With unmatched cleanliness, maximum comfort, and state-of-the-art facilities, it almost feels insulting to call Lestel Maru a hostel.
Located at and named after Maruyama Park, Lestel Maru offers you a pole position between Sapporo’s city and country.
A 10-minute walk one way and you can enjoy the beautiful cherry blossom trees of Maruyama Park and a 10-minute walk in the other direction and you’ll see the amazing Sapporo TV Tower looming over you.
Super Easy Check-In System
Checking in at Lestel Maru is a super-easy process that requires no human interaction whatsoever.
Simply use the touchscreen tablets in the common area and fill in your check-in details.
Make sure to refer to your confirmation email for your check-in details and for the elevator pin code.
Once you’ve entered your information and scanned your passport, the ticket machine will print out your capsule number and passcode for the door.
Comfortable, Convenient, Cost-Effective
I know what you’re thinking, “how can sleeping in a capsule possibly be comfortable?”
Fear not, for this is no ordinary capsule. Lestel Maru’s beds are incredibly spacious and wide and long enough to fit even the tallest and broadest of people.
The mattress, blankets, and pillows are comfier than anything I’ve slept with at home, and the room’s dehumidifiers keep the air quality perfect.
There is also plenty of space underneath the bed to store your luggage and belongings, and you also get your own light, fan, power sockets, and mini-bedside table in the capsule!
Spotless Bathroom & Shower Facilities
Despite being a shared bathroom facility, they are kept incredibly clean and well-maintained.
Unlike other hostels which come down to luck of the draw whether the toilet will be clean when you visit, Lestel Maru’s bathrooms are cleaned by staff multiple times a day.
Furthermore, they have all the necessities including wash basins, hair dryers, toothbrushes and toothpaste, and exceptional shower rooms.
As per the Japanese standard, all toilets come with high-tech bidet features for the perfect clean!
A Freelancer’s Dream Workspace
The common room at Lestel Maru is the ultimate selling point for me. As a freelance writer, I crave quiet cozy areas where I can allow my thoughts to wander and produce my best creative work.
Most hostel common areas are packed with excited travelers playing games and sharing experiences. However, Lestel Maru is a far less “touristy” hostel, with its inhabitants keeping relatively quiet in the common area.
The tables came with power sockets to keep my laptop charged, and the area was almost empty on most days with the occasional fellow freelancer quietly doing their work too.
A Big Thumbs Up!
All-in-all, whether you’re a tourist, a businessman, or a freelancer like myself, you’ll love what Lestel Maru has to offer!
Unlike other hostels, Lestel Maru finds the perfect balance between a holiday hostel and business accommodation.
To get the most out of your stay, I’d recommend finding a work-life balance consisting of a few hours of work and a few hours of leisure every day.
Cheap, comfortable, and located at the heart of Sapporo’s city and country, there’s no better way to enjoy Japan’s beautiful northern island of Hokkaido!
Of course, if you are planning to visit Japan, you’ll need a way to get around the country as efficiently and affordably as possible. Japan Rail provides an abundance of travel passes to suit your travel needs. So whether you are traveling individually or as a group, the JR Pass is every traveler’s go-to for getting around and making the most of your time in Japan!