We were happy staying here the night before an early morning flight. The rooms are large by Japanese standards, and the breakfast was good, with plenty of selection (both Japanese and western). They offer simple evening meals (until 21.00) in the decidedly unromantic breakfast area, but we walked 5 minutes west along the highway to a Joyfun restaurant (Japan's answer to Dennies) where simple cheap food and drink did the job perfectly well. There are various other restaurants (mostly ramen or udon joints) dotted along the highway. It takes about 10-15 minutes to walk to the rail station (not recommended in poor weather or with heavy bags: take a taxi). The taxi to the airport costs around 1500 Yen and the journey takes 15 minutes. Great views east to Mount Aso volcano. The hotel does the job it was meant to do: service short-stay passengers travelling through the airport.

I travel to Kumamoto for work, and this hotel is near my worksite, so I have at times practically lived here. Other US colleagues have stayed and liked this hotel. The rooms are bigger than your standard Japanese "business hotel." Some of the furnishings are EXACTLY the same as Sleep Inns that I've stayed at in the US. Like most Japanese hotels, the staff are excellent and very courteous. Sleep Inns in Japan also offer a 1 night free for every 10 nights paid "points card."

There are cheap places to eat, like Joyfull family restaurant, right down the road. The hotel has a breakfast in the lobby. There is a grocery store behind the hospital across the street. Also, the hotel has some deals going with several local restaurants, so that you can get a free small glass of beer if you show your room keycard.

Getting to the center of Kumamoto is relatively easy by train, but entails a 560 yen taxi ride or a 20 minute walk. A taxi will set you back about 5000 yen. If you have a rental car, there are hot springs and Aso volcano to visit on your days off.