Business Hotel YANAGI Kitakyushu Kokura

The accommodation fee is quite reasonable, and the free curry at breakfast is tasty. The facility itself wasn’t very clean.

The front desk staff were helpful and friendly, and all the amenities were provided. The guest rooms feel a little old, but they were carefully cleaned. It’s a short walk from Kokura Station, and the place has the look of a traditional business hotel.

For a Saturday booked three days ahead, I paid 4,400 yen, and I think it was a great deal. The relaxed service suited me: I gave the information they needed, then could just do my own thing. Women get complimentary amenities, while men get razors, body washcloths, and toothbrushes. I’d recommend it for work or students. The hotel is quiet despite being close to the station, and there are lots of restaurants within walking distance. A convenience store right outside made it feel safe even at night. The free Wi-Fi was strong and reassuring. My semi-double room was on the small side, but since I was only sleeping there, it was fine. The room had a fairly new air conditioner, and even though it was a smoking room, there wasn’t an odor. The air purifier seemed to pick up some smell when I got close, but it didn’t affect how it worked or the scent of the room. The bathroom was generally clean and odorless, though there was some dirt in the door vent and a small gap. That shouldn’t bother you unless you’re especially picky. I liked being able to adjust the shower’s temperature and pressure from strong to weak. The high-resilience bed may cause aches if you’re not used to it. The fridge was small but had a simple freezer. There were mugs but no glasses, and mineral water was free. Other items included a hair dryer and alarm. Breakfast is free, so don’t expect too much. The curry rice and bread are all-you-can-eat. The curry was pretty average, but the two kinds of bread were good, especially toasted. The butter had softened quite a bit after a while, even though I arrived early. There was also shredded cabbage, more like a salad, spaghetti with mayonnaise, and hard-boiled eggs, with salt and French dressing. Instant corn soup, tea, coffee, unlimited 100% orange juice, and water were available too.

I found an available place near the station online for my mother and me, and the location really was convenient. But the facilities were old and awful. Even though we booked a month ahead, there was only one pair of slippers in the room. They did have basic ones, so we couldn’t use matching pairs. The tea set cups didn’t match either, and there was a hair on the pillow that I couldn’t identify. The complimentary breakfast was instant corn soup and a large, dry serving of shredded cabbage. The breakfast was okay, but the room left me dissatisfied, and I don’t think I’ll return. Thanks for your help.