Mitsui Garden Hotel Fukuoka Gion

To be honest, when I first checked in, I thought the room was really small. A 25 sq. meter twin room couldn't even fit a 28-inch suitcase laid flat, and at 1800 a night including breakfast, it really didn't feel worth it! However, I was genuinely surprised by the breakfast — the taste and texture truly captured the exquisite essence of Japanese cuisine! The rooftop onsen (hot spring) was also a big plus, making it somewhat worthwhile after all!

The room was just okay. The bathroom had a pretty strong odor, and I had to specifically ask for toiletries at the front desk. The bathhouse was closed from 9 AM to 3 PM, and you need to bring your own towel. I wasn't told at check-in that the room key wouldn't work for the hotel's bathhouse. Overall, not great value for money.

The location is super convenient! It's within walking distance of Gion Station on the Airport Line, Kushida Shrine Station on the Nanakuma Subway Line, Hakata Station, as well as Canal City Hakata, Kushida Shrine, and Nakasu Kawabata street. The breakfast spread is generous, primarily Japanese-style, and even features the famous Ikkousha ramen from Hakata. The rooms are quiet and spotlessly clean, and you have the flexibility to choose whether you'd like daily housekeeping. The top floor has a communal bathhouse where you can enjoy a hot spring soak to wash away your fatigue. The Japanese-style breakfast, convenient transportation, and the hot spring bath are definitely the biggest highlights.

A 7-minute walk from the subway station, the hotel breakfast is really good, and you can enjoy the hot spring on the rooftop. I always choose Mitsui hotels whenever I go to Japan. The only downside is that the rooms are still a bit small.