KOKO HOTEL Hakata Shinkansenguchi

The rooms are about what you'd expect at a three-star hotel in Japan, but location matters more to me. This one is an easy, walkable five minutes from Hakata Station, with a nearby FamilyMart, so it gets five stars for that. The coffee machine also makes unlimited potage, which was really good, better than what I've had at most restaurants. They don't have the usual Japanese hotel breakfast, but you can take bread and different jams to your room. That helps when the second-floor common area gets crowded. Staff were pleasant and respectful, with the typical polite, straightforward service. There are toiletries you can take as needed, and there's also an onsen. Two things bothered me: the fridge was like the ones at Daiwa and Sotetsu, too small for even a small tub of ice cream, and there was only one elevator. We had to wait a few minutes once, and getting a turn during peak checkout time could be difficult.

The library space by the check-in area came in handy, and the staff were also good about looking after our suitcases when we arrived early. The rooms were very clean and comfortable. Hakata Station is close by, with a convenience store and a light market nearby too. There's a Christmas market across from Hakata Station from November 1 through December. Nice bonus, check it out.

I chose this Hotel Wing for my Fukuoka trip after staying at one in Tokyo. It’s a few minutes from Hakata Station's Chikushi Exit, with lots of food options and convenience stores around. The hotel is easy for international travelers to get used to, and I liked how convenient the waste sorting system is. Free coffee and hot drinks are available anytime. The room is quite small and has no real closet, which could be tricky for a longer stay or if you have lots of clothes. The street out front also gets busy in the morning with people going to work or school. I heard Hotel Wing will be merging with Koko soon, and hope the service stays as good. I'd consider coming back.

A good value for the money, with helpful, very nice staff and a clean hotel. There are unlimited self-serve drinks anytime, plus complimentary toiletries to pick up from the concierge. The onsen is available for both men and women. Five stars from me!