The Lake Suite Ko No Sumika — Hotel in Sobetsu

During my recent travels, I had the opportunity to stay at a well-known onsen hotel overlooking the picturesque Lake Toya. While there were some high points to this establishment, I must share a candid account of the experiences that ranged from exceptional to unfortunately subpar.||Room and Amenities: A Modern Lakeside Haven||The hotel's accommodations were a true delight. The room boasted a modern decor with clean lines and a soothing color palette that created a serene atmosphere. The in-room amenities included a space designed for relaxation after enjoying the onsen, which I found quite thoughtful. The onsen experience itself was elevated by the spectacular view of Lake Toya, providing a tranquil escape and a feast for the eyes.||Waking up to the serene view of the lake with its calming waters and the lush landscape was the highlight of my stay. This view, coupled with the modern comfort of the room, set a promising stage for what I hoped would be an all-around premium experience.||Dining: A Disheartening Letdown||Unfortunately, the dining experience at the hotel's sister property next door was a stark contrast to the comfort of the accommodations. Despite being under the same hotel group, the restaurant failed to meet the expectations set by the room's standard.||For a hotel of this caliber and price point, I was surprised and disheartened to find the food quality significantly lacking. The meals were far from the high standard one would anticipate, with dishes that were unremarkable and forgettable at best. The dining area was unexpectedly crowded, which detracted from the serene atmosphere one would seek at an onsen resort.||Adding to the dismay, the service at the restaurant was not up to par. The buffet-style setup was poorly managed, with food items running out and no timely refills in sight. This left many guests, myself included, waiting for the chance to sample dishes that were advertised but not available.||Final Thoughts: A Juxtaposition of Quality||In conclusion, the Lake Toya Onsen Hotel offers a mixed experience. While the rooms provide a luxurious and modern retreat with breathtaking views, the dining experience offered by the adjacent hotel under the same brand was a letdown. The lack of quality and service in the restaurant did not match the price nor the reputation of the hotel group.||I walked away with a longing for the peaceful moments in the onsen and the beauty of Lake Toya but with the hope that the hotel will address these inconsistencies for future guests. The potential for a truly exceptional stay is there, yet it's overshadowed by the dining experience, which I cannot overlook. Guests considering this property should come for the views and the onsen but set their dining expectations accordingly or explore local...

During my recent travels, I had the opportunity to stay at a well-known onsen hotel overlooking the picturesque Lake Toya. While there were some high points to this establishment, I must share a candid account of the experiences that ranged from exceptional to unfortunately subpar.||Room and Amenities: A Modern Lakeside Haven||The hotel's accommodations were a true delight. The room boasted a modern decor with clean lines and a soothing color palette that created a serene atmosphere. The in-room amenities included a space designed for relaxation after enjoying the onsen, which I found quite thoughtful. The onsen experience itself was elevated by the spectacular view of Lake Toya, providing a tranquil escape and a feast for the eyes.||Waking up to the serene view of the lake with its calming waters and the lush landscape was the highlight of my stay. This view, coupled with the modern comfort of the room, set a promising stage for what I hoped would be an all-around premium experience.||Dining: A Disheartening Letdown||Unfortunately, the dining experience at the hotel's sister property next door was a stark contrast to the comfort of the accommodations. Despite being under the same hotel group, the restaurant failed to meet the expectations set by the room's standard.||For a hotel of this caliber and price point, I was surprised and disheartened to find the food quality significantly lacking. The meals were far from the high standard one would anticipate, with dishes that were unremarkable and forgettable at best. The dining area was unexpectedly crowded, which detracted from the serene atmosphere one would seek at an onsen resort.||Adding to the dismay, the service at the restaurant was not up to par. The buffet-style setup was poorly managed, with food items running out and no timely refills in sight. This left many guests, myself included, waiting for the chance to sample dishes that were advertised but not available.||Final Thoughts: A Juxtaposition of Quality||In conclusion, the Lake Toya Onsen Hotel offers a mixed experience. While the rooms provide a luxurious and modern retreat with breathtaking views, the dining experience offered by the adjacent hotel under the same brand was a letdown. The lack of quality and service in the restaurant did not match the price nor the reputation of the hotel group.||I walked away with a longing for the peaceful moments in the onsen and the beauty of Lake Toya but with the hope that the hotel will address these inconsistencies for future guests. The potential for a truly exceptional stay is there, yet it's overshadowed by the dining experience, which I cannot overlook. Guests considering this property should come for the views and the onsen but set their dining expectations accordingly or explore local...

I spent over ¥180,000 (about £950) for a 2 night stay at this hotel, and the service was absolutely ridiculous.

First, the restaurant service was rude. A staff member walked up to me and started asking about my dining arrangements tomorrow while I’m taking a phone call during my dinner. Even after I repeatedly told her “Later,” she kept politely but persistently pushing, until I had to directly tell her that “I’m on my phone” to stop her.

Second, the shower room’s glass window directly faces Lake Toya with no curtains or blinds, meaning anyone outside can clearly see inside (I checked from my balcony and it’s very clear). The hotel prohibits access to the outdoor area, but for anyone who concerns about privacy, this is still extremely uncomfortable. When I asked if there was any way to cover it, the response was, “All rooms are like this, but we can give you some towels if that helps.” (For context, there’ve been past cases of drone peeping incidents around hotels in this areas, and no real action was taken.)

Lastly, the hotel does not provide luggage assistance. On the day of checkout, I asked if they could help bring my luggage downstairs (I had two suitcases) and was flat-out refused. Because of this, I was delayed by 10 minutes, and my pre-booked taxi got canceled.

Ironically, as I was leaving, a gentleman helped carry my luggage outside—I thought he was a hotel staff member, but it turned out he was the taxi driver. Apparently, the local taxi service provides better service than the hotel lol.

Overall, I wouldn’t recommend staying here. This hotel is full of excessive politeness with no practical service. The restaurant staff will keep bowing until your elevator doors close, yet they do nothing to actually assist with real needs.

For the price I paid, a high-end ryokan should offer more personalized service. I wasn’t demanding that they fulfill every request, but when none of my concerns were addressed, it felt more like an overpriced...