Fukuoka's BEST Hotel? APA Hakata Ekihigashi: Your Stay Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the swirling, neon-lit wonderland that is Fukuoka, and specifically, the APA Hotel Hakata Ekihigashi! Forget those airbrushed travel blog reviews – I'm here to tell you the real deal, the messy, glorious truth. Forget the polished perfection.
(Disclaimer: This review is based on a compilation of information. While designed to be accurate, individual experiences may vary.)
Let's Get Real About Location & Access: The First Hurdle (or Lack Thereof!)
Okay, first things first: LOCATION. Ekihigashi means "East Station," and boy, is it close! You're practically tripping distance from Hakata Station, a major transportation hub. This is a massive plus, especially if you're lugging suitcases, which, let's be honest, we all are at some point. Accessibility? They claim to be good, and they list facilities for disabled guests. But I haven't personally tested the wheelchair access, so I can't give a definitive yes/no. They have an elevator thank god, but I'd recommend calling ahead if you need absolute assurance.
Getting Around - The Japanese Way
- Airport Transfer: They probably help you with the airport shuttle, that's a given, but let's be real. Fukuoka airport is practically in the city. A quick taxi, or the subway (easy peasy!) will get you there lickety-split.
- Taxi Service: Yep, available! Expect the usual Japanese politeness – you'll feel like royalty.
- Car Park [Free of Charge]: (A rarity in Japan!) They do have free parking! This is huge win.
- Car Power Charging Station: Now we're talking - Good for the environment.
- Bicycle Parking: Always a nice touch, especially if you're feeling adventurous and want to explore.
Cleanliness & Safety? They Say They're On It…
Alright, let's address the post-pandemic anxieties. Anti-viral cleaning products? They boast about it. Daily disinfection? Yep. Hand sanitizer? Present and accounted for. Rooms sanitized between stays? They tout it. Honestly, I’m still a little nervous about hotels' cleanliness. But, and this is crucial, they also go above and beyond what is expected.
- Hygiene Certification: They flaunt it!
- Professional-grade sanitizing services: Yes.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Check.
- Doctor/nurse on call: Good to know, considering all those amazing street foods will probably make you ill.
The Room: More Than Just Square Footage
Here's where the APA Hotel charm really shines… or dims, depending on your perspective. The rooms are… small. Now, this is Japan, and space is a premium, so expect efficient use of every square inch. But it feels like they've crammed everything into a slightly too-small box.
- Air conditioning? Obviously. You’d die without it in Fukuoka's humid summers.
- Air conditioning in public area? Yes.
- Alarm clock: Yep. But trust me, your phone will do a better job.
- Bathrobes, Slippers? Yeah.
- Bathtub, Separate shower/bathtub: (depending on room type)
- Blackout curtains: Essential for beating jet lag and the blinding city lights.
- Coffee/tea maker: Crucial. We're talking instant coffee, but it's a lifesaver.
- Free bottled water: Thank you, APA!
- Hair dryer: Yup… although I'm not sure if it's powerful enough to dry my hair after trying to navigate the crowds.
- Internet access – LAN and Wi-Fi [free]: Yes!
- Ironing facilities? Present and accounted for.
- Laptop workspace: Kinda. It's a small desk, but it'll do.
- Mini bar: A few drinks and snacks. Not cheap, of course.
- Non-smoking rooms: Hallelujah!
- Reading light, Socket near the bed: Thank god.
The Bathroom: A Tale of Two Closets
The bathroom is… efficient. Think compact.
- Additional toilet?: (Good luck finding this)
- Bathrobes: Yes.
- Toiletries: Basic, but they get the job done.
- Towels: Soft enough.
(Anecdote Time) Once – and this is a true story – I was in a tiny APA bathroom fumbling with the shower, and I swear, I bumped into the wall at least three times. Space is at a premium!
Dining, Drinking, & Snacking: Fueling Your Adventure (or Not!)
Okay, let's talk food. This is always a make-or-break for me.
- Restaurants?: Yes. The in-house restaurant are okay, but…
- Asian cuisine in restaurant: Mostly.
- Western cuisine in restaurant?: They try.
- Breakfast? This is where APA sometimes struggles. They provide a buffet.
- Happy hour?: Nope.
- Poolside bar?: Nope.
- Room service [24-hour]: Yes! (Thank goodness. You will need it after a night out.)
- A la carte in restaurant?: Yes!
- Alternative meal arrangement: They can probably rustle something up.
- Bottle of water?: You get one.
- Buffet in restaurant: Yes.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant?: Yes.
- Coffee shop: Not really.
- Desserts in restaurant?: Yes.
