Hakodate Station Haven: Unbeatable FLEXSTAY INN Deals!
Hakodate Station Haven: Unbeatable FLEXSTAY INN Deals! - My Surprisingly Okay Adventure (and the Weirdly Good Coffee)
Okay, people. Let's be honest. Hakodate? Beautiful. FLEXSTAY INN? Sounds… utilitarian. But I’m here to tell you, after my recent stay at this Hakodate Station-adjacent haven (they really hammer home that location, by the way), it was… actually pretty decent. And honestly, for the price? Unbeatable? Maybe. Let's dive in, shall we? This is going to be messy, and probably a bit all over the place, just like my brain when I'm sleep-deprived from traveling.
SEO & Metadata - (Let's get this over with first, ugh. SEO is like… homework):
- Keywords: Hakodate, FLEXSTAY INN, Hakodate Station, Hotel Review, Budget Hotel, Accessibility, Wi-Fi, Japan, Travel, Hokkaido, Deals, Cleanliness, On-site Amenities, Restaurants, Spa, Swimming Pool, Free Wi-Fi, Family-Friendly, Location, Reviews.
- Title: Hakodate Station Haven: Unbeatable FLEXSTAY INN Deals! (My Surprisingly Good Stay)
- Description: Honest review of FLEXSTAY INN Hakodate, near the station! Discover the good (free Wi-Fi, convenient location) and the… less good (see below). Accessibility, amenities, and real traveler insights included. Is it really unbeatable? Find out!
Alright, onto the actual review. Brace yourselves.
Getting There (and the Stress of Almost Missing My Train): Access
Okay, massive points for accessibility right off the bat. Literally FIVE minutes from Hakodate Station. I was sprinting – and I mean sprinting – because I almost missed my connection from Sapporo. The location is seriously GOLD. Even with my ridiculously over-packed suitcase and a near-death experience with a vending machine (more on that later), making it felt practically effortless.
- Airport Transfer: Didn’t need it, thanks to the train, but the convenience of the station makes any airport transfer a breeze.
- Car Park [free of charge] & Car Park [on-site], Car power charging station, Bicycle parking: Seemed plentiful, though I wasn't driving. Good to know the options are there.
- Elevator: Crucial! My weary legs and suitcase loved this.
- Accessibility (General): Need to say more? Literally the name is "Hakodate Station Haven". I saw a few folks in wheelchairs, navigating the hotel and the area easily.
(Deep Breath) Right. The hotel. The FLEXSTAY INN-ness.
The Room: (Function Over… Well, Everything Else, Basically) Available in all rooms…
Okay, the rooms are… efficient. Let's put it that way. Functional. Think of it as a very well-organized box. BUT, and this is a big but…
- Wi-Fi [free]: Glorious. Actually fast, and reliable. Couldn’t live without it for my work.
- Internet access – wireless & Internet access – LAN: Got both, which is always good for redundancy.
- Air conditioning & Heating: Necessary in Hokkaido! Worked perfectly.
- Blackout curtains: Bless them. Essential for recovering from jet lag or, you know, general exhaustion.
- Bed (Extra long bed): Not the plushest, but comfortable enough.
- Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea: Yes! This is where the "surprisingly good" part comes in. The coffee… was actually decent. Seriously, I need coffee. I survive on coffee. And theirs… it hit the spot. I had at least four cups every morning, and I'm still wondering what blend they use. It was like a tiny, caffeinated oasis.
- Refrigerator: Awesome for keeping my yakisoba cold. (Priorities, people!)
- Safety/security feature & In-room safe box: Peace of mind.
- Satellite/cable channels, On-demand movies: Didn’t watch, too busy exploring. But the options were there.
- Shower, Separate shower/bathtub: The water pressure was amazing. A total win after a long day.
- Toiletries: The usual hotel stuff, nothing fancy. Did the job.
- Window that opens: Needed some fresh air sometimes.
- Desk, Laptop workspace: Useful for work.
- Room decorations: Non-existent but not terrible.
- Wake-up service: Did not test.
- Soundproofing: Honestly, it was pretty good. Barely heard anything.
- Non-smoking: Thank goodness.
- Additional toilet, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Carpeting, Closet, Complimentary bottled water, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm: All were good.
Cleanliness and Safety: (Pandemic Era Stuff)
Okay, important stuff. I'm a clean freak, even before Covid. I was actually impressed.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Check.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Noticed it.
