On a business trip to Fukuoka, Japan, this is the only hotel I’ve stayed at three times!
My first Ritz-Carlton experience in Japan happened to be in Fukuoka. As the newest Ritz-Carlton in Japan and the first Marriott luxury property in Kyushu, it chose Fukuoka—a relatively niche city—which makes it quite unique.
Fukuoka is a city with a significant Korean and Shanghainese population. The immigration card comes in four languages: Japanese, Korean, Chinese, and English, likely due to its proximity and convenient transportation. This time, I flew from Shanghai Pudong Airport and landed smoothly in Fukuoka in just an hour and a half.
The hotel isn’t far from the airport, just a 10-minute drive away. The airport transfer service is particularly impressive, using an Aston Martin DBX. The elderly chauffeur, dressed formally with driver’s gloves, looked exactly like the butler from Kaito Kid—very stylish. He mentioned it had been raining just days before my arrival, but I enjoyed clear blue skies throughout my stay—what incredible luck.
The ocean is clearly visible from the hotel lobby. Though it’s a bit distant, the lack of tall buildings nearby ensures a fantastic view.
🏘️ Room Type/Layout:
Designed by Layan, the hotel draws inspiration from Fukuoka’s traditional craft, "Hakata-ori." Woven creative elements are everywhere, perfectly embodying the theme. The lobby is on the 18th floor, and the elevator to the first floor is separated by an artistic screen, ensuring privacy. The Fukuoka Ritz-Carlton generously upgraded me to a Select Suite, which was excellent in every way.
🛌 Amenities/Facilities:
The hotel is filled with art—screens, woven pieces, and floral arrangements adorn every space without feeling cluttered. Layan’s design truly shines. On the same floor as the lobby, there’s a dining area: Genjyu features massive mineral decorations at its entrance, the Elephant Bar offers sunset views, Viridis appears to be an all-day dining spot (I didn’t try it, so I’m not sure), and Bay Grill doubles as an open-air bar for casual drinks. The pool, located on the top floor, used to be overcrowded due to influencer visits, but it’s now pay-to-use (around ¥100+; complimentary for Titanium Elite members and above). I checked it out—it’s stunning, with open views and basic spa facilities like a sauna available for free.
🧹 Soundproofing/Cleanliness:
The overall experience was comfortable, and cleanliness was impeccable.
💗 Other Tips:
- The hotel breakfast is decent, covering basic needs.
- Don’t miss Hakata ramen in Fukuoka. I didn’t plan ahead and went to Ichiran’s flagship store, a 10-minute taxi ride or a subway + walk from the hotel. The flagship has longer lines, but the taste is similar to other branches—still worth the visit. This was my third Ichiran after New York and Hong Kong. If you have time, research and try local ramen spots with unique flavors.
Overall, the Fukuoka Ritz-Carlton delivers on design, facilities, and service, living up to its luxury branding and making for a wonderful stay.