Hotel Trad Hakata

I switched our booking from another hotel after reading other people's Google reviews, for a trip with my mother and sister, and we were very satisfied. Though it's a little away from the main area, it's still not far. The room was new, clean and spacious compared with a typical Japanese business hotel. Breakfast was very nice. If you like Japanese Nabe, I recommend adding the Nabe option. There's a 7-Eleven on the first floor and a large drug store across the road.

The facilities were tidy and new, the staff were all super friendly, and the stay itself was pleasant. The hotel is near the Sumiyoshi bus stop, making it easy to catch a bus to Hakata or Tenjin. I'd recommend Hotel Trad Hakata to friends and family and would love to come back. I'm especially grateful to Mr. Sakurai. On arrival day, I left my cardholder with my ID and credit card in a taxi. Since I'm not fluent in Japanese, I asked Mr. Sakurai at the front desk for help. He kindly called the taxi company to look for it and arranged to have my things delivered. My phone was nearly dead, and there was no power socket in the lobby, so he even went out of his way to lend me a power bank. His kindness really touched me, and I'll always treasure the experience.

The buffet breakfast was worth the extra cost, with a wide selection and tasty food that felt more like a dinner buffet. There was also a free drink bar and a 7-11 in the lobby. The property is new, well located for attractions, and close to a five-star experience. The rooms are just right for two, and our smaller suitcases fit perfectly under the bench.

The hotel had too many strange rules compared with other places we've stayed. I wanted to sit somewhere quiet for a break, but the dining area was off limits when food wasn't being served, leaving the tiny, crowded lobby with 15 or more tour group guests. In the morning, I wanted coffee, but the machines in the dining area weren't available until after 2 p.m. There was nobody dining there, and I didn't like the coffee bags in our room. There are only two elevators, and they stopped on every floor. About every 20 minutes a large tour group was checking in or waiting for one, so getting around took ages. The room was clean, but its layout wasted space: the bench by the twin bed and fridge made things awkward. There were three of us, and the room and hallway felt crammed. We had to step over each other's luggage to get to the bathroom or hall. The double bed was pushed against the window curtains, so going to the bathroom meant waking the person beside you.