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Felt fresh.
- Rooms sanitized between stays Definitely felt clean.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: They seemed to know what they were doing.
- Individually-wrapped food options: Yep, mostly.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Mostly observed.
- Safe dining setup Was available at the restaurants.
- Sterilizing equipment, Hygiene certification, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: They are serious about this, which is a huge relief.
- First aid kit, Doctor/nurse on call: Never needed them, thankfully.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: (The Coffee, The Restaurant, The Near-Miss with the Vending Machine)
Okay, so this is where things get… uneven.
- Breakfast [buffet]: Included, and was… okay. Standard Japanese/Western fare. The coffee, though! Still amazing.
- Restaurants, Asian and Western cuisine in restaurant, and Coffee/tea in restaurant: The main restaurant (which doubled as the breakfast area) had nice views.
- Snack bar: Didn't use it.
- Room service [24-hour]: Tempting, but I was out exploring.
- A la carte in restaurant: I had the Ramen once for dinner. It was good!
- Poolside bar: Did not see one.
- Desserts in restaurant, Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant : The options were good
- Bar: Did not use it.
- Food delivery: Used it once. Worked well.
- Bottle of water: Included.
- **Vegetarian restaurant: ** Not sure on that one.
- Poolside bar: They may have had a pool, but I wasn’t aware of one.
And now, the vending machine incident. This is where I almost lost it. I was desperate for a can of Coke, after a long day. The machine… it ate my money. Then, it started flashing error messages. I stared at it, defeated, for a solid five minutes, before I decided to give up and go back to my room. The injustice! The indignity! I've never felt so connected to a vending machine. And I didn’t make a scene. I think this is the main reason I’ll come back.
The Amenities (or Lack Thereof - The REAL Question…Spa, Pool, Gym?):
Okay, so this is where the "budget" aspect really shows. There were no fancy amenities or Spa/sauna/steamroom/gym/fitness center/massage/Body scrub/Body wrap/Pool with view/Swimming pool/Swimming pool [outdoor]. But, for the price, and the location? Not a dealbreaker.
Services and Conveniences: (Standard, mostly, but Good)
- Front desk [24-hour], Check-in/out [express], Contactless check-in/out: Efficient. Quick. No fuss.
- Luggage storage: Essential, and it worked perfectly.
- Daily housekeeping, Laundry service, Ironing service: Standard and reliable.
- Concierge: Never needed one.
- Currency exchange, Cash withdrawal: Fine.
- Elevator: A lifesaver.
- Air conditioning in public area: Not
Okay, buckle up, buttercup. You think you want a travel itinerary? You think you can handle the raw, unfiltered chaos of MY Hakodate experience? Prepare yourself, because we're not just going to a hotel, we're living it. And trust me, there are parts of this I’d rather forget.
FLEXSTAY INN Hakodate Station - A Love/Hate Affair (Mostly Love, Let's Be Real)
Days 1-3: Arrival & Initial Hakodate Shock
Day 1: The Arrival…and the Ramen Meltdown (Kind Of)
- Morning (ish) (8:00 AM - 10:00 AM): Flight lands at Hakodate Airport. The joy! The crisp Hokkaido air! The faint smell of…seaweed? Okay, I'm here. Immigration was surprisingly painless. (Score!)
- Mid-morning (10:30 AM - 11:30 AM): Airport Bus to Hakodate Station (easy peasy, lemon squeezy, a good sign). Arrived at Flexstay Inn. First impressions? Clean, functional, and… surprisingly small. My room felt like a meticulously arranged shoebox, but the view out the slightly fogged window.
- Afternoon (12:00 PM - 2:00 PM): Lunch at the Hakodate Morning Market. Oh. My. GOD. The seafood. The colors! The smells! I dove headfirst into a bowl of ramen so good, I almost wept tears of joy (it was probably more from the chilli oil, but still…). Then, disaster. I somehow managed to spill half of my bowl all over myself. Let’s just say I looked like a possessed sea creature for a while. (Lesson learned: Don’t wear a white shirt, especially when face-first in ramen.)
- Afternoon/Early Evening (2:30 PM - 5:00 PM): Checked into the hotel (finally, and a nice friendly face to give me my keycard), and then just…collapsed. Jet lag is a cruel mistress, especially after the ramen tsunami. Recovering, I thought I'd head out.