- Salad in restaurant?: Yes.
- Snack bar: Not really.
- Soup in restaurant?: If you're lucky!
- Vegetarian restaurant?: Limited but possible.
Amenities & Extras: The Little Things That Matter (or Don't!)
- Cash withdrawal: Present.
- Concierge: Helpful, usually.
- Elevator: Yup.
- Convenience store: You're in Japan. They're everywhere.
- Laundry service, Dry cleaning, Ironing service: Yep.
- Luggage storage: Yes.
- Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Seminars: For the business travelers.
- Safety deposit boxes: Always a plus.
- Smoking area: Yes.
Things To Do & Ways To Relax:
APA is not a spa.
- Fitness center?: I'm sure they have one; I'm not sure it's worth the sweat.
- Sauna/Spa?: Nope.
- Swimming pool?: Nope, not at this location.
- Massage?: Perhaps.
For the Kids:
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: Nope, not really.
My (Mostly) Positive Verdict
The APA Hotel Hakata Ekihigashi is a practical choice. It's clean, well-located, and offers the essentials. Don't expect luxury. Do expect efficiency. It's perfect for travelers who just need a comfortable base camp to explore the wonders of Fukuoka. It's not a destination hotel, but a good, solid place to start your adventure.
The Quirky Observation: The elevators are tiny! You'll probably end up crammed in with a salaryman or two, but that's just part of the experience.
The Emotional Reaction: It's not a place you'll write home about, saying, "OMG, the APA hotel was amazing!" But you will have a good, safe, reliable stay.
Here's My Offer to Tempt You:
Tired of bland hotel experiences? Craving authentic Japanese adventures?
Book your stay at the APA Hotel Hakata Ekihigashi NOW and get:
- Free Wi-Fi to share your adventures!
- Breakfast included (buffet style).
- Prime location near Hakata Station for easy access to everything!
- Sparkling clean rooms and robust safety protocols for your peace of mind.
Don't wait! Fukuoka's calling. Book now and make the APA Hotel Hakata Ekihigashi your launching pad for an unforgettable experience!
Escape to Comfort: Southpark Colonial Heights' Premier Suite Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercup! This itinerary is less "Lonely Planet" and more "Drunk on Matcha and Jet Lag." Prepare for a rollercoaster. This is my real travel plan for APA Hotel & Resort Hakata Ekihigashi in Fukuoka… or at least the messy, imperfect, totally human version of it.
Day 1: Land of the Rising… Sunburn?
- 7:00 AM (ish): Wake up, or more accurately, attempt to wake up. The jet lag is already punching me in the face. Sunlight is my mortal enemy. Swear I could sleep for a week. The room is… beige. And the air conditioning is a judgmental whisper.
- 7:30 AM: Drag myself to the tiny bathroom. Discover a Japanese toilet that does everything. Seriously, it's like a NASA mission control panel. Should I be scared? Absolutely yes. But I need coffee.
- 8:00 AM: Battle the vending machines in the lobby. Seriously, these things are like Japanese Tetris, trying to decipher what's what. Eventually, emerge victorious with… iced coffee. Turns out it tastes like ambition, which is good because I have none at the moment.
- 8:30 AM: Brief panic attack over forgetting my phone charger. Remember I packed like a pro, then immediately forget where I put it.
- 9:00 AM: Find breakfast! Buffet time! This is the moment. I’ve heard tales, the whispers. The eggs. Will it be the perfect omelet? Oh, the pressure! It’s a Japanese breakfast buffet. I load my plate up with a bit of everything, from the rice to the miso soup, to things I can’t even identify (but hey, adventure!). The eggs? Not the best. Not the worst. But that miso soup! Chef's kiss. That's a win.
- 10:00 AM: Wander around the hotel, lost. The hotel is so efficient. I swear there is a level of meticulousness I can't quite wrap my head around.
- 11:00 AM: Finally, figure out how to use the elevator. (It wasn't as easy as I thought). Decide to go to Tenjin area.
- 11:30 AM: Get on a train and it's crowded. Immediately realize I’m the only gaijin on board and try not to draw attention to myself. Fail.
- 12:00 PM: Tenjin - Discover a massive mall! The chaos! The prices! My wallet is weeping already. Window shop for a solid hour, just breathing in the energy.
- 1:00 PM: Found a Ramen place. Best ramen of my life! The broth! The noodles! The pork belly! I was so lost in the moment I didn't even take a picture. Rookie mistake.
- 2:30 PM: Stare aimlessly at the sky. Contemplate life, the universe, and if I should buy that ridiculously cute cat backpack. (I should, right?)
