Hotel Route Inn Hakata Ekimae

The hotel feels cozy, though a little dated. My room had a bath, and there's also a public bath downstairs in the basement. We enjoyed the Japanese restaurant there too and have already reviewed it. It's very close to Hakata Station, but use the overhead bridge connecting to the Hakata bus station to cross over. There's no pedestrian crossing at street level nearby. The bridge has both elevators and escalators. Free coffee is available in the lobby at set times. Breakfast is a typical Japanese buffet, with natto and yogurt that I liked, as well as croissants, bread, and jam. The Wi-Fi was fast and strong.

The location is great, but the hotel is in bad shape. The rooms and hallways feel worn and dirty, with musty rooms and that old-hotel grime some people may accept. The decor looks like a Japanese hotel from the late 80s. The lobby has a dirty old-Japan smell, and in winter it's always far too hot because they run the heat so high. The HVAC unit was really dirty. When I pointed it out, they laughed and told me not to touch it. The AC mostly didn't work, so the room was stuffy. Loud tourists in the lobby made the whole experience miserable too. I won't return. There are much better options nearby.

The room felt dated and cramped, and there was a strange smell in the corridor. The good thing is the location: right by Hakata Station on a fairly quiet side road, with easy access to the main shopping spots.

I was here for two nights on a group trip to Japan. The beds could have been softer, and there was quite a bit of noise outside in the evenings. Still, it was a nice stay otherwise. Hakata Station is close, which also means you're near shopping and transport.