Japan: Fukuoka: Hakata Gofukumachi Hostel Takataniya

Hakata Gofukumachi Hostel Takataniya [Inactive in Agoda, 2024]

9-5 Nakagofukumachi, Hakata, Fukuoka, Japan 812-0035

博多 呉服町 ホステル 高谷家

博多区中呉服町 9-5, 博多, 福岡, 日本 812-0035

Email: takataniya[@]gmail.com

Link: http://takataniya.com/English/facility.html

Book Hakata Gofukumachi Hostel Takataniya, Fukuoka in Agoda

Where to Stay? How to choose your hotel or budget guesthouse?

Do you often ask and wonder what is the recommended accommodation to stay in a foreign land? Are you often looking for budget hotels, cheap guesthouses or just simply where to stay?  In travelling anywhere else in the world, planning and researching always go hand in hand - so make sure to enjoy such activity for you to gear up and to know more on what to expect and not on your upcoming journey.

What is an accommodation for you?  Is it something just to sleep-in and to care about nothing?  Are you the type who can sleep anywhere in the middle of the road? Or do you consider it an escape from the busy city that you consider as a temporary humble abode?  Do you consider it as a temporary resting place? 

Are you a planner, who has the time to do your research?  Or you go your way unplanned and just do all the whining after the trip?  Remember, you'll spend money and effort for this temporary escape so make sure to consider small things that will greatly affect your behavior in your trip. 

Where to start your hunting activity?  Browse on the features and offers of agoda, booking, expedia, hotels, trivago, etc. 

2017 June: Macau: Towns Well Hotel

Towns Well Hotel 鎮興旅館
Address: No 6-6A Calcada das Verdades, Macau City (板障堂街哪咤廟斜巷6至6A號, 澳門市)
Email: macauoffice[@]asia1999.com
Dates Stayed: June 02-04, 2017

Price: Expensive (PHP 10,652.78 (Included: Hotel tax 15%, 1 Room, 2 Nights)).  Comparing to other countries, this is expensive for 2 nights.  However, considering that the country has many 4-5 star casino hotel rooms, this “motel” is way much cheaper.  You read it right, it is considered as “hotel” in agoda.com, but their map guide says “motel”.

2016 July: South Korea: Daegu: Sono Business Hotel

Sono Business Hotel 
소노 비즈니스 호텔
86, Myeongnyun-ro, Daegu Central Area, Daegu, South Korea 700-440 
중구 명륜로 86, 대구시내, 대구, 대한민국 700-440
Tel: 82534237778 or Email: sonohouse[@]naver.com
Click to book Sono Business Hotel, Daegu in Agoda
Dates Stayed: July 4-7, 2016

Price: Expensive for private stay, but affordable if you’ll choose the dorm type.

Location: It is strategically located between Line 2 (Banwoldang Exit 2 (with nearby elevator) and Myeongdeok Exit 3) and Line 3 (Monorail) Myeongdeok.  Nearby 2 bus stops. 

2015 Nov: Japan: Nagoya: Hotel Trusty Sakae

Hotel Trusty Nagoya Sakae

Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan

Date Stayed: Nov 13-17, 2015

Book Hotel Trusty Nagoya Sakae, Japan in Agoda

Price: Discounted - Thanks to agoda.com, I got another Insider Deal of almost 60% discount, plus reduction on price by using Rewards Points.  Comparing to booking.com, I got a cheaper deal in agoda.com for less than 25%.

It is still better to prepare hotel booking by comparing prices on the official site and other 3rd party booking sites as an early bird, to have more choices. 

Check-in: It is a late check-in, so there are only few people in the lobby. I was accommodated quickly, the staff can speak clear English.  There is no deposit needed.  Choice of breakfast is already being asked (night before) since it is not buffet type.

Room: (Single Deluxe, 15sqm) Room size in Japan is normally small, it's my fourth visit in Japan - so I already expected that it has good facilities and service - with coffee/tea maker, slippers and toiletries.  Nice to know that they even offer LAN cable, that’s so helpful on my online meeting.

2014 May: Japan: Osaka: Hotel Il Coure

Arrival at Kansai International Airport (KIX)
It is my second time to arrive at Kansai International Airport (KIX).  Since I'll always be out for the earlier time of the day and can't wait for the opening of foreign exchange in Namba, I decided to exchange most of my USD on the counter outside the terminal near the ticket machines for Nankai.

