Table of Contents
- Fukuoka Family Trip with Kids, Choosing Accommodation is Key!
- Why 'Canal City'? The Location is Overwhelming
- 4-Person Room Condition, Amenities, Breakfast Review
- Drawbacks of Canal City Fukuoka Hotel
- Canal City Washington Hotel 4-Person Room: Honest Review of Use
- Transportation and Nearby Restaurants
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Fukuoka Family Trip with Kids, Choosing Accommodation is Key!
When planning a family trip to Fukuoka, the biggest concern is the lack of 4-person accommodation. It is important to find spacious lodging equipped with basic amenities for 2 adults and 2 children, or 3 adults and 1 child.
Some small hotels have separate living rooms or tatami rooms. However, in such cases, breakfast may be poor, or the location may be inconvenient, and the lobby may be close to the road, making it difficult to move with children. These factors should be taken into account when choosing accommodations.
If you want breakfast service and spacious facilities, Nishitetsu or Canal City Washington Hotel located in Tenjin are ideal choices. Especially if you're traveling with young children who need strollers, choosing accommodation near Canal City will allow you to enjoy convenience in commuting, dining, and shopping.
Ultimately, I decided to book the 4-person room at Canal City Washington Hotel (Washington Hotel Fukuoka Canal City) and leave a review for this stay.
Good Articles to Prepare for Your Trip to Fukuoka, Japan
Why 'Canal City'? The Location is Overwhelming
Canal City Hakata, located between Hakata Station, Tenjin, and Nakasu, is a complex space full of various attractions that are the core area of Fukuoka tourism. It features a large shopping mall, delicious restaurants, a spectacular fountain show, and facilities that are great for visiting with children, making it very popular among tourists.
It is often difficult to find 4-person accommodation in Fukuoka for families. Grand Hyatt Fukuoka is a luxury 5-star hotel, and to use a 4-person room, you must book a suite. However, this can make costs significantly more expensive, making family travel burdensome.
For instance, the price can be more than double compared to the Washington Hotel in the same area, and the only option for 4 adults is a suite that costs 1.8 million won. However, the Washington Hotel located at Canal City Fukuoka offers a true family quad room with 4-person beds at a 3-star price, making it a better choice for family travelers.
The Washington Hotel is one of the few accommodations that provide 4-person rooms at Canal City. This hotel is connected to the basement floor and the elevator, making it easy to move with kids to the shopping mall. Additionally, the proximity to McDonald's, Starbucks, and Lawson convenience stores in the basement makes it very convenient. The hourly fountain shows stimulate children's curiosity and provide enjoyable experiences.
Grand Hyatt vs Washington Hotel
If you're planning a couple or honeymoon trip, I recommend the luxurious Grand Hyatt. However, note that they do not offer 4-person rooms.
If you prioritize cost-effectiveness and are considering family travel, Washington Hotel is more suitable. In fact, the price of Hyatt can reach 2 to 3 times that of Washington, and families of 4 with children might find the layout inconvenient.
4-Person Room Condition, Amenities, Breakfast Review
The 4-person room at Washington Hotel is similar in level to an older 3-star tourist hotel. The TV channels are not diverse, but a kettle is provided, so you can use it without inconvenience. The beds are fluffy and cozy, ensuring a good night's sleep. However, the bathroom is narrow, and you have to endure the smallness unique to Japanese hotels.
Amenities include 4 towels, face towels, and bath towels per person, and you can freely take items like foam cleanser, disposable toothbrushes, toothpaste, and cleansing oil from the first floor, which is very convenient. These aspects serve as useful elements for travelers.
The breakfast buffet is simple but sufficient meal options for kids. In particular, the motsunabe is especially delicious and memorable. Reservations that include breakfast offer high satisfaction for the cost.
Additionally, Wi-Fi is provided in the rooms, and there are drink vending machines on each floor for convenience. While bottled water is not provided in the room, it can be easily purchased through vending machines.
Beds and Space
Beds: Four single beds are provided, allowing each family member to sleep comfortably in their own space. The mattresses are soft yet supportive, providing high satisfaction for both children and adults.
