Hotel Sonia Otaru
8,1/10 Excellent - Based on 1352 reviews
Hotel Sonia Otaru stands a short walk from Otaru Station beside the canal, its European‑style façade and antique‑furnished interiors framing canal views from selected rooms. The property comprises an original main building and a newer north wing opened in 2018, offering compact twin rooms and larger deluxe options with work desks and large windows suited to sightseers. Practical check-in is from 15:00 with check-out at 11:00, and the location places guests within easy reach of the canal, local museums and the Sakaimachi shopping street.
Dining centres on SUSHI & GRILL IL ONAI, an open‑kitchen sushi and grill restaurant showcasing Hokkaido ingredients, and SONIA COFFEE, a French‑press café serving house pastries such as financier and haskap cake. Breakfast is offered and the hotel provides a small lobby lounge and curated art displays in public areas. Practical services include multilingual reception, Wi‑Fi throughout, luggage storage and a modest on‑site parking area, useful for guests combining day trips around the region with evening walks along the canal.
The hotel’s seventh‑floor natural bath, named Otaru Canal Hot Spring, provides gender‑separated large baths: the men’s bath overlooks the canal while the women’s bath includes an open‑air section. The spring is a sodium chloride‑sulfate type; the facility uses heated and circulated water and typically operates in afternoon/evening and early‑morning shifts (around 15:00–24:00 and 6:00–10:00). Towels are not supplied in the public baths and guests with tattoos are asked to use concealment stickers. For visitors seeking a ryokan with onsen in Hokkaido, the property pairs city‑centre access with on‑site bathing, making it a practical hot‑spring stop in Otaru.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Hotel Sonia Otaru
Positive Reviews
Excellent central location by the canal
Many guests praised the hotel's prime position directly opposite the Otaru Canal — convenient for sightseeing, shopping and restaurants and within walking distance of the train station.
Canal-view rooms and balconies
Multiple reviewers noted they had canal-facing rooms or balconies with pleasant views (sunrise, festival fireworks), and advised booking early to secure these rooms.
Spacious, comfortable rooms and good value
Several guests reported large, comfortable rooms and very comfortable beds; many felt the stay offered good value, particularly for families who could get side‑by‑side rooms.
Friendly/helpful staff and convenient on-site services
Many reviewers appreciated helpful front‑desk staff, convenient parking management (including staff holding spaces), the hotel onsen and additional services such as a cafe and massage area.
Strong food and beverage options (breakfast, cafe, dinner)
Guests highlighted a good breakfast spread and dinner options in the hotel restaurant, plus a cafe with excellent coffee and satisfactory dining convenience.
Negative Reviews
Bathrooms are dated or in need of renovation
Numerous comments mentioned worn, small or tired bathroom facilities (bathtub wear, cramped layouts) and suggestions that bathroom areas need updating.
Room furniture and decor feel old or worn
Several reviews described scratched or run‑down furniture, antique‑style pieces that showed wear ( greasy coffee table, drawers not closing properly), giving rooms a slightly outdated feel.
Parking can be limited, paid and sometimes confusing
Guests reported occasional lack of parking during events or festivals, unclear directions about secondary parking behind the hotel, and a paid parking fee (about ¥1,200/day) that some found inconvenient.
Climate control issues and dry/stuffy rooms
A few visitors noted the air‑conditioning could not be freely adjusted between heating and cooling, rooms felt stuffy or too dry and provided humidifiers were not fully effective.
Occasional noise, odors and cleanliness concerns
Isolated reports mentioned nighttime noise, a pungent or unpleasant smell near corridors/lifts, and some cleanliness issues (e.g. balcony not clean), which affected a minority of stays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Rooms vary by type; most standard rooms sleep 2, and some family rooms accommodate up to 3. Check the maximum occupancy shown for each room when booking.
Yes — a natural hot spring large public bath is on the top floor; the men's bath has canal views and the women's bath includes an open-air section. Bath facilities include toiletries and dryers; towels for the public bath should be brought from your room.
The property offers large public onsen facilities; private onsen rental is not listed as a standard option. Contact the hotel directly if you need private-event arrangements or special requests.
There is no regular hotel shuttle listed; the usual route is the rapid train from New Chitose to JR Otaru Station (about 80 minutes) followed by an 8-minute walk. The front desk can help arrange a taxi on arrival.
The hotel is about an 8-minute walk from JR Otaru Station along Chuo Dori. Taxis are also easily arranged from the station or via the hotel reception.
The hotel provides English-language information online and the front desk assists international guests; English support is available but fluency may vary. For detailed requests, email the hotel in advance.
Check-in is from 15:00 (3:00 PM) and check-out is until 11:00 (11:00 AM). Reception is staffed 24 hours a day.
Pets are not permitted at the hotel. For private use of rooms or common facilities for events, contact the hotel in advance to discuss availability and arrangements.
Yes — there is a convenience store within walking distance and the hotel sits close to many shops along Sakaimachi-dori and Sushi Street for basic supplies. Larger supermarkets may require a short taxi or train ride.
The hotel’s on-site restaurant, IL ONAI, serves Japanese dishes including sushi and grill items for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The canal area also offers many local restaurants, cafes and seafood stalls within a short walk.