- Evening (6:00 PM - 9:00 PM): The first walk. I walked aimlessly- it was a mess. I felt totally helpless. I got lost, it was dark, and the air was bitingly cold. But the street food! Yakitori! I found a lovely little yakitori place after wandering until I felt like I would faint from hunger and cold. The food was amazing, and the tiny bar was filled with the kind of people you only ever see in movies. I returned to the hotel totally exhausted.
Day 2: Goryokaku Fort & My Existential Crisis
- Morning (8:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Goryokaku Fort. I'd seen the pictures, the stunning star-shaped fortress from above. I went to the Goryokaku Tower (the view was indeed spectacular from the top, but… crowded. Apparently, everyone else had the same idea, or they knew something I didn't). The history was fascinating, but as I looked out at the majestic scenery…I found myself staring at the wall! I have to change things, or I am going to just be a traveler. This is not what I want to be.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM - 4:00 PM): Exploring the surrounding park. It was beautiful, peaceful, serene. I sat there for what felt like hours, thinking.
- Evening (6:00 PM - 9:00 PM): Dinner and a stroll to Motomachi. The church buildings were beautiful, and I made my way up the slope. I felt like a film character out of a movie. The street food was mediocre. I felt a bit deflated.
Day 3: Mount Hakodate and the Night View (and a Near-Miss Disaster)
- Afternoon (3:00 PM - 5:00 PM): I was determined to do Mount Hakodate after the previous disappointing experience. I took the ropeway up with a small crowd of people and felt the same fear as everyone. The view. OH. MY. GOD. It was worth every single second.
- Evening (5:30 PM- 8:00 PM): Dinner at a seafood place near the station. I was determined to find crab and sushi. I ordered so much I couldn't move. It was the best meal of the trip so far.
The Hotel, Briefly
The FLEXSTAY INN was…fine. Clean, functional, decent location. The staff were polite but not overly friendly (perfect – leave me alone, I'm recovering from my ramen trauma). Free Wi-Fi saved my sanity, and the vending machines were a life-saver. I'd stay there again, but only because it was convenient and I'm not exactly rolling in dough.
Day 4-5: The Aftermath & The Hakodate Haze
Day 4: Ouch. My feet, my emotions.
- Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM): I woke up with such a bad headache. I had a light breakfast at the hotel and decided to get a massage.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM - 4:00 PM): I wandered around the city, trying to recover from my fatigue and illness. I decided to buy some medicine.
- Evening (6:00 PM - 9:00 PM): I had some ramen for dinner and went back to the hotel.
Day 5: Departure (Thank God)
- (8:00 AM): Final breakfast (toast and instant coffee – the luxury!). Checked out of the hotel. Goodbye to Hakodate, for now.
- (10:00 AM): Shinkansen to… well, wherever the hell I'm going next.
Final Thoughts (and Rambling Aftermath)
Hakodate was…a rollercoaster. The food was unreal, the views were stunning, and the experience was overwhelming in good and bad ways. I felt incredibly happy, and then incredibly miserable. I'd go back – of course, I would – but next time, I'm bringing a friend. And a hazmat suit for ramen. And maybe a therapist in my pocket. You know, just in case.
Luxury 2-Bed Glasgow Gem: SEC & M8 Access! Hydro Views!
Hakodate Station Haven: FLEXSTAY INN Deals - Your Brain's Official FAQ Guide (Trust Me, I've Been There!)
Okay, so... FLEXSTAY INN at Hakodate Station? What's the actual deal? Is it worth my precious travel budget?
Alright, picture this: you're bleary-eyed after a long flight (or train ride, if you're smart and avoided the airport drama like me). You've got that "travel fatigue" hug going on, and all you crave is a clean bed and maybe, just maybe, a vending machine with suspiciously tasty Japanese soda. FLEXSTAY INN at Hakodate Station *kinda* delivers on that dream. It's right there, smack-dab beside the station. Huge win! This isn't the Ritz, let's be real. Think practical, comfortable, and, crucially, CHEAP! And yes, based on my own incredibly discerning (and frequently exhausted) travel experiences, it's probably worth your budget. Unless you're, like, REALLY into marble bathrooms and butler service. Then... well, you've clearly come to the wrong blog.
Is it *actually* close to the station? Because I swear, "close" can mean anything these days.