Space utilization: As is typical in Japanese 3-star hotels, the rooms are somewhat small, but there is a reasonable passageway between the beds, making it not too difficult to place or move luggage. However, there is slightly less space for fully opening large suitcases.
The bathroom is small but has a tub that allows for half-body baths. The sink and toilet are designed as one unit, making good use of space. The cleanliness is also well maintained.
Amenities and Supplies
Basic Provided Items
Towel related: 4 bath towels, 4 shower towels, and 4 face towels are provided.
Bathroom supplies: Shampoo, conditioner, and body wash are provided in single-use dispenser formats in the bathroom.
Additional items: You can freely take foam cleanser, cleansing oil, disposable toothbrushes, and toothpaste from the amenity machine located in the lobby on the first floor.
The room also has a variety of amenities.
A TV is provided, but the number of channels is limited, and there is a media port that can be connected to a laptop or smartphone.
A mini fridge and an electric kettle are also available, along with complimentary bottled water and green tea bags.
A desk and chair can be used for simple work or dining.
Slippers and pajamas are provided as standard, and additional quantities can be requested from the lobby.
Detailed Review of the Breakfast Buffet
Operating Hours and Location
Hours
: 06:30–10:00
Location
: Hotel 1st Floor Restaurant
Menu Guide
At the Western-style corner, you can enjoy various breakfast items like scrambled eggs, sausages, bacon, toast, and cereals.
At the Japanese style corner, rice, miso soup, nikuzaka (meat and potato stew), mentaiko, and various Japanese side dishes are prepared, providing a hearty meal.
As a special menu item, warm and hearty motsunabe hot pot is offered in small quantities, enhancing satisfaction.
In the drinks and dessert corner, a variety of options like coffee, green tea, juice, yogurt, fresh fruits, breads, and ice cream are available.
Useful Information When Using
Children's Menu
: If you put rice into the motsunabe broth, it will become easy for children to eat.
Crowded Times
: It is relatively less crowded between 6:30 and 7:00 AM, so it is advisable to visit at that early time. After 8:00, many people may gather.
Reasons for Revisit
: The variety and taste of the menu, as well as the service, are excellent compared to the price, making it suitable for breakfast solutions for a family of four.
Drawbacks of Canal City Fukuoka Hotel
The main drawback of Canal City Washington Hotel is the cigarette smell felt in the lobby on the first floor. The smoking room is located nearby, which can cause discomfort for non-smokers and families with children. Choosing a non-smoking room will solve the smell issue, but when passing through the lobby, it is advisable to consider masks or alternative routes.
Canal City Washington Hotel 4-Person Room: Honest Review of Use
✅ Advantages
Check out the actual look of the 4-person room!
With the quad room structure, 4 adults can sleep comfortably in their own beds. It is also the best choice for families traveling with children. Breakfast service is also available, and moving with strollers is not a problem.
The location is truly attractive. You can walk to Hakata Station, Tenjin, and Nakasu within 10-15 minutes, easily enjoying shopping, dining, and sightseeing.
Also, being connected to the underground shopping mall adds convenience, with the fountain show, various restaurants, Disney Store, and Ramen Station located just 1-2 minutes away.
The breakfast restaurant offers a simple menu, but dishes like 'motsunabe' that reflect local flavors are served, making it satisfactory.
Additionally, there is a luggage storage service, allowing you to leave your luggage after check-out and enjoy last-minute shopping.
❌ Disadvantages
A cigarette smell can be sensed in the lobby on the first floor. The smoking room is located near the elevator, which might be unpleasant for sensitive individuals.
The rooms also feel somewhat outdated. With old interior styles for a 3-star hotel, the limited number of TV channels leaves room for improvement.
The bathroom is small and designed in the characteristic compact style of Japanese hotels, which may make it inconvenient for large suitcases.
Finally, there is a shortage of washing machines. There's only one coin washer available, which could lead to waiting times.
Checkpoints
Requesting a non-smoking room is essential. Those sensitive to tobacco smells should be cautious. Amenities can be picked up in a self-service manner at the lobby, including toothbrushes, shampoo, foam cleanser, and cleansing oil.
Shopping at Canal City is until 11 PM, offering various options. Since there are not many outlets in the accommodation, bringing a power strip may be more convenient. Additionally, the coffee machine in the lobby can be used for free from 1 PM to 7 PM.