Instead of using the ICOCA machine reload, I went to the ICOCA office for them to do the reload on my behalf. (Before hand, I already have the computation of my estimated train expenses. In total, I’ll spend 10000yen (5000php, 2014) for my 4days-3nights stay in Kansai.)

Going to the Accommodation

From the airport station, I took the Express Rapid Train (yen).  Arrived at Namba Station and took escalators going to Swiss Hotel exit gates.  It is just nearby Subway Exit 5 and main pedestrian crossing going to Hotel Il Coure Namba. 

Price: Average - For walk-ins, it would cost 9000 yen.  So try look for early bird discounts.  I got my 3 nights stay for 20000 yen (8500 php, 2014)

Book Hotel IL Cuore Namba, Osaka in Agoda

Location: Superb - Very accessible from Namba Station.  Take subway exit 5 or exit going to Swiss Hotel.  Staying in Namba means you have direct access from and to the airport, you can take Midosuji Line and Sennichimae Line.  You can also see Namba Parks and Takashimaya.  There are a lot of convenient stores and restaurants around the area.

2014 Feb: South Korea: Seoul: K-pop Residence

My fouth time in South Korea, third time in Seoul and third time to have the base camp in Myeongdong.

Taking an AREX for the second time is less expensive than taking a bus, but I personally prefer the bus since I don’t want line transfers and its hard to bring luggage in stairs (2011-2012).  Unexpectedly, the plane is delayed on its arrival fro 2 hours to pick-up passengers in Manila hub.  That makes our arrival in Incheon delayed from 20:05 to past 22:20.  We still need to take the shuttle train going to main terminal, queue at the Immigration, wait for the luggage, and we can no longer take the airport bus 6015 going Myeongdong.

I still wonder for a while if there is a possibility to take a night bus, until with a snap I got to process my thoughts immediately - "I need 10000 each (thanks to the extra won we have from our previous trips), I need our old T-money." Rushed to 7-11 to top-up, get down to lower ground take the connecting walkalator, rushed to the train entrance (not sure if I did take AREX, but looks like not, it is an all-stop train going to Seoul Station.  We were able to find our way out and we were literally running, Im pushing our 2 4-wheel luggage to speed us up.  When we get on the station entrance, there are already guards, I said "to Myeongdong Station", and they let us pass - this is the last trip from Seoul Station for Line 4 going to Myeongdong.

This year (2014) on Exit 8, there is already an escalator, but because it already passed the operating hours it is no longer moving, we still have to take the stairs.  After crossing 3 sub streets, we were able to find our hostel.

K Pop Residence II Myeongdong

http://md2.kpophouse.co.kr/?lang=en 

Book K Pop Residence II, Seoul, South Korea in Agoda
Reception hours 07:00~23:00

4-2, Myeongdong 2(i)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul

Price: Average for an accommodation in the middle of Myeongdong.  If you prefer cheaper accommodation outside shopping district, there are lot to choose from. 

Location: Good – On the side street of Myeongdong, it is the 4^th and 5^th level of the building, just above Kang Ho Dong’s Baekjeong BBQ restaurant.  Just outside the main street, you’ll immediately see Etude, Face Shop, farther left, you have Forever 21, and GS25 (25-hour convenient store).

2014 Jan: Philippines: Iloilo: Days Hotel

Where to stay in Iloilo?

I prefer the boutique hotels in Smallville area, but these are pretty much new so they still have fewer reviews online and much are not yet found on printed maps.  If you stay here, there is unending night parties on the streets.

We also considered Sarabia Manor Hotel & Convention Center, but decided to stay in Days Hotel Iloilo.

Price: Above Average. 110USD for Classic Deluxe Room 

2013 Nov: China: Beijing: Spring Time Hostel

Where to set your base camp in Beijing?  I initially wanted to stay near Wangfujing area, but I can’t find affordable but still livable hostel in the area.  When you find your hotel make sure that you get location near station that has less transfer from the airport.  From airport to city it is easier to get a taxi but it is hard to get a cab going back to the airport, most of them complain about heavy luggage.

I enlisted Day’s Inn Forbidden City Hotel and Citytel Inn as other options, but it would take more than 5-10 minutes from the nearest train exit.  Since the days we have visited would have a minimum of -.05 to -5 Celsius, I wanted to stay somewhere very close to train exit/entrance.

I did the reservation from booking.com for Spring Time Hostel and paid 900 cyn upon our arrival.  They also required us with 100 cyn deposit for the keys, which will be returned upon check-out.

