I arrived at the Renaiisance Sapporo today. I flew into Chitose Airport from Hong Kong, an international arrival. The only ATMs in the terminal are in the domestic departure area, across from the ANA electronic check-in machines. You have to go upstairs and down the terminal quite a ways from international arrivals.

There are several alternatives to get to the hotel - taxi, train and bus. FTer Yasuki had graciously sent me information in advance on using the train. (This FTer is an amazing resource on any Japanese hotel.) I would have had a 10 minute taxi ride at the end, so I decided to take the airport bus. The bus picks up at stops 12 and 24 at the terminal. It is 820 yen to the hotel. It takes 75 minutes or thereabouts. The bus stops immediately in front of the hotel.

The hotel is a tall, impressive property. There is a bakery to the left as you enter, with delicious treats. There is also a large souvenir shop; I think the hotel must get a lot of tour groups.

The check in staff speaks English, yet it is very difficult to comunicate. I am platinum, and wanted to be sure of my club access. They had a room for me on the 11th floor; the club is on the 10th floor. There was an extended period where they thought I wanted to stay on the 10th floor. I simply wanted access. Once I actually saw the club, I really didn:t care. It was a smallish room with no snacks set out. Breakfast is served from 7 to 10am; there are complimentary drinks between 5 and 7.

I chose water and the cheese plate for my platinum amenity. The water was a very small bottle, and the cheese arrived with 5 saltine crackers.

The room is newly renovated and is pleasant. It has a shower stall separate from the tub. Use of the computer in the business center is 750 yen/30 minutes.

There is a courtesy van that goes hourly on the half hour to the nightlife area, and then to the train station. If you get off at the nightlife area and want to go to ramen alley, walk to the corner, cross the street, and turn left. Ramen alley is about one half block down. It is a fascinating block lined entirely with ramen restaurants. If you go to the train station, you are actually let off about 1 1/2 blocks away. Go to the corner, turn left, and walk straight ahead into the train station. If you want to take a bus tour, take the steps just before the train station that go to the right to the 2nd floor of the Big Camera building. You'll find the ticket office for Chao Bus, which offers excellent day tours of Sapporo as well as surrounding areas.