
Unbelievable Abashiri Hotel Deal: Route Inn Ekimae Awaits!
Unbelievable Abashiri Hotel Deal: Route Inn Ekimae Awaits! - A Review Straight from the Trenches (and Maybe the Foot Bath)
Okay, folks, buckle up. We're diving headfirst into the Route Inn Ekimae in Abashiri, Japan, and let me tell you, this ain't your average sterile hotel review. I'm talking real talk, warts and all, because you deserve the truth, even if it involves a slightly burnt coffee and a rogue bath towel.
First things first: Accessibility. Listen, I’m not in a wheelchair, but I am a clumsy soul who appreciates a smooth entry. Route Inn seems to get it. I saw Elevators, obviously, and the Facilities for disabled guests seemed legit, not just an afterthought. The whole vibe was… accessible, which is crucial.
Staying Connected in the Digital Age (and Beyond): Look, I NEED internet. I have a job, even if that job mostly involves staring at travel blogs and eating weird snacks. Good news: Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Phew. Internet access – both LAN and wireless – so I can connect like a champ. Plus, the Internet services were humming along nicely. No buffering nightmares, which, let’s be honest, is a travel miracle.
Location, Location, Location (and Getting There): Being Ekimae (directly in front of the station) is a HUGE win. Seriously, dragging luggage is the bane of my existence. Airport transfer? Not personally used it, but I saw it listed and mentally bookmarked it for future meltdowns. Car park [free of charge] - bonus points if you're driving the lonely Hokkaido road!
Cleanliness and Safety - The "Is This Place Haunted By the Rona?" Factor: Okay, let's get serious. This past year has made us ALL paranoid. Route Inn is clearly on board. Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer everywhere, staff trained in safety protocols… it felt… reassuring. They even had Room sanitization opt-out available – which I thought was a nice touch of control. Rooms sanitized between stays? Check. CCTV. Yep. Feel safe to have a peaceful night.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – Fueling the Adventures: This is where things get interesting. The Breakfast [buffet] was… well, it was breakfast. Asian breakfast options. I'm not a huge breakfast person, But I did manage to snag a coffee and some something that resembled scrambled eggs (hey, at least it wasn't radioactive!). Coffee shop nearby was a godsend. They have Restaurants. I went for an Asian cuisine in restaurant - I had the most delicious Japanese curry, the flavors just danced on my tongue. It was heavenly. And after, I hit up the bar- you know, for research.
The Room – My Sanctuary (and Occasional Mess): My room? Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Hair dryer, Coffee/tea maker, Refrigerator, Slippers… They’re all in there and I've use them all. I’m a big fan of a Blackout curtains-- I NEED sleep. Plus the Free bottled water was a lifesaver, especially after my curry escapade. Oh My God the Bed Oh, the bed. I could've stayed there all day, just sinking into the comfort. They are Non-smoking - which I appreciate.
Things to Do and Ways to Relax – Because You Deserve It: Okay, the real reason most of us stay in a hotel (besides not sleeping in a ditch). Spa/sauna! Okay, I'm a huge fan of a good Sauna. It was the perfect way to de-stress after a day of… tourist-ing. And the Foot bath! I spent a solid hour just soaking my weary traveler’s feet while planning my next adventure.
Services and Conveniences – The Little Things That Make a Difference: Contactless check-in/out, Daily housekeeping, Doorman. Little things, big impact. The Cash withdrawal service saved me from a money crisis.
For the Kids (and the Kid in All of Us): Family/child friendly is a plus for many folks.
The Flaws (Because Nothing's Perfect): I do have one slightly negative thing to say. (I know, I said I'd tell it like it is!) The coffee at breakfast, could be stronger. However, I was able to solve this issue with a nearby Coffee shop.
Why You Should Book This Deal - The Honest Recommendation:
Listen, the Unbelievable Abashiri Hotel Deal: Route Inn Ekimae Awaits! is a solid choice. It’s clean, convenient, and comfortable. The location is fantastic for exploring Abashiri. The amenities are a great balance of practical and pampering. It's not the fanciest hotel in the world, but it's a reliable, comfortable stay, and the foot bath alone makes it worth the price of admission. It genuinely felt like a place to rest, recharge, and explore. The Route Inn Ekimae in Abashiri is offering the perfect mix of convenience, relaxation, and affordability. Don’t hesitate – book it! You deserve it.
Escape to Yakima's Hidden Gem: The Ledgestone Hotel Awaits!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into my Abashiri adventure, built around the comfy, reliable anchor of Hotel Route Inn Abashiri Ekimae. This ain't your perfectly-structured travel brochure, this is real life, and it’s going to be a chaotic, ramen-fueled, and probably slightly sunburned masterpiece.
Day 1: Arrival & The Great Sapporo Beer Debacle (and a little bit of regret)
- Morning (Okay, more like mid-afternoon): Land in Memanbetsu Airport (MMB). The air! Crisp, clean, and smelling faintly of… optimism? (I was still optimistic at this point!). The airport is TINY, which is a huge plus. No endless airport walks. Grab the airport bus to Abashiri Station. Easy peasy. Or so I thought.