Location: Good - It is a stone-throw away from Dongsi Station, Exit G from Subway Line 6 or Exit D from Subway Line 5.  There is Holiland bakeshop and café on the same corner of the hotel.  Across there is a supermarket, McDonalds, banks and post office.  It is 3 stations away from Wangfujing and will take around 15 minutes walking to reach the Street Food Market in Donghuamen St.

Check-in Experience: Not the Best – There is main person behind the desk talking to his colleague sitting outside the desk, they were guessing where we came from and bit talking about us being from Philippines.  I’m the one talking to them so that made me uncomfortable (going back to the thought, that it is not yet time for us to visit their country).  Once the payment was settled, we were escorted to our room.  There is a 2-step staircase that we passed by and he never offered assistance to us.

2013 Nov: Ibis Beijing Capital Airport

"We have just landed Beijing International Airport. Ground temperature is 0 degrees Celsius" these were the words of the captain on our 5J672 flight on third Tuesday of November 2013.  [Read]

Try to study your way out to avoid tourist traps.  Upon exiting the Arrival Gates, we are already asked by more than 3 people offering taxi transportation.. We found the official taxi lane, but there are fixers who took our bag and led us to a different van compared to normal taxis.

We are already seated inside the van and offered 200yuan (1200php) transfer to a nearby hotel, where I have studied that it is just 11yuan (66php).  Luckily that he still allowed us to step-out. Some other men are saying that ordinary taxis will not take us since it is just short distance.  Another man offered same price, but we tried to haggle and try to get back in the official lane, he started to give a fare of 200, then 150, then 100. I said fine for 100 since its nearly getting a negative temperature (but try to haggle down if you can do so).

Ibis Beijing Capital Airport

Address: No.2 Tianzhu Middle Street, Tianzhu Town, Shunyi District, Beijing 101312, China (Beijing Capital International Airport)

Book ibis Beijing Capital Airport, Beijing in Agoda

http://www.tripadvisor.com

Since airport express’ last trip to city from T2 is at 23:10 and since we prefer not to sleep in Terminal 2, we have then booked at Ibis Beijing Capital Airport since it is very close to the airport. 

Book ibis Beijing Capital Airport, Beijing in Agoda

We arrived at around 1:30 am and the reception officer assigned on that morning is very cold in welcoming us (just like the weather). Obviously showing actions that are not so helpful, has very limited answers and she is very sleepy.

Hotel has an elevator and we immediately went to our room.  It is spacious more than to what I expected.  It has window glass, good lighting, clean and soft beddings.  They also offer two bottled water, electric thermos, slippers, basic toiletries, hangers, cabinet, television (no English channel).

If you will avail their free transport service, make sure that you book a  reservation two hours prior to your departure schedule and please be reminded that this is for free.

2013 Apr: Philippines: Batangas, Club Balai Isabel

The first time I visited this place was on a rainy evening in 2011, when I'm suffering from fever and I was not able to enjoy the pool area.  I must say that visiting it on a summer day of 2013 is a better experience.

Club Balai Isabel

Barangay Banga, Talisay, Batangas, Philippines

Book Club Balai Isabel Hotel, Batangas in Agoda

2013 Jan: Philippines: Albay: Ellis Ecotel

After several cancelled flights of Naga and Legazpi due to experienced cold front and rain showers in the early weeks of January, glad that we were able to depart from Manila in a sunny Sunday morning this week.

2012 Nov: Hearton Shinsaibashi Hotel

Hearton Hotel Shinsaibashi 

ハートンホテル心斎橋

Nishi Shinsaibashi, 1-5-24, Chuo Ku, Namba / Shinsaibashi, Osaka, Japan 542-0086 

中央区西心斎橋1-5-24 大阪市, 542-0086

Book Hearton Hotel Shinsaibashi, Osaka in Agoda

The front desk attendees are able to speak clear English, good in giving directions and are very kind.

Booking a hotel during an autumn stay in Japan is just so hard.  If you are in doubt about this third party site you can read the reviews in Trip Advisor . For follow-up validation, you can also directly contact the hotel to check your reservation.

At the lobby, they have one computer unit which has a charge of 100yen (500php, 2012) for usage 10 minutes.  Payphone, printer, maps, simple souvenirs and other goodies are also available.

