Where to Stay

There is no shortage of hotels in Fukuoka City. The city actually used this as a selling point in their pitch to bring the G-8 Summit 2000 to Fukuoka, and not only are there numerous accommodation choices, but a wide range of rates. Whether you'll be using corporate plastic to pay for your lodgings, or digging into the corners of your backpack for enough change to settle the bill, without a doubt you will be able to find accommodations appropriate to your needs in this vibrant city.

Hakata-ku
Most hotel guests in Fukuoka stay in the Hakata station area, although proximity to central transit is not necessarily the main attraction. The popularity of this area is largely due to the high concentration of lodgings here, where there are probably more hotels than businesses. Most of these accommodate business people who pass through the station en masse everyday.  As a result, the lodgings are reasonably affordable and quite convenient. There are also high-class hotels here, including the Hyatt Regency Fukuoka, Hotel Nikko (run by Japan Air Lines), and the Zen-nikku Hotel (run by All Nippon Airways).

There are a few more excellent hotel choices in the Hakata district, such as the Grand Hyatt Fukuoka, located in Canal City. Considering what you get at both the hotel and in the surrounding area, this could very well be one of the best hotels in Fukuoka. Just across the river is the attractive Hotel Il Palazzo. If high class doesn't fit into your budget, some more moderately priced, but still very attractive options include the Hakata Green Hotel and the Hakata Dai-Ichi Hotel, which is only a four minute walk from Hakata Station.

Chūō-ku (Downtown)
Moving west toward the downtown Tenjin area, there are a number of decent hotels, the best of which could be the Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel or perhaps the newly renovated Nishitetsu Grand Hotel. Both are located near Nishi-dori, one of the more happening stretches of the city, and not far from the late-night youth haven of Oyafuko-dori. A few blocks south of Tenjin proper, you will find the Hotel New Otani Hakata, which makes up for in prestige and facilities what it lacks in terms of convenience.

Apart from these high-end hotels in central Fukuoka, the Sea Hawk Hotel & Resort in the west end's Momochi district is highly recommended in terms of its facilities and surrounding attractions. There are luxury options available here, and it is located close to the beach, Fukuoka Dome and Hawks Town.

Nakasu
Along Naka River, looking toward the Nakasu district from the Tenjin side, you will find a strip of hotels with glowing neon-signs. Some of these are "love-hotels", yet they are surprisingly more spacious and luxurious than regular hotels, and cost less on average as well. Do not be surprised to find hotels along this strip full on weekends, however, as they are close to the entertainment district. A couple affordable options in this exciting area are Dukes Hotel and Hakata Riverside Hotel, or if you want the nightlife and upscale accommodations, try the Okura Hotel. This enormous hotel could be considered the Grand Hyatt's main competition for top honors. Located beside Riverain, Hakata-za and the Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, this hotel caters to the sophisticated and well-funded.

Guests will also be happy to know that many Fukuoka hotels now provide access to the Internet; however, this frequently means no more than a modem jack in your room. Some hotels rent computer equipment, and a few, like Solaria, have everything you need right in the room. Fukuoka City is fast becoming an "Internet city" of sorts, with advanced cable technology providing speed and convenience. More and more hotels are getting hooked up, but it is still advisable to inquire about services when booking your room.