Residence Hotel Hakata 13

For just 5,000 yen, a room for two without meals is a bargain. It’s near the city center, and check-out is simple, just leave the key in the locker. Check-in is a bit far away and not easy to find. It’s a one-room apartment, so I could relax without worrying about neighbors. The cleaning could be better. They provide amenities, though I’d have liked a hot water kettle and facial soap for women. I’d definitely stay again.

Right in the middle of Tenjin, this place is good value. I stayed at AXIS HAKATA before, which is part of the same chain as this annex of Hatago Tenjin. AXIS was new, quiet, and clean. This residence hotel was older and quiet, but it was a bit dusty and the toilet smelled strongly. Since it’s a dormitory, I’d think of it more as a short-term weekly rental apartment than a hotel. If you keep that in mind, it can be a good choice, though I found some things disappointing. The amenities include towels, bath towels, toothbrush sets, and makeup remover sets with cotton pads and swabs, as at AXIS. There are no razors or pajamas. For multiple-night stays, staff won’t come in to replenish supplies unless you ask. Cups and drinking glasses are provided, but the electric kettle is in the shared area and first come, first served. The microwave is shared there too.

The one advantage was having a microwave. There were plenty of downsides: no slippers or vanity, so I had to use the bathroom mirror, and cold air came through the shower floor and the floor under the curtain. Check-in was at another location, where the staff didn’t greet me and weren’t as friendly as people at other places. It was quite late, at 5 PM. Towels aren’t changed and rooms aren’t cleaned, so you have to wash used towels yourself in the machine. The location felt secluded at night, so I wouldn’t recommend it for women going around alone.

The room is compact but has most of what you need, including towels, toothbrush and toothpaste, a hairdryer, shampoo, conditioner, toilet paper, laundry detergent, dish soap, forks, and spoons. After checking in at Hatago Tenjin Guesthouse and getting the key, you follow the map and use it on the first floor to open the automatic door. There are no cups, plates, or pots, and although dish soap is supplied, there’s no scouring pad. I was told the kettle and microwave were shared on the first floor, but I didn’t spot the kettle until the last day of our 3-night, 4-day trip. I brought it back to the room, saw it didn’t look clean, and put it back without using it. The carpet had long hairs stuck in it several times from the first day, though we have short hair. For the price it wasn’t bad, and the location is decent for getting around Tenjin. I’d probably stay again if I didn’t have a better option.