps, and those lovely, wide-open spaces you dream of when you're navigating a wheelchair through a blizzard. I didn’t need wheelchair access, but I did notice the thoughtful design, which is a massive plus.
- Facilities for disabled guests: Again, thumbs up. They genuinely seem to get it.
The Comforts of the Digital Age (and my crippling addiction):
- Internet access: Okay, this is where it gets interesting. They scream about Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! And hey, it was there, but sometimes it felt a bit… sluggish. Like, I'd be staring at my laptop, willing YouTube to load, and my inner monologue would become a string of increasingly frustrated curses. Maybe it was the heavy snowfall interfering with the signals? Who knows!
- Internet [LAN]: Also available. For the truly hardcore old-school internet users. Respect.
- Internet services: (See above, with an extra layer of grumbling).
Staying Connected (and Losing My Patience):
- Wi-Fi in public areas: Yup, it's there. Also, sometimes a little slow, but hey, at least you can update your Insta while you're waiting for your coffee.
Things to Do (Beyond Shivering):
- Fitness center: Ah, the gym. A place where you can feel guilty about all the ramen you've just devoured. It was small, but functional. I actually made myself go, which is a minor miracle.
- Pool with view: Nope. No pool with a view. Sigh. I was secretly hoping for a magical rooftop pool overlooking the snow-dusted park. My disappointment was profound.
- Sauna/Spa/Steamroom: YES! This is where Royal Park Canvas really shines. After a day of battling the wind and snow, a steaming sauna and a post-sauna shower was absolute heaven. The showers were so clean and modern, I almost wanted to live in them. The spa itself was beautifully designed, minimalist and zen.
- Spa/Sauna: (see above)
The Crucial Elements: Cleanliness and Safety (because #PandemicLife):
- Cleanliness is a serious thing. And Royal Park Canvas crushed it. The rooms were spotless, and I mean spotless. Like, "where did they even get the cleaning staff from?" spotless.
- Anti-viral cleaning products / Daily disinfection in common areas / Rooms sanitized between stays / Professional-grade sanitizing services: Check, check, check, and check. COVID precautions were taken very seriously. I felt safe, which is a huge relief.
- Hand sanitizer everywhere: Another win!
- Food safety: I’ll get to the dining situation shortly but rest assured it felt very clean.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Fueling the Adventure (and the Midnight Cravings):
- Restaurants: They had several. A main restaurant, a less formal coffee shop, and a small bar.
- A la carte in restaurant / Breakfast [buffet] / Breakfast service / Buffet in restaurant / Coffee/tea in restaurant / Coffee shop / Dessert in restaurant / Happy hour / International cuisine in restaurant / Poolside bar: OKAY, so let's dissect the food situation, because this is where things got…complex. The breakfast buffet was… fine. Plenty of options, standard hotel fare. The pastries were a bit sad, but the coffee was surprisingly decent. The international cuisine in the restaurant was good (again, I'm a food snob!), especially the Hokkaido seafood options. The "happy hour" was a nice touch, a much-needed cocktail to shake off the day's woes.
- Room service [24-hour]: Yes! This is a major win. Perfect for those late-night ramen cravings (which I, naturally, had).
- Snack bar: Convenient for grabbing a quick bite while I was pacing in the lobby.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things that Matter:
- Concierge: Super helpful and friendly. They pointed me in the direction of the best ramen place in town (a holy pilgrimage)
- Daily housekeeping: Again, flawless. My room was always perfect, even after I’d managed to dismantle it in my usual chaos.
- Elevator: Essential.
- Dry cleaning/Laundry service: Useful if you spill ramen on yourself. (which I did)
- Luggage storage: Convenient for those that needed early check-in or late check-out.
- Cash withdrawal/Currency exchange: Very useful.
For the Kids (and the Big Kids at Heart):
- Family/child friendly: Seems like it! Saw plenty of families around.
The Room Itself: My Cozy Cocoon (or My Mini-Apartment):
- Air conditioning in public area / Air conditioning / Additional toilet Yes.
- Alarm clock: Yes, but I used my phone.
- Bathrobes: Ah, the luxurious comfort of a hotel bathrobe. Pure bliss after a sauna session.
