Hotel Livemax Hakata-ekimae

The room smelled bad, and spraying didn’t get rid of it. It reminded me of a very humid, poorly maintained inn or motel, the kind of smell I’ve only encountered in South Asia. If you have another option, stay somewhere else.

The front desk staff spoke clear English and were lovely to us. My husband and I stayed for three days during our trip, and the tiny room suited us perfectly. I wouldn’t suggest it if you like having a big room, but for us the experience was absolutely amazing!

The location is great, and the beds are comfortable. I slept really well. But after spending over a week in Japan, this was below the standard I’d found elsewhere, even at cheaper hotels. The room was dirty and very dusty, with garbage under the bed. My wife is sensitive to dust and was badly affected. The management didn’t seem Japanese, and you could feel and see the difference. A sad stay. The door sign did make me laugh :-)

I’d only consider this place as a last resort around Hakata Station. The hotel feels old and worn, and service is kept to a bare minimum in what seems like a low-cost operation. There’s no “Live” or “Max.” Check-out at 10 am is too early. They sell electronic shisha at the check-in counter for use in rooms, and the clerk told me the smell lingers. Other chains nearby are newer, cleaner, and safer. Avoid it if you can.