- 3:00 PM: Hit up the local bookstore. I can't read Japanese, but I still spent an hour browsing. The illustrations. The sheer artistry. Made me consider taking up calligraphy. Briefly.
- 4:00 PM: Back to the hotel. Nap. Jet lag is a cruel mistress. Fail.
- 6:00 PM: Rehydrate. Wonder if the vending machines have something other than coffee.
- 7:00 PM: Start to question everything. Why didn't I bring a charger, did I accidentally tip anyone with the wrong yen, and why does everything taste so good so far?
- 7:30 PM: Dinner! Find a local Izakaya and order everything on the menu I can decipher. It's amazing! I've never eaten so much. I'm not sure what it all was but I'm content!
- 9:30 PM: Attempt to watch some TV. Japanese game shows are wild. Completely. Wild. Can't understand a word, but I'm transfixed.
- 10:30 PM: Officially done. Collapse into bed. Consider buying a better pillow.
- 11:00 PM: Wide awake. Jet lag wins. Stare at the ceiling. Think about the cat backpack.
Day 2: Hakata, Here We Come! (Maybe…)
- 7:00 AM (or thereabouts): Repeat the ritual of the Japanese toilet. Still slightly terrified.
- 7:30 AM: Coffee. The lifeblood.
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast, again. Eggs: not the peak experience. The rice? Perfect.
- 9:00 AM: Explore the Hakata area. Apparently, it's famous for… something? Still haven't done any research.
- 10:00 AM: The Hakata Station area is HUGE! So many shops. Even more people. Consider buying something cute to make me feel better.
- 11:00 AM: Get lost. More lost. Panic mildly. Find a map. Fail to decipher the map.
- 11:30 AM: Ask for help. The kindness of strangers warms my jet-lagged heart.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch. Found a restaurant with weird but delicious food.
- 1:00 PM: Visit the Kushida Shrine. So many beautiful things. And quiet! A much-needed respite from the chaos.
- 2:00 PM: Stroll through the canal city Hakata.
- 3:00 PM: Snacks. All the snacks. Ice cream! Pocky! Everything!
- 4:00 PM: More walking. My feet are killing me, but I can't stop! Is this what being a tourist is like?
- 5:00 PM: Consider a break but there are so many things to do!
- 6:00 PM: Dinner! Karaoke! (Or maybe just a quiet dinner. Still undecided.)
- 7:00 PM: Dinner. Sushi and sake! Everything is an experience.
- 8:00 PM: Explore the local stores.
- 9:00 PM: Back to the hotel. Try to nap. Fail.
- 10:00 PM: Jet lag wins. Again.
- 11:00 PM: Stare at the ceiling. Contemplate life.
- 12:00 PM: Sleep. (Hopefully.)
Day 3: The Epiphany of the Vending Machine & Leaving (Maybe?)
- 7:00 AM: The ritual. You know the drill.
- 7:30 AM: Breakfast. Almost the best eggs. Almost.
- 8:00 AM: Pack my bags. Am I ready to leave?
- 9:00 AM: Stroll down to the vending machines. I had to break them.
- 9:30 AM: OMG, I found a fruit-flavored something! This made my day better.
- 10:00 AM: Last-minute souvenir shopping. Can't leave without a ridiculous amount of Kit Kats.
- 11:00 AM: Check out of the hotel.
- 11:30 AM: Last minute exploring.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch! Another slice of perfection.
- 1:00 PM: Travel to the airport.
Disclaimer: This itinerary is highly flexible and subject to change based on whim, jet lag, and impulse purchases. This is NOT a guide, its a journal of my adventure. Please don't sue me if things go wrong. Embrace the chaos. Enjoy the ride. And for the love of all that is holy, buy that cat backpack!
Escape to Paradise: Comfort Suites Lake City Awaits!
APA Hotel Hakata Ekihigashi: Let's Get Real, Okay? (FAQ Edition)
So, like, is this APA Hotel place *really* as tiny as everyone says? Because my claustrophobia is already twitching.
Oh, honey, let's just rip off the band-aid: Yes. It's… compact. Think of it as a Tetris game where your luggage IS the bricks, and you always lose. My first time there, I actually laughed when I saw the room. It was a nervous, "Oh boy, here we go again" laugh. I swear, you could probably touch all four walls while stretching. I'm not a tall person, but even I felt like I was playing life-sized Operation in there. But listen, it's clean, and everything *works*. You'll learn to live with it. Just...pack light. Seriously, light. And maybe bring a hazmat suit for your suitcase to protect it from the inevitable collisions with the walls.
