IHG Hotels & Resorts operates 21 hotel brands with more than 6,963 hotels in more than 100 countries. In Japan, the company currently operates about 61 hotels under 10 brands from Hokkaido to Okinawa (as of April 2026). For this interview, we asked Mr. Benjamin Reitgep, General Manager of InterContinental Sapporo, about the attractions around the hotel.
Name: InterContinental Sapporo
Location: 1-1-48, Minami 10-jo Nishi 1-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
–How did you come to work at the InterContinental Sapporo?
I have been involved with the InterContinental brand in Tokyo, Bangkok, and Bali, and I was eager to take on the opportunity to launch the first brand in this region.
Being involved in the opening of the first InterContinental Hotel in Sapporo is an extremely valuable opportunity, and I find it very rewarding to be able to convey the charm of this city and Hokkaido to guests in Japan and abroad.
–What kind of hotel is it?
The InterContinental Sapporo is an “urban sanctuary” that combines tranquility and serenity in the heart of the city. From the moment you arrive, you will feel the charm of this unique place.
Guest rooms offer a unique view of Sapporo, with the Toyohira River on one side and the mountains stretching to Shikotsu-Toya National Park on the other. The hotel’s sophisticated service and world-class facilities will make you feel at home and leave you with long-lasting memories of your stay.
–What is the InterContinental Sapporo’s unique experience?
Personalized service is offered at every turn, including the in-house dining and club lounge. The wellness program is particularly distinctive, offering experiences that deeply reset the body and mind, such as a floating bath with sound therapy in the heated indoor pool and morning yoga.
Another attraction is the concierge team’s suggestions for local experiences. Our concierge team will guide you to special experiences that can only be experienced in this region, including activities unique to Hokkaido, such as dog sledding in winter.
–please let me know if you have any personal favorites tourist spots or restaurants in the vicinity of the hotel.
For sightseeing, we often recommend the observatory at the top of Mt. The panoramic view of the Sapporo cityscape is breathtaking, and finding a place for your hotel and admiring the expanse of the city is one of the most enjoyable parts of the trip.
As for restaurants, our favorite is Usuino Meat and Seafood Robata Shinshin, a robatayaki restaurant. This is one of those places where you can enjoy seafood and meat grilled over charcoal in a relaxed atmosphere, a charm that is uniquely Hokkaido.
–What restaurant menu do you recommend?
This is a rare part of “Ichibo” from restaurant “SAWAKA”. It is grilled at once in a Spanish charcoal oven “Josper” to bring out the aroma and fine flavor of the charcoal fire.
–What souvenirs do you recommend?
This is the hotel’s original bath salt, available in all guest rooms and for sale. It incorporates ingredients such as lavender and white birch that remind us of Hokkaido’s natural bounty, and was developed to be enjoyed in larger Japanese bathtubs.
The fragrance is not only relaxing but also refreshing, allowing you to feel the lingering scent of InterContinental Sapporo and Hokkaido at home.
© Source travel watch