Karatsu Seaside Hotel

Karatsu Seaside Hotel consists of two types of hotels: the East Wing and the West Wing. We always stay in the East Wing because it has a rooftop heated swimming pool. The owner company is a confectionery shop, so we received a free cake at Christmas.

During our recent Kyushu trip, we spent two nights at the Seaside Karatsu Hotel. We drove from Fukuoka with a rental car. Arrival at the hotel was swift and our luggage was whisked away. There is ample free parking available. Check-in was also quick and the staff in general speak good English, so communication is easy. We booked a luxury twin room in the East Wing (directly on the hotel webpage) which was huge at 62m2, very clean and well maintained. It boasted great sea views even from the shower / bathtub. There is also a daily welcome cake served in the lobby. The onsen facilities in the East Wing are modern, well maintained and very clean. The onsen baths are, as usual in Japan, separated for men and women and there is a common space with pools. Do not miss the thermal pool (36 degrees) on the rooftop floor! Great sea view from the 8th floor - and a spectacle during sunset. We took a taxi in the evening and dined at a Izakaya in Karatsu (Tsukomo - recommended as well) and therefore only sampled the ample breakfast buffet with mainly Japanese options. To note, I believe we were the only Western guests on the first day and maybe another couple on the second day. Sleep was great. You could hear people passing in the hallway but it did not disturb us. So, all in all, we had a great time and at least for Europeans, this hotel provides great value for money.

I used the East Building in mid-April. Fortunately, the weather was good, so we enjoyed the great location with the ocean view. It was like a private beach because there were still almost no people on the beach. The view from the rooftop thermal bath (only for overnight guests in the East Wing) - East Wing 8F - was good, and the climate was just right and pleasant. There was also a rental swimsuit, so you didn't have to bring one. Of course, the rooms were spacious, beautiful and comfortable. I want to use it again.