Otaru, Japan: Hotel Dormy Inn Premium

Location: Just across the JR Otaru station and Otaru Bus terminal.

Security: The elevator says you need to tap your card and press your  floor. But most of the other guests can click on their floors, without even tapping their card.

The hotel also notes to be sure to check accommodation agreements and disaster prevention guides. 

Check-in: You will be encouraged to use their machine counter. English is available.

Coffee is available at the hotel lobby.

Sleepwears are available in the room, but you can also find your size available in the hotel lobby. 

Room:  Typical onsen room with another door leader to the bed area.

Cons: This onsen hotel may be a bit rundown or old.  Dull lights, stained walls and stained seats, dark wood for the cabinet and dark theme.

Anyhow, I choose this hotel for its location rather than the aesthetics.

Check-out: Able to use the machine counter, without any issue.  They allow you to leave your luggage and get it back later.  This is convenient for me as I need to go to the next town, Yoichi, before going to Sapporo.  

Recommendation:  Since I don't want to drag my luggage on snow for long, this place is a good choice for me.

Itinerary: Places to go, Things to see, What to do?

Day	Places to See	Food and Restaurants	Accommodation
1	Otaru Canal	Bikkuri Donkey	Hotel Dormy Inn Premium
2	Otaru Canal Sakaimachi Street Otaru Music Box Museum 出抜き小路 火の見櫓  Observation Deck Japan Post Otaru Tenguyama Ropeway Asari Station	Kitaichi Hall LeTAO Main Store Robataya Turukichi	same
3	Nikka Whisky Hokkaido Factory Guardian Angels Cathedral Sapporo TV Tower Susukino Undeground market between Susukino,  Odori and Sapporo stations	Baristart Coffee	Hotel Forza Sapporo
4	Moai statue in Makomanai Takino Hill of Buddha Royce Town Factory	Lamp Light Books café	same
5	Bibai Snow Land JR Tower Observatory T38	Morihico Coffee T'café	same
6	Hokkaido University Museum Domestic and International areas	Tokuichi Tully's Coffee