2012 Nov: Philippines: Go Hotels in Mandaluyong

Go Hotels (http://gohotels.ph)
Location: UG/F, Robinsons Cybergate Plaza, EDSA cor. Pioneer Street, Mandaluyong City

An inexpensive and very decent hotel for every Juan and foreign travelers brought to you by the Robinsons Land Corporation (Gokongwei Group).

Found in several locations in the Philippine provinces: Bacolod, Dumaguete, Puerto Princesa and Tacloban.  

Opened two years ago (2010) in Cyber Park Mandaluyong, I was able to grab their promo for a queen room worth 435php only (which is normally at 1088php).  As what I think the first inexpensive boutique hotel not motel (especially in the Philippines) I'm eager to review this.  Of course it took me sometime to visit the area since spending money for a room where I have my own bed and house to sleep in the metro is odd.

Book Go Hotels Mandaluyong in Agoda

Setting expectations!  An excerpt from their Confirmation mail:
Value Hotel Concept with 8 unique selling propositions:
            1. Hotel quality beds
            2. Hot & Cold rain shower
            3. Wi-Fi access
            4. 22-inch LCD TV with cable
            5. Safe and secure environment
            6. Convenient location
            7. Access to transport
            8. Fun and friendly

Each room is fully air-conditioned and equipped with a 22-inch LCD TV with cable, in-room intercom system, option of two (2) single beds or one (1) double bed, full vanity mirror, two (2) pillows, duvet, intercom, in-room safe, bath towel, hot and cold shower, single-use soap and shampoo, and tissue paper.

Rooms are not equipped with the following: room service, radio, wardrobe, bathrobe, hairdryer, mini-bar, tea or coffee making facilities, or drinking glasses. 

Let’s start the stay-cation review!

The receiving area is spacious with entertainment TV and several comfortable seats.  Designed in yellow and while with some flower accents on the side.

2012 April: Malaysia: Overnight at Tune Hotel, KL-LCCT

An unplanned trip (or should I say just keeping the words I said a year ago)!  But since there is a low fare offered by Air Asia last year (May 24, 2011) thus, I'm here again at the airport even if it is just 17 days since my last Asian trip (Busan on March 28 – April 1, 2012).

I wanted to travel and I love doing it, so even if I have a busy work life I will always find a way to make them go together.  Right after work in Ortigas, I picked up my luggage at McKinley (had a quick afternoon snack with my sister) then head to NAIA Terminal 3. And YES, thank you to my April co-passengers who were able to read the in-flight magazine (catch my blog, mentioned on page 144 on Smile April and May edition).

Play Time at the Airport - Arriving 3 hours before my flight is really a carefree feeling.  Enough time to do my running while playing on those push carts.  Contrary on how I describe myself as a “suite case traveler in Asia”, this would be my first international flight where I only have a hand carry.  (The last time I tried it was on flight to Kota Kinabalu, April 2010 and I end up paying for my excess baggage).  Prior to actual check-in my bag is 7.5kgs, upon check-in it became 6.4kg!  How did I do it?  It’s a nice move to carry separately your DSLR while checking-in with light fares.  

Immigration - I don’t like being asked by the officer whose as if interrogating me – You are going to KL, yet your return flight is from SG, can’t you find a flight straight from KL?  Are you working there? No! "Are you working here?". I said "yes", showed my id and viola, she finally marked my passport and let me in. 

X-ray - Congratulations to my monopod, it was able to pass the x-ray as well.

What’s new @ T3?  Okay done with the prequel, now waiting on my boarding here at gate 110.  You'll not miss what's new in this area - there are now installed Samsung LCDs at boarding gates.

Past 12 midnight, we arrived at Kuala Lumpur Low Cost Carrier Terminal or KL-LCCT.  I still have few Ringgit back then, so I did not bother getting their money.  I immediately asked someone on how can I get to Tunes Hotel.  Honestly, I did not understand her answer.  Perhaps, because it was unclear, I'm not paying attention or I'm still sleepy.  I ended up walking for 10-15 minutes, passing 2 car parks, until I reached the hotel.  But you can actually take a service bus from/to Domestic Arrival area for only 1RM.

Tune Hotels - Hotel Review

Tune Hotels is the partner hotel of Air Asia.  Upon booking at their site, I was surprise as this is my first time to see a hotel where the facilities are being paid per service.  You want to have any of the following, you need to pay additional fee for each.

