There seemed to be some sort of problem with the plumbing as the rooms were very smelly.

Staff were generally efficient but definitely needed better customer service training. Particularly the men. The women seemed to provide much better customer service overall.

The beds were reasonably comfortable but I was not convinced of their cleanliness.

Checkout was lengthy and not especially efficient.

The lobby is gorgeous but the rest of the hotel needs a serious overhaul.

Would never return.

If you've travelled much in Japan, you'll be familiar with business hotels - small rooms, functional bathrooms, presentable, with enough service to be useful, but no frills. This is one, but at the upper end of the scale.

The staff were fairly efficient (Hyatt training at work) but a little fazed by foreigners. The rooms are generous by Japanese standards tho' you won't pack much luggage in without feeling cramped, with a small bathroom that's one size up from a unit-bath. There's a kettle, and fast LAN-cable internet. The bed was comfortable, the "king size" bed the same size as some singles I've slept in in the US, but again, about what you'd expect. The room was clean and everything worked.

I didn't use any of the hotel's facilities, but looking at the sign board they get a good stream of function traffic. The neighbourhood's quiet, about 7-10 minutes walk from Hakata main station, opposite a small park. Taxis were plentiful.

So if the location and price suit you, you'll get predictable, solid value here. This is at the lower end of Hyatt properties, the top end of Japanese business hotels, and I had no complaints.

On my annual business visit to Fukuoka, this year traveling with a colleague, I decided to try something different here. On last year's visit I was unimpressed with the Crowne Plaza, and decided on this Hyatt Regency which is a similar distance from the Hakata train station.

I note several of the last reviews refer to this hotel as a "Japanese business hotel". Nothing could be further from the truth. Even the smallest rooms at this Hyatt are double the size of a real "business" hotel in Japan. While I was upgraded to a junior suite, my colleague had a standard size room and found it spacious for Japan.

Set in the "quiet" side of the station this hotel was an easy five minute walk (although not shown on the train station maps). The building is truly magnificent looking, with huge rotunda and elegant design.

The high-speed internet (free) worked very well, and VPN adjustment was easy for the business traveler. Staff were hospitable although unlike Tokyo, few spoke conversational English (true everywhere in Fukuoka). Television had satellite feeds; CNN International was the only English available. In this time with easy access to other broadcasts at nominal charge, it would be nice if MSNBC was available.

The only slight drawback was the limited (by Asian hotel standards) selections at the breakfast buffet. On our five night stay, the repetition got a little boring.

Fortunately for a Japanese hotel this does actually have non-smoking rooms, which can be a big plus given how heavily some Japanese businessfolk smoke.

Room wise, a bit on the small side - I stayed here twice - 1st time round getting out of one side of the bed was a challenge - 2nd time there was enough space. Has a flat screen TV, tea making facilities, nice bathroom consumables. Bed is OK, pillows were a mix of OK and pointless. Views from our 10th floor room were nothing to shout about, but Fukuoka isn't that pretty a city so not much of a let down.

Service was friendly and quick - enough English spoken so that tired and confused travellers can get by - and when we asked for extra pillows they were at our room in 10 minutes.

Location is ok - about 5 mins walk from Hakata station which gives access to national rail and local subway. For an easy breakfast the hotel has a bakery - I didn't go near the buffet so can't comment on that.

Basically an OK hotel, nothing to pull you back but not a bad palce either.