Listen, I have a notoriously terrible sense of direction. I once got *lost* in a Costco. So, when I say it's close, believe me. It's literally *right there*. You stumble out of the station, and boom – you're practically tripping over the hotel entrance. That's a massive advantage if you're lugging suitcases the size of small cars. I'm pretty sure I saw a sign for it from the train platform. Okay, maybe I was imagining that because my eyes were glazed over with exhaustion, but it's CLOSE. Trust me on this. It makes catching that early morning train to whatever gorgeous vista Hakodate has to offer, like Mount Hakodate, a breeze – or at least, a slightly less painful shuffle.
What are the rooms like? Do I need to bring my own sleeping bag? (Joking… mostly).
The rooms... well, they're functional. Think strategically designed to maximize space. You're not getting a penthouse suite, that's for SURE. But that's not the point! The point is clean, and a decent bed. They're simple, which, honestly, sometimes is EXACTLY what you need when you've been exploring a city all day. Comfortable, they have the basics – a bed (thank goodness), a tiny bathroom (with all the essentials), questionable air conditioning (sometimes it doesn't work, but hey, Hakodate isn't always known for its scorching heat), and a small TV. I once thought my TV was broken, but it finally turned on, in what felt like a victorious moment. No, you do NOT need a sleeping bag. They provide sheets and whatnot, just like a normal hotel. (But you know, if you *really* want to, I won't stop you...).
Are there any secret, incredibly awesome, hidden perks? Like, a free unlimited supply of delicious seaweed snacks?
Okay, hold on to your seaweed-snack-loving hats. While there isn't a *free*, unlimited seaweed snack buffet (darn!), here’s the lowdown on the good stuff I discovered:
**1. Convenience:** I've already mentioned the location, but seriously, it's gold! You can dash to the station to catch your train, grab a quick bite at the shops, or just plain escape the rain. (Hakodate can be a moody city weather-wise.)
**2. Free Wi-Fi:** Essential. Gotta post those Instagram photos of the stunning Hakodate scenery, right?
**3. Vending Machines Galore:** I love vending machines. They offer a delightful variety of caffeine and sugar. Plus, they're a lifesaver when you arrive late at night and everything else is closed and you're desperate for a snack.
**4. Laundry Facilities:** If you're traveling for a while, this is a godsend! Laundry is a constant battle for a traveler. Having accessible machines inside the hotel is a major win.
**5. The "Deal" Part:** Let's be real, FLEXSTAY Inn is all about value for money. They often have great deals. Check online before booking!
Is it noisy? Like, will I get a good night's sleep, or will I be listening to train horns all night?
Okay, okay, the noise situation... This is where it gets a little tricky. It *is* right next to a train station, after all. But honestly? It's not usually a deal-breaker. The walls are pretty decent (I think). I'm a light sleeper, and I managed to get some sleep. Now, I'm also a person who can fall asleep on a park bench in a rainstorm, so take that with a grain of salt. Bring earplugs just in case. Or, like me, be so exhausted from the day's adventures that you'll sleep through a marching band practicing in your room. (Hey, a girl can dream...) The trains don't run ALL night, and Hakodate is generally a pretty quiet city. You should be fine. Probably.
So, the staff... polite, helpful, or leave-me-alone type?
The staff at FLEXSTAY Inn are generally polite and helpful. They're efficient, which is great when you're just trying to check in and collapse. Don't expect a ton of small talk (this isn’t the Ritz Carlton). They're good at their jobs, and they're not going to annoy you, which, honestly, is what I want in a hotel staff. If you need something, they're there to help. If you don't need anything, they leave you alone. I'd say it's a good balance of functionality with a respectful distance. I tried to say "Arigato," to them every time I saw them. I'm pretty sure they appreciated it, even if they didn't show it! (And let's be honest, after trekking through Japan, I just wanted to melt in my bed, so their distance was actually a godsend.)
What's the food situation like? Is there breakfast? Restaurants nearby? Do I need to pack instant ramen? (Again, mostly joking).
Alright, the food situation. Here’s the skinny: FLEXSTAY Inn *usually* doesn't include breakfast. So, bring your instant ramen (just kidding... mostly). Fortunately, Hakodate Station is a food paradise! You've got a ton of options right at your doorstep.
* **The Station Itself:** Restaurants, cafes, and shops selling *everything*. You can grab a bento box, some fresh seafood (Hakodate is famous for its delicious seafood), or just a quick coffee. Perfect for a quick and relatively inexpensive meal.
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