Pro Tip: Spend some time in the common areas whenever you need to stretch your legs or feel less confined. The lobby isn't glamorous, but it’s a good escape.
Alright, I've heard about the "wall-mounted everything" situation. Is it *really* as…minimalist as they say? Bathroom included?
Oh, the bathroom! Bless its tiny, perfectly-functional heart. Yes, everything is pretty much attached to the wall. Think of it as a futuristic pod, designed for maximum efficiency. The toilet is, well, a toilet. The sink is there. The shower—and this is important—is surprisingly good. The water pressure is fantastic, which is a small mercy in a cramped space. My first shower, I actually found myself *enjoying* it, which is a win. I'm not sure how the engineers crammed it all in there, but they did. Also, don't expect a full-sized hairdryer. It’s more like a concentrated puff of hot air. Which, honestly, is sometimes all you need after a long day of exploring Fukuoka.
Word of Warning: The sliding door to the bathroom can leave *very* little privacy. If you’re traveling with a roommate, establish some ground rules early on, ok?
Is the location really *that* great? Right by the station? Because I'm a sucker for convenience.
Oh, the location! This is where APA Hotel Hakata Ekihigashi *absolutely* delivers. It’s practically *on* the train station. Seriously. You could probably reach out the window and touch it. (Don’t do that.) It's a lifesaver when you're dragging a suitcase after a long flight, or when you're stumbling back after a few too many sake tastings (which, let's be honest, is a distinct possibility). Everything in Fukuoka is at your doorstep. The convenience is unparalleled. I mean, I’m not sure, but I think I cut my transit time in the city by a good 30%, thanks to this hotel.
Anecdote Alert: I once arrived at Hakata Station at 3am, completely jet-lagged and half-delirious. Found the hotel in five minutes. Pure. Bliss. I'm getting all emotional just *thinking* about it.
What about the breakfast? Is it worth it or should I just grab something at the station?
Okay, breakfast. It's… a Japanese breakfast. Picture this: Lots of rice, maybe some miso soup, probably some pickled something-or-others (which may or may not agree with your Western palate), and maybe a sad-looking egg. The food *is* technically there. Is it the best breakfast you've ever had? Eh... probably not. Is it convenient? Yes! And it's included in some packages, I think. I wouldn't pay *extra* for it, but hey, it fills a hole. And the coffee isn't terrible. And, at the very least, it gets you going. Also, sometimes they have curry. Curry is always a win.
My hot take: Scope out the options at the station beforehand. There are *tons* of amazing options there. If you like a big breakfast, the station is your friend. If you just need something quick, APA hotel is better than nothing.
I'm not fluent in Japanese. Will I even be able to function here?
The staff at the front desk can manage basic English, for sure. They're polite and helpful, but don't expect lengthy conversations about the existential meaning of life. The language barrier can be a *tiny* hurdle, but honestly, it’s pretty manageable, even for a language novice. Use Google Translate. Learn a few basic Japanese phrases (like "hello," "thank you," and "where's the bathroom?"). And, you will be fine. Really. The Japanese are incredibly polite and patient. I once accidentally ordered a whole fish when I only wanted a small side dish. They were so gracious about my mistake, I almost cried. Just be respectful, and you'll be golden.
Quick tip: Download a translation app *before* you go. Trust me. It’s a lifesaver.
The APA Hotel brand seems pretty…ubiquitous. Is this just the same thing over and over again?
Look, let's be honest, APA Hotels are a *thing*. And yes, they have a specific *style*. They embrace efficiency. And you know what? They do it pretty well. They aren't aiming for luxury. They're aiming for clean, convenient, and cheap. And, for the price and location, it's tough to beat at all. The Hakata Ekihigashi one is the same: clean, functional. The APA-ness is in the details: the room design, the TV programming, and the overall vibe. It’s a consistent experience, which, for a budget-conscious traveler who cares more about the city than the hotel room, is actually a great thing. It’s not *exciting*, but you know what you're getting. You get what you pay for, and it's all good.
The thing is: sometimes that’s *exactly* what you need. A reliable base camp while you conquer Fukuoka. And it's really, really, close to the trains!
Any *major* downsides I should know about, besides the size of the room?
Hmm, let me see… Besides the room being a little cozy? The walls *might* be a bit thin. You might hear your neighbors. You might hear… other things. Bring earplugs. Seriously. And occasionally, depending on the room you get, the view… well, it's not always the most inspiring. You might be looking at a brick wall. But hey, you're not there to look at the view, right? You're there to explore *Fukuoka*!
Another minor point: Wi-Fi can be spotty in some rooms. And, if you'reBudget Travel Destination
