Residence Hotel Hakata 8

After a long drive, finding the right place turned into a little treasure hunt. There are so many “Residence Hakata Something” hotels around that we parked at the wrong one, then walked a few kilometres with our luggage. We were sweaty by the time we got to Residence Hotel Hakata Minoshima. Check-in took a bit of figuring out, like cracking a code, but we got in eventually. The room was neat and comfortable, though the headboard had a little dust on it. For a couple of days, it worked well and had what we needed, at a price that didn't hurt. Good shoes and a GPS that understands “Hakata hotel dialect” would help.

For a family of four, this is a nice place to stay, especially if you don't mind walking. We had six people in the room for six nights, though, and it was a real struggle to sleep everyone. The wardrobe took up a lot of space for the size of the room, and we had to shift furniture to open the double futon. The room was clean and had all the amenities. The check-in location is a little far from the hotel, and it takes about 25 minutes to walk to Hakata station.

The neighbours stomped and banged around day and night, and it was a nightmare. I called to complain about the noise, but the staff did absolutely nothing. I had to call the Police twice to stop the constant banging and stomping. The service was the lousiest, and I'd never stay in this horrendous place again.

Our room had two large, comfortable beds, a dining area, a fridge, separate shower and comfort rooms, and a small veranda. The shower had the small bath tub common in Japanese homes. There was a washing machine for washing and drying clothes, two ovens on the ground floor near the elevator, and strong WiFi. It's a quiet residential spot in Hakata, about a five-minute walk from a bus stop for Hakata Station and a ten-minute walk to the Mr. Max grocery store. The only downside was that the check-in counter is at a separate location, 30 to 45 minutes away on foot. With large, heavy luggage, it's better to call a taxi. This place was perfect for me!