Transportation and Nearby Restaurants
The location of Canal City is close to Hakata Station, Tenjin Street, and Nakasu, all within a 10-15 minute walk. It is also manageable for walking with kids.
On the basement floor, you can enjoy a wonderful fountain show, and I recommend trying fresh conveyor belt sushi at 'Heyshiro Sushi' and warm motsunabe at 'Ichitaka Motsunabe.' Both places have a table ordering system and provide Korean menus, making it less burdensome for meals with kids.
Ichiran Ramen's main store is located 10 minutes away on foot. The motsunabe specialty store 'Ichitaka' is just a 3-minute walk from the shopping mall and is highly recommended for dinner.
Near the fountain square on the basement floor, you can find McDonald's, Baskin Robbins, and Ramen Station for convenience. Additionally, on the 4th floor of Canal City, various restaurants including Korean food and tendon are available.
Disney Store and Totoro Shop are also known as suitable places for souvenir shopping for children.
Conclusion
If you are planning a family trip to Fukuoka, I recommend Canal City Fukuoka Washington Hotel. This place is an excellent choice as it perfectly combines affordability, convenience, and breakfast service.
Although it is not a resort-level facility, it is conveniently located connected to a large shopping mall. Additionally, the optimized 4-person bed room and stroller paths make it perfect for family travelers. Breakfast for kids is also provided, making it very useful for families with young children.
However, those sensitive to smoking should be mindful in the lobby. This hotel will make family travel in Fukuoka even more special.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. What should be considered when selecting a 4-person room when traveling with family to Fukuoka?
You should consider the spaciousness and completeness of basic amenities, location, breakfast service, and convenience for children.
Since 4-person accommodations are limited when traveling with families in Fukuoka, it is essential to select spacious rooms with basic amenities. Particularly when traveling with children, convenience for moving with strollers and safe paths are crucial. The location of the accommodation should also be selected based on high accessibility to transportation, shopping, and restaurants, and the quality of breakfast service significantly impacts family satisfaction.
Q. What are the advantages of the 4-person room at Canal City Washington Hotel?
Spacious 4-person bed room, connection to the shopping mall, good location, breakfast available, optimized for family travel.
This hotel is directly connected to Canal City shopping mall via the basement floor, making it very easy to move around with kids and strollers. The four single beds ensure that everyone has a comfortable sleep, while the breakfast buffet features various menus, including motsunabe, which are kid-friendly. It is optimally located within a 10-15 minute walk to major tourist sites such as Hakata Station, Tenjin, and Nakasu, making it perfect for family trips.
Q. What are the disadvantages and points to note about the 4-person room at Canal City Washington Hotel?
Cigarette smell issue in the 1st-floor lobby, aging rooms, small bathrooms, lack of washing machines are drawbacks.
The smoking room is located near the lobby, which requires caution for non-smokers, especially those traveling with young children. The room facilities are at the level of a 3-star hotel and are somewhat outdated, and the limited number of TV channels can be disappointing. The bathroom is organized in the characteristic compact manner of Japanese hotels, making it difficult to use large suitcases, and there are not many washing machines available, which could result in wait times.
Q. What are the differences between Fukuoka Grand Hyatt Hotel and Canal City Washington Hotel?
Grand Hyatt is a luxury 5-star hotel; it offers expensive suites only for 4 people, while Washington provides a cost-effective 4-person room.
Grand Hyatt offers luxurious facilities and services, but booking a suite is essential for a family of 4, which can be financially burdensome. In contrast, Canal City Washington Hotel provides a genuine 4-person bed room at a 3-star price, making it suitable for practical family travel. Especially, it excels in terms of location, breakfast service, and convenience due to shopping mall access.
Q. How is the breakfast buffet for the 4-person room at Canal City Washington Hotel?
It's simple but offers high satisfaction for families, and regional specialties like motsunabe are available.
The breakfast features both Western and Japanese options with various menus including scrambled eggs, sausages, rice, and miso soup. The warm and hearty motsunabe hot pot is a special dish served in small quantities, offering a taste of the locale. There are also many kid-friendly options available, resulting in high satisfaction for family travelers.
