Guest room and spa-style bath at The Ritz-Carlton, Fukuoka
The city of Fukuoka may not yet be on every traveler’s Japan itinerary, but as the largest city on the southern island of Kyushu, it’s worth a visit, whether you’re interested in art, gardens, or lively street food culture, or as a base for exploring farther south.
Fukuoka is easy to reach from Tokyo, Osaka, or Kyoto on the super-speedy Shinkansen “bullet” train, and if you book a stay at the city’s most elegant lodging, The Ritz-Carlton, Fukuoka, you’ll be well pampered. In fact, it would be tempting to spend all your Fukuoka time inside this luxurious urban resort.
Here’s the scoop:
The Ritz-Carlton, Fukuoka
The Ritz-Carlton, Fukuoka opened in 2023, occupying floors 18-24 of a newly built tower in the city’s Tenjin district, with offices and shops on the lower levels.
The hotel lobby, reception area, and several restaurants are located on the 18th floor, with guest rooms on floors 19 to 23. The 24th floor houses the spa, fitness center, swimming pool, and the Bay Bar, as well as the private Club Lounge, which offers a dedicated check-in area, private concierge, and included dining for guests who book the club rooms.
The rooms at The Ritz-Carlton, Fukuoka are particularly spacious.
Guest Rooms and Amenities
The Ritz-Carlton, Fukuoka has 167 guest rooms, including 20 suites. Even the smallest of these units, the standard king or double-double rooms, measure a spacious 538 square feet (50sqm), which is particularly generous compared to many Japanese hotels. The high-floor location means that all rooms have views of the city skyline, and some look out to Hakata Bay.
The large bathrooms with both showers and soaker tubs have glass walls open to the bedroom. But don’t worry if you’re feeling modest or if you’re worried about disturbing your sleeping partner. A sliding door closes off the bath area when you need privacy. The toilet is separate, located in its own compartment.
Room amenities include robes and slippers, espresso machines, tea kettles with a selection of teas and lovely ceramic teacups, a mini fridge, and a safe. You can control the lights and window blinds from a convenient panel next to the bed, and rooms have ample electrical outlets, both by the bed and in other areas of the room where you might want them.
The fitness center overlooks the city.
Facilities and Services
The hotel’s spacious window-lined fitness center overlooks the city to motivate your workout with urban and mountain views. But my favorite spot was the indoor infinity pool, where, as you swim, you can see the sea.
Even better views from the hotel’s rooftop infinity pool.
The Ritz-Carlton, Fukuoka, distinguishes itself with service, as efficient staff members hurry to greet arriving guests and offer a welcome cup of tea, call the elevator, assist with luggage, and generally help with whatever you might need.
The hotel can arrange various cultural experiences as well, from traditional craft projects to a classic tea ceremony, to expand your knowledge of the region’s culture.
Opt for omakase at Genjyu at The Ritz-Carlton, Fukuoka.
Dining & Drinking Options
The Ritz-Carlton, Fukuoka, has several restaurants and bars. Genjyu, the hotel’s Japanese restaurant, is actually three restaurants in one, with separate rooms offering sushi, teppanyaki, and more formal kaiseki meals. Book a seat at the Genjyu sushi counter for excellent omakase — a good value at lunch — and let the chef feed you a variety of local seafood, along with catches from other regions of Japan.
Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Viridis offers a more international menu, starting with an extensive morning buffet. In the evening, guests can choose between the à la carte or fixed multi-course menus that lean toward the Mediterranean and southern Europe.
Diva, off the lobby, serves coffee, tea, and pastries, as well as a more formal afternoon tea. The Lobby Lounge & Bar offers light meals and cocktails, with late afternoon views of the setting sun.
But the best sunset views may be from the 24th-floor terrace adjacent to the Bay Bar, where you can watch the sun go down behind the hills as you enjoy a cocktail or mocktail and toast to your Fukuoka day.
Watch the sunset from the terrace at The Ritz-Carlton, Fukuoka.
Rates
Double room rates at The Ritz-Carlton, Fukuoka, start at the equivalent of approximately USD$700 per night.
Check rates for The Ritz-Carlton, Fukuoka online at Expedia, Booking.com, Agoda, or Hotels.com.
Hotel feature by Vancouver-based travel, food, and feature writer Carolyn B. Heller. Photos © Carolyn B. Heller. The Ritz-Carlton, Fukuoka, hosted my stay for review purposes while I was traveling in Japan.