- Blackout curtains: Crucial for those Sapporo winter nights, when the sun seems to give up completely.
- Coffee/tea maker/ Complimentary tea: Very important. Especially when you're in the mood for a cup in your bathrobe.
- Free bottled water: Always a good thing.
- Hair dryer: Essential.
- In-room safe box: For keeping your valuables safe.
- Internet access – wireless / Internet access – wireless: See above regarding the quality of the internet.
- Non-smoking: Praise be!
- Private bathroom: Yup, with a great shower!
- Refrigerator: Perfect for chilling your local craft beer.
- Seating area: Nice for relaxing.
- Separate shower/bathtub: I preferred the shower.
- Wi-Fi [free]: (Sighs).
- Window that opens: Nice, although I didn't often open it.
My (Almost) Perfect Stay: The Good, the Bad, and the Slightly Annoying:
Right so I got really hooked on the sauna. I spent hours in there. Like, I’m pretty sure the staff started to recognize me. It was a sanctuary. Pure relaxation. The spa was so amazing it deserved a medal. But the wifi… (deep breath) … the wifi was like a clingy ex-boyfriend: Present, but not entirely reliable. Small issue, but one that kept coming back to bother me.
Overall: I'd absolutely recommend Royal Park Canvas Sapporo. The location is fantastic, the staff is amazing and the spa area is something from dreams, and the cleanliness is top notch. Just be prepared for a slight internet hiccup, and embrace the possibility of ramen-induced bliss. And for the love of all that is holy, use that sauna!
Indonesian Paradise Found: Candisari Hotel & Resto, Kebumen's Hidden Gem
Okay, buckle up, buttercup. This isn't your perfectly-prepped PowerPoint presentation. This is me, trying to wrestle a travel itinerary into submission, Royal Park Canvas Sapporo Odori Park edition. Consider yourself warned.
Royal Park Canvas Sapporo Odori Park: A Chaotic Sapporo Sensation (or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Snow)
Day 1: Arrival & The Sweet, Sweet Embrace of Ramen (and Jet Lag)
- Morning (Oh, the Morning): Landed in Sapporo. The air? Crisp. The sky? A blinding, deceptively cheerful blue. The plane? Felt like a sardine can after a long haul. My brain? Still firmly in the "what time is it, actually?" zone. The Royal Park Canvas? Oh, the beautiful, minimalist haven. Sleek, modern, and exactly what this weary traveler craved. Thank you, interior designers, you glorious humans.
- Lunch (Ramen Redemption): First priority? Food. Specifically, ramen. After consulting some hyper-local online food blogs (that I pretended I understood), I ended up at Menya Yukara. Okay, fine, I just followed the longest queue. And the smell…Oh, the smell! The rich, porky broth, the perfectly cooked noodles, the melt-in-your-mouth chashu pork… I practically inhaled it. Post-ramen bliss is a real thing, people. My jet lag vanished, replaced by a warm, happy food coma.
- Afternoon (Odori Park Stroll & Panic): Wandered over to Odori Park. It's beautiful, I guess. Long, green (or was green, maybe?) space cutting through the city. The Sapporo TV Tower looked…tower-y. It's nice. I took a few photos, pretended to appreciate the meticulously groomed flowerbeds, and then promptly had a small internal panic. I'd forgotten my phone charger. My phone is my lifeline, my translator, my damn map! Panic set in. Deep breaths. Google Maps to the rescue. (Note to self: buy a universal charger immediately. Then, maybe a therapist.)
- Evening (Dinner, Drinks, and Existential Dread): Found a tiny izakaya (Japanese pub) near the hotel. Ordered some of those little skewers (yakitori). Ate them all. Drank too much sake. Tried speaking Japanese. Failed miserably. Sat alone in the low-lit room and had what felt like a profound existential crisis. Wondered if I'd ever truly understand the subtle beauty of Japanese culture or just always be a clumsy tourist. Decided the answer probably didn't matter, ordered another drink, and watched the snow fall outside. It was kind of beautiful, actually.
