The Celecton Kurume

A handy little hotel if you're looking to stay farther from Fukuoka city. There are plenty of restaurants, shops, and conbini around it. The rooms feel snug if you're American, but they're comfortable. The one real downside is that there's only one elevator.

I've stayed here twice. For around HKD$250 a night for a double room, the price is hard to beat. The room is small, as you'd expect in a Japanese business hotel, but the whole hotel felt new and in good shape. There's a public bath, and at check-in the staff explained the password along with the other information. A large coin parking lot is just down the street. I got more than I paid for, so I'd recommend it.

I stayed two nights at Hotel Celecton Kurume with my boyfriend and left upset and disappointed, though I wanted to like the place. We drove there after a long trip and found that all six hotel parking spots were already taken. We had to find a nearby lot, which fortunately cost only about ¥500 for the night, but it was an annoying start. The location is probably the best thing about the hotel, with shops, restaurants, and convenience stores nearby. Check-in was easy. The front desk staff spoke little English, but we managed, and I wasn't expecting perfect English in Japan. Our room was basic, with a bed, desk, and small bathroom. It did the job for a short stay, though it wasn't especially cozy or charming. The vending machines had a good range of drinks, including alcohol, which saved a late-night trip to a convenience store. The public bath setup was where things really bothered me. The women's bath had a passcode, and the changing area was thoughtfully designed for privacy. I felt safe and appreciated that. The men's bath had no passcode, just a sliding door that opened directly into the changing area, so anyone walking in could see men undressing. It felt like there was no thought or care for their privacy, and I felt bad for my boyfriend. It upset me that the hotel seemed to protect women while overlooking men's comfort and dignity. Everyone should feel safe and respected. This setup felt like a clear sign that one gender is prioritized and the other treated as an afterthought. I left frustrated that my boyfriend and other men were put in that position. The hotel could be decent with some improvements, but until guests are treated equally I wouldn't return or recommend it to anyone who cares about fairness.

The room was very clean, and the staff were great. There are five free parking spots behind the hotel, available on a first-come basis. If they're full, there's a cheap pay lot around the corner, about a two-minute walk away, where it costs 500 yen for 12 hours.