- Afternoon: Check in to Hotel Route Inn Abashiri Ekimae. The room? Typical Route Inn. Clean, compact, and surprisingly comfortable. That free breakfast will be a godsend, trust me. Settle in. My first (and biggest) mistake of the entire trip: I decided to hit up a local supermarket for snacks. I thought I was being clever. Looked at the vast aisles, and was shocked by the amount of instant ramen. It was a glorious parade of colors, flavors, and promises of deliciousness. Bought way too much, and not enough actual food. Regrets will come, young traveler, regrets will come.
- Evening: The Sapporo Beer Garden (and The Price of Glory): Okay, so I was RAVING about this Sapporo Beer Garden I'd read about online. "Authentic!" "Magical!" "Beer!" Naturally, I hopped on a train and made my way, giddy as a schoolboy, to Sapporo Beer Garden. Got there… and the place was packed. The only seats left were… outside. In October. In Hokkaido. My teeth almost chattered off my damn gums. The beer was glorious, the food was okay (I had a massive plate of Genghis Khan, seasoned mutton), and the atmosphere was… brisk. I should have dressed warmer. I should have listened to the little voice in my head that said, "Maybe it's not worth the train ride." But hey, at least I can say I braved the elements for a tankard of deliciousness. Worth it? Questionable. Would I do it again? Probably not in October.
- Night: Back to Abashiri. Collapsed into bed. The ramen called out to me, but I restrained myself. (Mostly.)
Day 2: Okhotsk Sea Adventure & the Ice Break of Reality
- Morning: Free breakfast at Route Inn! Okay, this is where I started to appreciate the “standard” of the hotel. The buffet, though basic, delivered. Waffles! Coffee! Enough to get me going.
- Late Morning: The Okhotsk Sea Ice Breaker Cruise! THIS was the big one. This was what I came for. Chose the early cruise, because, you know: better light, less people. I was SO EXCITED. The boat is HUGE and the views were stunning. I mean, the ice! The way it cracked and groaned! It was like watching the earth itself breathe. Totally worth the entrance fee. I was giddy, taking photos every second.
- Afternoon: Diving into the Deep Freeze (Metaphorically, Mostly): After the cruise… I was left with the post-cruise blues. I walked to the Abashiri Prison Museum. I found it… fascinating. I spent a good 3 hours going through the exhibits. It was fascinating, but it didn't feel fun.
- Evening: Ramen Rescue and the Comfort of Familiar Walls: Back at the hotel, the snack stash I had bought, came to my rescue, I devoured the instant ramen. It tasted like cardboard and salty tears of joy.
- Night: Stared out the window. The sky was a deep, inky blue. Contemplated the meaning of life, or at least, what to do with my leftover seaweed snack.
Day 3: Lake Drift, Museums, and a Last Ramen Hurrah
- Morning: Another free breakfast! Thank you, Route Inn, for your reliability. Decided to tackle Lake Abashiri. RENTED A BIKE. This was, in retrospect, perhaps a tad ambitious. The wind was brutal. The "scenic route" was less scenic and more "wind tunnel." But hey, I got some exercise! And the lake itself was beautiful, even through the haze of my watery eyes.
- Afternoon: Art, History, and the Quest for Good Coffee: Stumbled upon the Hokkaido Museum of Northern Peoples. Found it unexpectedly captivating. The indigenous art and culture was fascinating. Learned something new, which is always a win. Followed it up with the Abashiri Museum of Contemporary Art. Found it… less captivating. (My apologies to the artists, but sometimes a person just needs a good cup of coffee and a lie down.)
- Evening: Ramen Finale and Farewell: Went looking for a decent ramen shop. Found one online, got lost, found another one that looked okay and ate. The owner was friendly, I had a perfectly adequate bowl of noodles, and thought that by the end of the trip I will have eaten all the ramen in the world. Headed back to the hotel, packed my bag, and gazed longingly at the hotel entrance. This particular Route Inn… It was a reliable anchor. A place of comfort. My (slightly chaotic) home.
- Night: Another night staring out the window, watching the rain. And thinking that there is something about Japan that makes you miss it the moment you leave.
Day 4: Departure and Unfinished Business
- Morning: Final free breakfast! Damn, I'm going to miss that waffle maker. Check out of the hotel. Catch the bus to Memanbetsu Airport.
- Afternoon: Flight home. Already planning my return. I've got unfinished business with that Sapporo Beer Garden. And I've got a mountain of ramen to conquer.
- Forever: Planning the next trip, remembering all the great and questionable moments, and mostly hoping that the good memories outweigh the "meh" ones. And I'm already missing that waffle maker…

Unbelievable Abashiri Hotel Deal: Route Inn Ekimae Awaits! (Oh, the Drama!) FAQs
Okay, so what's the HUGE deal about this Route Inn Ekimae in Abashiri? Is it, like, *actually* amazing?
I've heard Route Inns are all the same. Is this one different? And is the breakfast worth getting out of bed for?
What about the location? Is it easy to get around?
What's a typical room like? Is it tiny? And are the views any good?
Okay, you mentioned a "horrific hike." Spill the tea!
Are there any downsides… besides the "slightly dated" vibe?
Any other recommendations? Nearby places to eat or things to do?