Day 2: Chocolate Factory Fantasies & Sapporo Beer Adventures (and the Persistent Charger Problem)
- Morning (Chocolate Extravaganza): The Shiroi Koibito Park was a must-do. I imagined it being a real-life Willy Wonka factory, if Willy Wonka had been a meticulous Japanese engineer with a penchant for adorable packaging. It was pretty close. The cookies were delicious. The architecture was…fantastical, to the point where I actually felt a little bit silly. But hey, I bought a box of cookies. Don't judge. Still no charger.
- Lunch (Curry Soup Salvation): Found a local curry soup place. Sapporo is apparently obsessed with curry soup. It's a light, brothy curry soup filled with vegetables and meat. Actually really loved the curry soup, as it was the perfect antidote to my chocolate-induced sugar coma.
- Afternoon (Sapporo Beer Garden & Emotional Rollercoaster): The Sapporo Beer Garden was next on the list. This place is a sprawling complex, kind of like the biggest, best bar you've ever seen. I did the all-you-can-eat-lamb thing. I ate so much lamb. I drank so much beer. I met a guy from Australia who insisted on telling me his life story. I laughed. I cried (from both the lamb and the conversation). I felt so overwhelmingly happy and so tragically alone, all within a span of about two hours. It was probably the most "alive" I'd felt in a while, but my body would definitely pay for the sake of this adventure.
- Evening (Seeking solace?): After the beer garden fiasco, I was completely spent. So I went back to my hotel room and wallowed in the quiet. I was too exhausted to go out again. I fell asleep, dreaming of endless plates of lamb and friendly Australians.
Day 3: Market Mayhem & Farewell Feast (and the Charger Mystery)
- Morning (Nijo Market Navigation): The Nijo Market. I was looking forward to it! Now, this is real, raw, and a little bit smelly (in a good way, mostly). Fresh seafood everywhere! I haggled (badly) for some fresh uni (sea urchin). Ate it standing up, basically dripping with deliciousness. Lost track of time, because it was my favorite place.
- Lunch (The Last Ramen?) Went to a restaurant I had wanted to try near the market. The Ramen was better than when I first arrived!
- Afternoon (Hokkaido University & Snowfall Delight): Because it was my last day, I decided to head over to the Hokkaido University. The campus was a beautiful, snow-covered wonderland. I threw a snowball. I took too many photos of the snow-covered trees. I almost forgot the charger.
- Evening (Farewell Dinner & Airport Departure): Trying to have a final meal. Found an upscale restaurant and savored every last bite of Hokkaido cuisine. Finally, on the way to the airport, I spotted a charger. I felt a sense of unadulterated, pure joy! I bought it. I was ready to go home.
The Undeniable Truth:
This trip wasn't perfect. I got lost a lot. I spoke terrible Japanese. I almost lost my mind over a charger. I ate too much. I drank too much. I felt everything too much. But it was real. It was messy. It was memorable.
And honestly? That's exactly how I wanted it. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go nap before my flight. Sapporo, you beautiful, chaotic, snowy beast. I'll be back.
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Royal Park Canvas Sapporo: Odori Park Oasis - The Real Deal (and My Messy Feelings About It)
Is Royal Park Canvas Sapporo really as cool as it looks in the pictures, or is it just Instagram hype?
Okay, let's be real. Those pictures? Gorgeous. The reality? Well, it's *almost* as good. Definitely not a letdown. I mean, I walked in, expecting like, generic hotel lobby vibes, you know? But BOOM. Trees! Actual trees, smack dab in the middle of a bustling city. It's like a secret green portal. I remember the *first* time I stumbled upon it... I was battling a serious caffeine crash after a dodgy afternoon tea and was just wandering, lost, from the Sapporo TV Tower. I honestly thought I'd hallucinated the whole thing. A literal oasis! The reception area's a bit minimalist, maybe a little *too* minimalist, but hey, I appreciated the uncluttered feeling at that moment of my mental weakness.
What's the deal with "Odori Park Oasis"? Is it *inside* the hotel? How does it work?
Okay, so the "Odori Park Oasis" bit is the *key*, really. It's the genius of the hotel. It's basically a public space that the hotel incorporates, with these beautiful, strategically placed trees and pathways. It's integrated *into* the hotel's design, not just some separate garden shoehorned in. You can wander through it, relax on benches, and even catch the scent of grilling sausages from an adjacent food vendor. It’s a haven, plain and simple. It’s a place to recharge, to breathe, to escape the grey concrete of urban Sapporo. Seriously, I'm almost tearing up thinking about it. Not because it's perfect, but because it's honestly a really well-done design that's thoughtful and welcoming.
