Rakuten STAY Kokura Station

This hotel offers a distinctive stay, primarily characterized by its spacious rooms and comprehensive kitchen facilities, making it feel more like a modern apartment than a traditional hotel. Its signature feature is the generous living space, which is particularly appealing for families and those planning long-term stays, providing ample room for relaxation and self-catering. The hotel's excellent location near the station and various amenities also makes it a convenient choice for sightseers and budget-conscious travelers seeking value without compromising on comfort. While the self-check-in system offers independence, guests should ensure they have all necessary access codes and reservation details readily available before arrival to avoid potential delays. Additionally, packing personal toiletries like pajamas and razors is advisable, as these are not consistently provided, ensuring a more comfortable and prepared experience.

Facilities & Amenities
Guests frequently commend the hotel's well-appointed kitchen facilities, which include an induction cooker, pots, bowls, utensils, a large refrigerator, and a microwave, enabling guests to prepare their own meals and store groceries. The presence of a washing machine and dryer in the communal laundry room is highly appreciated, especially for extended stays, with some noting the convenience of automatic detergent dispensing. While the Wi-Fi generally performs well, some guests experienced restrictions with certain communication apps. The rooms are equipped with effective air conditioning and heating, and a strong bathroom ventilator that helps dry clothes quickly, though it can make the bathroom feel cold. Some guests suggested the addition of another elevator for smoother access, and a few wished for an ice machine on the premises.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
The hotel generally receives praise for its cleanliness and spacious rooms, with many guests highlighting the comfort of the beds and the convenience of a separate toilet and bath area. The bathrooms are often described as large, featuring a dedicated washing area, which is a significant plus. However, feedback on cleanliness is mixed; some guests reported finding dusty carpets, dirty cups, leftover trash, or even experiencing itchy beds, and some noted stains in the toilet bowl. Room amenities include a large refrigerator, microwave, and a TV with streaming capabilities, but guests should note the absence of pajamas, razors, tea bags, humidifiers, or brushes. Noise can be an issue, with some reviews mentioning thin walls allowing noise from other rooms, including children running or loud conversations, and early morning disturbances from cleaning staff.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's central location is consistently highlighted as a major advantage, being just a short walk from Kokura Station, making it highly convenient for travelers. Guests appreciate its proximity to various amenities, including a supermarket in the station basement, numerous restaurants, shopping streets, and convenience stores like Seven-Eleven and Family Mart. The Fish Market (Uomachi) is also easily accessible, offering fresh local produce for those utilizing the in-room kitchen facilities. While the hotel does not offer its own parking, several coin parking lots are available nearby, though some guests found these to be expensive or located on narrow streets. Overall, the location is praised for its accessibility to public transport and a wide array of dining and entertainment options.

Staff & Service
The hotel operates on a self-service model with no physical staff on site, which some guests appreciate for its independence, while others found it challenging. The check-in process, conducted via a tablet and often requiring a video call for verification, was a significant point of mixed feedback; many experienced long waiting times and difficulty understanding the required codes or procedures, sometimes due to language barriers with remote support. However, some guests found the remote customer service helpful in resolving issues like luggage locker problems or check-in difficulties. The absence of on-site staff means there is no immediate assistance for issues like noise complaints from other guests or problems with room cleanliness. Additionally, daily cleaning and towel exchange are not provided for longer stays, requiring guests to use the coin laundry.

Additional Information
As a fully unmanned hotel, guests should be prepared for a highly independent stay. The keypad lock system for both the main entrance and individual rooms, which uses the same code, was a point of security concern for some. Unlike traditional hotels, there are no physical room cards, and guests are responsible for remembering their access codes. For extended stays, it's important to note that room cleaning and towel replacement are not provided, necessitating the use of the on-site coin laundry. While the hotel offers a range of in-room amenities, guests should bring their own pajamas, razors, tea bags, humidifiers, and hair brushes, as these items are not supplied. The hotel also lacks a designated smoking area.