• Air Conditioning (12 hours) at 14MYR
• Air Conditioning (24 hours) at 20MYR
• Towel Rental + Essential Toiletry Kit at 6MYR
• WIFI Connection per device (24 hours) at 12MYR
• Breakfast Set at 6MYR
• Tune Hotels Insurance at 5MYR

Notice the minutes left on every featured you paid for.

Philippines: Batangas: Canyon Cove

Valued at 50% discount on Ensogo (http://www.ensogo.com.ph) early this year, we bought 2 vouchers of Canyon Cove for our summer getaway.  But since it is peak season, we moved our reservation in time for my mom’s birthday this June.

Known to be the start of the typhoon season, we were never wrong.  We arrived at the area wet and wild after a two-to-three hour drive from Las Pinas City.  The lobby is at its noisiest state from check-out (12nn) to check-in (3pm), especially that they offered it in a cheaper price.  Tip: If you want to sit and all the sofas are not available, go to Level-3, there are other sofas overlooking the lobby, with grand piano that can be used.

We requested for 2 adjacent rooms and glad it was granted, we are at the center building with superior rooms 444 and 445.

The hotel website (http://www.canyoncove.com.ph/rooms.php) says the truth:

All guestrooms feature a balcony overlooking the pool, garden, or the South China Sea. They are also furnished with a mini-refreshment bar and flat-screen cable TV. Their well-appointed bath has a separate shower and tub.

A coffee/tea maker and electronic safe are also provided.

2011 November: South Korea: Green Residence

I arrived at Gimpo Domestic Terminal, Wednesday, Nov 16 2011 11.55 am. I asked the information counter on which parking area will I be able to take bus 6001. It is on area #4-5 and was able to catch it after waiting for 10mins. The fare is 13000won (520php) for almost an hour travel time to Myeongdong (Stop: Sejong Hotel). On the street near Exit 8, I walked straight until I reached ABC shop. Behind the bank is a double glass-door, inside is the elevator going to 17F for the Green Residence.

Green Residence
Location: 17F Tae Heung Building, Myeongdong, Seoul
Website: http://www.seoulgreen.com/index.html (page no longer available)
Trip Advisor Reviews

I started my inquiries with them by July and finalized my booking on the same month for my stay on November. They also agreed that I can pay on cash upon arrival and there is no need to provide the credit card details. I again reminded them of my booking a month, then next, a week before my arrival.

Shoes are not allowed inside the hostel, so you have to change to their provided slippers. The lady was very good in letting me know their facilities, she tour me around and discussed some ground rules.

This hotel has very negative review on Trip Advisor but I still decided to book here because of:
1. weather: I think, since it is a cold Autumn, I don’t think I would need an air conditioner or fan; and
2. location: it is not on an elevated area and is on the center of Myeongdong
Good thing I did not feel suffocated on this very small box.

2011 December: Philippines: Bohol: Metro Centre

From Panglao, we decided to have an overnight stay at Tagbilaran - we booked for a Superior B room at Metro Centre. We had a very good stay here.

Place: MetroCentre Hotel and Convention Center
Address: C.P.G. Avenue, Tagbilaran City Bohol 6300, Philippines

The hotel lobby is well lighted, they already have Christmas decorations.

2011 December: Philippines: Bohol: Alona Beach: Lost Horizon Hotel

Our flight from Manila is delayed by around 30 minutes due to busy departure schedule. Travel time going to Tagbilaran is 1 hr and 5 minutes. "Your flight is not complete, without the Fun Games," - I won a tumbler for being the first one to raise a family picture.

We already booked the airport transfer from the hotel, it is 500 php from the airport to Panglao for about 30 minutes without traffic.

On our previous trip, we stayed at Dumaluan beach. Now we are staying at Alona beach – specifally at Lost Horizon Hotel. We booked the Modern Standard room for 2500php/night, plus 400php for the additional person. We opted not to get the extra bed as the queen size bed is enough for the three of us. I'm very satisfied with the place, good sea and pool view from our room. It is well lighted and I like the glass wall. The bed is soft and with clean sheets. The room has electric thermos, cups and complimentary coffee set and bottled water. Also, has a television with less than 30 cable channels (diversed from English, Korean, Macanese, etc.). They also provide a cabinet with hangers, table with monoblock chairs, refrigerator and full body mirror. The bathroom is spacious, well provided hot and cold water, and offers basic toiletries and towels.

Lost Horizon Beach Resort
Location: Alona Beach, Tawala, Panglao, Bohol, Philippines
Email:losthorizonresort@gmail.com