APA Hotel Hakata Gion Ekimae

This hotel is highly regarded for its excellent location, offering direct access to the subway and placing guests within easy reach of major transport hubs and local attractions. Guests frequently commend the hotel's cleanliness, functional rooms, and the attentive service provided by the staff. It is an ideal choice for solo travelers and business travelers seeking convenience and efficiency, as well as sightseers looking to explore the city with ease. To ensure a more peaceful stay, some guests recommend requesting a room on a higher floor to minimize street noise, and it is advisable to allow extra time for checkout, especially during peak hours, due to potential elevator wait times.

Facilities & Amenities
Guests appreciate the practical amenities available, including free VODs on the large in-room televisions, and the abundance of sockets throughout the rooms, which is convenient for charging multiple devices. The hotel provides laundry facilities with washing machines and dryers, and a microwave for guest use, adding to the convenience for longer stays. Free Wi-Fi is available, ensuring guests can stay connected. However, some guests have noted that the hotel's elevators can be slow and limited in number, leading to significant wait times, particularly during busy check-out periods.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
The rooms are generally praised for their cleanliness and tidy appearance, with many guests finding them well-maintained. While the room size is consistently described as small, compact, or tiny, guests often find them functional and efficient for short stays. Feedback on bed comfort is mixed; some guests find the beds comfortable, while others report issues with mattresses being too soft, worn out, or sunken, leading to back discomfort. Bathroom layout can be tight, though some deluxe twin rooms offer more space. Noise levels are a recurring concern, with street noise, sirens from nearby emergency services, and car horns often audible, especially on lower floors. Some guests also reported issues with centralized air conditioning not allowing individual temperature control, or a stale smell.

Dining & Food Quality
Feedback regarding the hotel's breakfast is varied, with some guests finding the Japanese breakfast delicious. However, many guests express disappointment, describing the breakfast as monotonous with the same variety each day, limited in options, and often not served hot. Some reviews also indicate that the breakfast can be overpriced for the selection offered, leading some guests to opt for external dining options. The restaurant atmosphere during breakfast has also been mentioned, with some finding the music too loud.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel boasts an excellent central location, directly in front of Gion Station (Exit 5, with an elevator at Exit 6), making it incredibly convenient for subway access. It is also within a 10 to 15-minute walking distance to Hakata Station, with an underground connection available for rainy days. This prime spot provides easy access to public transportation for exploring the city and reaching the airport quickly. Numerous convenience stores (Lawson, Family Mart, 7-11) and various restaurants and cafes are located nearby. While the hotel does not have dedicated parking, guests have found nearby options, though they may require searching.

Staff & Service
The staff consistently receives high praise for being friendly, helpful, attentive, and polite. Guests appreciate their professionalism and willingness to assist with various requests, such as luggage storage. The check-in process, often managed via kiosks, is generally described as quick and smooth, though some guests required staff assistance. Similarly, check-out is efficient, typically involving dropping the key card into a machine. While most interactions are positive, a few guests noted minor communication challenges due to limited English proficiency among some staff members, requiring the use of translation tools.

Additional Information
The hotel implements a card key access system for elevators and entry, enhancing guest security. For longer stays, the hotel operates an eco-cleaning policy, meaning rooms are not cleaned daily, but fresh towels and amenities are provided upon request. Guests should be aware of the strict check-out time of 10 AM, as exceeding this can incur additional charges, and the elevators can become very busy around this time. The rooms are equipped with HDMI sockets, allowing guests to connect their devices to the large in-room televisions. Some guests have noted the occasional sound of sirens from a nearby police station or hospital.