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Kyushu's Saga City Hotel Review: My Night as a Female Traveler (And Why I'd Return)
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Being a Malaysian girl who just came back from a ¥8,800 Michelin feast that was decided on a whim, on top of the fact that she splurged on Michelin-starred ryokan as well as a luxury stay in Takachiho, this is when I desperately needed a crash pad that won't bankrupt us. So here we are, welcome to Saga City Hotel - our budget savior with some... quirks(?) And here's my unfiltered review as someone who slept in their single room while friends stayed in the double!
The Room That Surprised Me (And My Suitcase)
The reason we booked here wasn't complicated. We were in a peak traveling season, and on top of the fact that Kunen-an was also open and it a 9-autumn-days-in-a-year thing. There were other options too, but they were either way out of our budget, or my friends didn't fancy the idea of shared shower rooms with other guests. Not to mention, we originally also planned to stay close to downtown in case we'd still want to shop more after checking in, so Saga City Hotel was the perfect choice for us, because on average we only spent RM197 per person for a night's stay (based on the conversation rate when we visited), and it came with breakfast!
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| The reading area outside the public bath |
However, there was a catch. They do not offer triple rooms. So after splitting from my friends (they took the double room), I entered my small double room (booked for single use) with APA Hotel room size expectations in my mind. Instead, I found:
- ✅ A bed where I could have two pillows for myself
- ✅ A bedside table with LAN cable outlet
- ✅ Full-length mirror for outfit checks
- ✅ Smart TV positioned for bed-viewing
- ✅ Shopaholic-approved floor space for luggage Tetris!
On top of the fact that I can also choose a non-smoking room when most city hotels could cost me RM300+ per night? This is a good deal that I can take on anytime.
Also, to be honest, after I had my shower to unpack and repack everything like a Tetris champion, I had the time to finally unwind before I take a short nap until the public bath's opening hour for a good soak. I decided to watch some TV and sleep since it was close to 9.20 PM by the time we checked in, and nothing much would be open in downtown by then for us to do some last-minute shopping.
What They Don't Tell You About the Bathrooms
It all sounded too perfect so far, right? There's still another catch. The bathroom felt like a product of IKEA showroom attached to a typical Japanese business hotel - small, less spacious, and it certainly felt old and almost detachable is what I'd describe the bathroom of my room. But hey, it's still very functional!
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| Public indoor hot bath in the hotel (not in the room, you share it with strangers, and this photo is courtesy to the hotel, you are not supposed to bring your phone beyond the changing area) |
Pro tips if you struggle with small showers and baths:
- 🧖 Shower curtain sticking to your arm? Angle the showerhead slightly closer to the walls, and stand away from the curtains a little more.
- 🚪 Gap under bathroom door? Remind yourself to lock your room to feel more peace.
- 🛁 If the mini tub doesn't satisfy you - head to the gender-separated public bath instead.
5 AM Real Talk: The Good, The Bad, The Quirky
As someone who traveled to Japan solo, for business trips, as well as with friends, there are always things that we would love or hate with everywhere I stayed, and there's no exception for Saga City Hotel. However, I know not everyone can enjoy public baths like I do, so in this segment I'll share the pros and cons of the hotel, and let you decide!
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| Drinks Area in Breakfast Dining Hall |
👍 Why We Loved It
- ¥500 parking (rare for city hotels, because we paid double in Kumamoto!)
- Breakfast buffet with decent options of food and drinks
- Library lounge with manga/comics
- