Applefan

Used other spelling of Fukuoka since I knew that the UBB censor would kick in. Has anyone stayed at either of these hotels? Which would you recommend? Which has the better location? Is Fukuoka worth a few days to visit? I might be going to Osaka and Kyoto early next year and thought I might wonder down to the Fukuoka area.
Thanks

DCW

I stay at GH Fukuoka for four days last Jan. and I think it is one of the better GH. But again I was in a suite (upgrade using GP points). I also like the RC although it gets a bit packed during breakfast, as it is not very big. The location is very good, within a large entertainment complex and less than half an hour from airport. I like Fukuoka a lot, not as much as Tokyo but better than Osaka. I am thinking of going back this Spring. Hope you enjoy your stay.

trd

I have stayed at each 3 or so times over the past six years. The Grand is certainly the "better" hotel. The rooms can be a bit small but VERY well appointed. As previous poster mentioned it is in the Canal City complex which has many upscale stores, a AMC theatre and many restuarants. The hotel itself also has a very nice resturant court in the lower level of the lobby. It is situated about half way between Hakata station and "downtown", both about 6 long blocks away. I actually like the RC in the Regency better than the Grand, but the last time I stayed at the Regency the RC was closed, although they did give me a coupon for the full breakfast buffet, very nice btw. The Regency is on the other side of Hakata and only about 3-4 blocks from the station. It is a very nice hotel also. Until the Grand opened 3 years ago I usually stayed here. It is a quieter, less formal hotel. The rooms tend to be a bit more "modular" like many Japanese hotels. I find it's bar much less formal. Both good hotels. I stay in Fukuoka 3 nights at a time usually. I always have a JR rail pass. You can take some lovely, if long, scenic rail trips around Kyushu. Aso, Kumamoto (great castle), Nagasaki, Beppu, and Hiroshima are all easy day trips. Warning: Although I didn't look last year, the previous year there were NO ATM's that took US issued cards in Fukuoka. When are you going? I will be there in mid January. email me with more specific questions if you want.

Kaoru Kanetaka

Hello Applefan,

Grand Hyatt is currently the NICEST hotel property in Fukuoka area. Tailored for high-end business and leisure traveller, the hotel features compact yet very tastefully done room. If you get upgraded to corner deluxe room, you will also enjoy a comtemporary and oversize bathroom. Make sure you request a high-floor river view room; otherwise your room face another building ( to be sure, another hotel called Washington Hotel )straight across over the Canal City Entertainment complex. Your room will practically face their rooms directly across.

Boysmap

Has anyone been to either the Grand or Regency in Fukuoka? I would imagine the Grand is better but if you happen to have any inside info, it would be appreciated.
Thanks

trd

see my comments in the Asia travel forum on Fukuoka Hyatts: http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...ML/000059.html
email me if you want more info.

[This message has been edited by trd (edited 02-15-2002).]

Boysmap

I KNEW trd would beat me to the punch on this one! I did finally make it there to check them out!

...But anyway, for ConsultantA, if you have a choice, stay at the Grand instead of the Regency. A noticable difference and not really that much more. My whole experience was just way better there!

ConsultantA

i'm thinking using my hyatt pts to stay there , so regency probably costs less pts than grand!

RTWSTARALLIANCE

Tought I would post since this Hotel has very few comments within FT. The Hyatt has two hotels in Hakata. This is the nicer of the two. Connected to Canal City a full on shopping and entertainment center. From Hakata station I walked about 8 minutes to the Hotel. Immediately escorted to 5th Floor Grand Club Lounge for check-in. The Club floors are in 5 and 6. Very nice Lounge with a great evening presentation and morning continental breakfest. More than continental. Given room on 6 which was small and facing Canal City. Asked for room move and moved to 11th floor. This is the only true non-smoking floor. It is not a Club floor. The Lounge people were great and after being in the room to three minutes she returned with housekeeping to bring the room up to snuff with all of the Club amenities less the fax machine and automatic closing curtains. Ask for a room not facing Canal City. You will find these rooms larger and facing the river and Hakata port. This is a very good Hyatt and I was a little disappointed to leave. You will enjoy the service and attentive staff. FYI Mostly Japanese nationals stay here. Not many tourists. This is southern Japan and not all items are also in English. I wanted to see Chicago but could not figure out the schedule at the AMC.

RichardInSF

Love those electrically operated curtains. 40 trips to Japan in the last 8-10 years, and I haven't ever found a reason to visit Fukuoka, so I am not terribly surprised they don't get many tourists there!

Happy

May spend a night at Fukuoka first week of April.

There is a HR and a GH in Fukuoka. GH has a lower rate than HR.

Can anyone offer some advices ?

thanks

Pickles

No question, the GH. It is quite nice, one of my favorite Hyatts (after the PHT, GHT, and GHHK, of course.)

kv99

Agreed. Excellent hotel... btw, there's a great Italian restaurant within about 5 min. walk from the hotel, on the opposite side of the canal.

FWIW, the Hyatt Regency was designed by the architect Michael Graves (also designed the La Jolla Hyatt and the WDW Swan and Dolphin), so worth taking a look at.

FTraveler

Stayed at the HR last year. It is a 10-minute walk from Hakata station, the main station in Fukuoka, and is in a relatively quiet area next to a river. Property is well maintained. Regency Club floor and lounge are available. Impressive atrium area. The GH is in the newer and more modern part of the city.

trd

I have stayed at both hotels many times -- with the FFN promos going I bounce back and forth. They both have distinctive pros and cons. The HR is much quieter, a bit more "homey", the RC is MUCH quieter and has free high speed internet, closer to Hakata train stain (easy walking even with roll-away) about three blocks, the windows in each room open; better breakfast buffet (if you don't have access to the RC). The GH is in a much more interesting area adjacent to huge shopping/entertainment/eating complex (and closer to "downtown"), bathrooms are GREAT, RC charges Y1000 for high speed internet use, room itself is slightly smaller than HR, but very nice; about twice as far from Hakata -- certainly walkable, but more of a jaunt; very nice food court in basement with fairly upscale selections; staff speaks better English. All in all given a one time choice I would do the GH. Fell free to email me with other questions.