The Rooms: Are they actually comfortable or just stylish? Spill the tea!
Ugh, okay, room time. I stayed in a... I think it was a "Superior Double" or something equally fancy-sounding. And the truth? It was *mostly* comfortable. The bed was a dream. I mean, I'm talking cloud-level softness. I genuinely fell asleep within like, five minutes of hitting the pillow. Which, frankly, is a miracle in itself. However, the bathroom? While undeniably *stylish* (think sleek lines and minimalist design), the shower... well, let's just say the water pressure was a *little* underwhelming. Plus, the acoustics... I could hear my neighbor's sneeze like it was *right* next to me. Minor annoyance in the grand scheme of things, but still.. I'm a sound sleeper, and I still woke up with a start on the second night from a loud snort.
What’s the vibe? Is it a party hotel or a chill retreat?
Definitely more chill retreat, with a smidge of 'cool urban hangout.' I wouldn't go there expecting wild parties. It seemed geared towards travelers, couples, or those who want a stylish, calm base to explore Sapporo. I saw a few families, too, but it's definitely not a place packed with kids. I felt like I should whisper when I was in the lobby… which, I admit, I *kind of* enjoyed, that quietness. You want to be relaxed, you want to be reflective, you want to… maybe write a haiku about the falling autumn leaves in the Odori Park, after you get your shower to cooperate. It’s understated elegance.
The Restaurant/Bar: Does it live up to the hype? Any stand-out dishes I *have* to try?
Okay, this is a complicated one. The restaurant (I *think* it was called "Canvas Kitchen" or some equally generic name) *looked* amazing. Seriously, the interior design was gorgeous, all warm lighting and exposed brick. However… I only had breakfast there. And the breakfast? Was… fine. Good, even. Not mind-blowing. It had the usual buffet fare: eggs, bacon, pastries, and a variety of Japanese options. The coffee was passable, but nothing to write home about. The real highlight, however? The view! If you get a window seat overlooking the park, it’s instant zen. I had a slight existential crisis whilst eating my toast, staring out at the trees. Not a *bad* crisis, mind you. A good one. One of those "what am I doing with my life?" moments you need occasionally.
What's the *worst* thing about Royal Park Canvas Sapporo? Be brutally honest!
Okay, here comes the honesty bomb. The absolute worst thing? The elevators. Seriously. They were SLOW. Painfully, agonizingly slow. I'm not a patient person, and I found myself seriously contemplating the stairs on multiple occasions. And the wait times were just ridiculous. I'm not exaggerating when I say I spent a significant portion of my stay just standing around, tapping my foot, and staring at the slowly ascending or descending numbers. It felt like they hired snails to run the elevator systems. This is a problem in Japan itself, but I guess because it was such a beautiful hotel, the elevators became more of a torture chamber than a transportation method.
Is it worth the money?! Tell me I need to book it!
Ugh. Money. Okay, judging by the prices, It's not dirt cheap, but it isn't going to put you in an early grave either. I *think* it's a pretty good value. The location is fantastic – steps away from Odori Park and easy access to everything. The design is top-notch– beautiful! The oasis is AMAZING. The rooms, while imperfect, are comfortable. You *will* have an awesome time. But... the elevators. The elevators are just... a thing. But, would I go back? Yes. Without hesitation. Just… pack some patience and your own sense of humor. And maybe a comfy pair of shoes for the stairs. You'll need them.
Any tips for getting the *best* experience?
* **Book a room facing the park:** Duh! The view is half the experience. Don't skimp on this! * **Embrace the oasis:** Seriously, go wander around it. Take a book. Just *breathe*. * **Budget extra time for the elevators.** Seriously, add at least 5 minutes to any journey involving an elevator. * **Don't expect culinary perfection:** The food is good, but it's not the *star* of the show. * **Pack earplugs** if you are a light sleeper. You'll thank me later. * **Most importantly, go with an open mind and a sense of adventure!**
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