The Lively Fukuoka Hakata is a trendy hotel in Fukuoka City that you just can’t miss. Centrally located and within walking distance of a direct subway line to Fukuoka Airport, this hotel is perfect for couples, friends, and business travelers.
What’s the hotel like?
We can’t emphasize enough just how trendy The Lively Fukuoka Hakata hotel is — it oozes modern aesthetics and Instagrammable vibes. Expect dark neutral colours with black metal finishes and wood touches for a hint of class. It feels like everything was designed with extreme attention to detail.
With numerous lounge areas, a bar, and an open plan co-working place, the hotel is great for socializing and making new friends.
What facilities does the hotel have?
The Lively has an in-house restaurant and bar. In the morning, the restaurant serves up a delicious breakfast, while in the evenings you can take advantage of happy hour to snag free drinks at the bar.
There’s also a co-working space, with plenty of desks and power outlets. However, keep in mind that there aren’t private meeting spaces. For large events, companies may want to take advantage of the conference hall.
Is there anywhere to hang out in the hotel?
The hotel has lounges and sitting areas set up in the lobby and the second floor co-working area. There’s also a pool table in the co-working area, so it’s a great way to make some new friends. And of course, you can hang out at the swanky bar too.
What are the rooms like?
The rooms at The Lively Fukuoka Hakata don’t disappoint — they are just as trendy as the rest of the hotel.
How big are the rooms?
While not overly large, the rooms are a fair size — they don’t feel cramped and squishy like in many other Japanese hotels. However, two adults traveling with a lot of luggage may start to feel the squeeze.
Are the rooms comfortable?
The room itself is quite comfortable; the mattress and pillows are neither too hard nor too soft. However, unlike other hotels, only one pillow type is supplied.
Also, we need to talk about the bathroom — which has a strangely airplane-like aesthetic that is both dark and disappointingly cramped. It’s also quite a tall step up into the bath unit, so those with limited mobility may have a tough time.
What’s the view like?
Considering how cool the rest of the hotel is, you’d be forgiven for thinking there’ll also be cool views. Alas, that is not the case. For the most part, all you’ll see is the side of other buildings.
What’s the location like?
The Lively Fukuoka Hakata is in a good central location. There is access to public transport, but the hotel is not on a main street, so noise from traffic isn’t an issue.
How do I get there from the airports?
From Fukuoka Airport, take the Airport Line subway for about 10 minutes to Nakasukawabata Station. Then it’s less than a 5-minute walk to the Lively.
How is the access to trains and subway?
Nakasukawabata Station is less than a 5-minute walk from the hotel. This gives you direct access to both Hakata Station and Fukuoka Airport. There are also several bus stops within walking distance.
What’s the surrounding neighborhood like?
The neighborhood has lots of nearby restaurants, shops, and entertainment options. This means the area is well, lively, in the evenings. It’s also in a more modern part of town, so don’t expect to find many traditional charms.
Are there any good places to eat nearby?
Yes, there are plenty of good restaurants nearby. The hotel itself has a restaurant, as do many of the other hotels in the area, and just a short walk away you’ll find plenty more at a range of price points.
What points of interest are within walking distance of the hotel?
The Fukuoka Asian Art Museum and the Fukuoka Anpanman Children’s Museum are next door to one another and less than a 5-minute walk from the hotel. Nakasu Yatai Yokochō is also only a 10-minute walk away.
Should I order the breakfast?
For breakfast, you can choose from a selection of four mains, plus there’s a buffet with a salad bar, yogurt, fruit, and cereal. The salad bar has a nice selection of different options, like roasted root vegetable or mushroom and pancetta. There are also some interesting sides like quiche and onion rings, but no breads or pastries.
During our visit, the mains were a selection of different “croffles”, which we personally weren’t fussed on, but many others enjoyed.
Who should stay here?
The Lively is definitely geared towards a younger crowd, and is popular with friend groups and couples. Business travelers and remote workers will also appreciate the co-working set-up.
How eco-friendly is The Lively Fukuoka Hakata?
Following recent trends, the Lively doesn’t supply disposable amenities in the rooms anymore. Instead, you have to take them yourself — they have disposable toiletries and a selection of teabags for drinks.