Legatio HAKATA

We had a comfortable, good-sized room for three adults and our three-night stay. It had a kitchen with a hob, microwave, fridge, freezer, and washing machine, plus a separate toilet and a small bath and shower. Towels, liquid soap, shampoo, crockery, and cutlery were supplied, though oddly there were no chopsticks. The location worked well for getting around: about a 20-minute walk to Tenjin, with Yakata Station for the airport, Yakuin train station for a day trip to Dazaifu, and Tenzin bus station for Nagasaki. There were also plenty of convenience stores nearby. We never saw any staff, and got the door codes by email or through digital check-in at the hotel. I guess that helps keep the price down.

Getting around wasn't easy, with bus, train, or underground stations all more than a 15-minute walk away. The stay was disappointing from start to finish. The house manual explained how to use the washing machine's dryer, but it turned out there was no dryer function. I asked staff for an extra drying rack for my wet clothes after they offered further help, and they refused. The gas hob stopped working on day three, apparently because its ignition batteries needed replacing. I had to point that out to staff. When one bedside light failed, they asked me to send a photo instead of checking it themselves. Why?

If you're running a hotel, please learn to dust and scrub the bathtub.

The location is decent, around 15 minutes from Hakata Station, close to Canal City, and surrounded by good food. Still, it wouldn't be my first pick for another Fukuoka trip. The rental feels cheap and set up for high volume, with worn amenities and furniture that needs refreshing. The rules are strict, check-in starts late at 5:00pm, and there's no luggage storage.