Mitsui Garden Hotels in Fukuoka

The hotel is super close to the Airport Line. Just exit the subway, walk to the intersection, turn right, look up, and you'll see the 'HOTEL' sign – that's the one! It's a stylish and charming place. Around 4:30 PM, the lobby was quite busy with guests, but check-in was quick and seamless. Due to a change in plans, I extended my stay for another night. However, I still had to go through the check-in process again, and my request to keep the same room made communication a bit challenging. The hotel staff seemed to be exclusively Japanese speakers, so I was really grateful for an elderly gentleman who spoke Japanese and helped facilitate the conversation with the front desk. (Turns out, the front desk actually had a very useful translation device!) The double room wasn't huge but was perfectly adequate. The sofa by the window was more comfortable for one person, so when I returned late and craved a snack, I had to carefully eat it while perched on the edge of the bed. I stayed for 4 nights and had planned to try the hot spring bath on the 13th floor on my last evening. To my dismay, it was still quite crowded around 10 PM. Upon departure, I received a birthday card and a small gift – such a warm and lovely gesture! 😘 This will definitely be my top choice for a hotel when I visit Fukuoka again.

The room wasn't overly spacious; while the twin beds could be pushed together, we could barely open our 28-inch suitcase by the wall due to limited space. Location-wise, it's fantastic for subway users, with the station entrance right outside the hotel. However, for those focused on shopping, it's somewhat inconveniently situated between Hakata and Tenjin, meaning it's not truly close to either major shopping district. That said, breakfast was absolutely delicious! The cute little bowls used for serving food were a charming touch, and it certainly put me in a great mood to start the day. There's a free rooftop onsen (hot spring bath) available, but remember to bring your own swimwear. I wouldn't recommend this hotel for first-time visitors to Fukuoka. For a maiden trip, most people would prefer to be closer to Hakata for its dining, sightseeing, and easy access to day trips, or near Tenjin for serious retail therapy. This spot is much better suited for returning visitors.