Stayed at OMO7 Asahikawa by Hoshino Resorts in April and unfortunately this was one of the most disappointing hotel experiences we have had in Japan. We originally booked for two nights but checked out after one night as we did not feel comfortable staying in the environment the hotel presented.
The property feels like a superficial cosmetic makeover of the former Asahikawa Grand Hotel rather than a properly renovated hotel. Everywhere you look, it feels makeshift and “cut-and-paste” — as if temporary decorations and quick fixes were used to disguise a building that has largely been abandoned or partially shut down. The atmosphere honestly felt like staying inside an event setup being held in a closed hotel rather than a functioning hospitality property.
Many parts of the building are boarded up with half-width hoardings and sticker coverings attempting to hide unused or deteriorating facilities. Large portions of what was once clearly a full-service five-star hotel simply appear closed off because the hotel no longer wants to operate or maintain them. The contrast between old infrastructure and cosmetic additions creates a very mismatched and strange atmosphere throughout the property.
The room itself was also in poor condition despite attempts at cosmetic touch-ups. It reminded us of Christmas decorations covering flaws rather than genuine refurbishment. The air conditioning was not functioning properly and the room became unbearably hot — literally like an oven. Service throughout the stay also felt very bare minimum and oddly defensive at times, with staff often giving reasons why something could not be done rather than trying to assist guests.
One particularly frustrating example: we called reception to ask for a fan due to the heat in the room and were told to come downstairs to collect it ourselves. After going down, we were then informed guests actually could not take the fan themselves and staff had to bring it to the room anyway. The entire interaction simply made no sense and reflected the overall operational attitude of the property.
Even basic infrastructure felt abandoned. The original tower parking appeared no longer maintained, with guests redirected to parking lots far away from the hotel, seemingly as another cost-saving measure. Existing facilities from the former hotel have largely been hidden away, boarded up, or disguised rather than properly upgraded.
The underground onsen was especially disappointing — extremely dated, poorly maintained, and honestly felt abandoned and unclean rather than relaxing. It lacked the level of upkeep and care one would normally expect from a Japanese hotel experience.
Overall, this hotel feels less like a thoughtfully reimagined property and more like a financially stripped-down operation trying to cosmetically cover the decline of a once grand hotel. Very disappointing, especially under the Hoshino Resorts branding.
AI Summary
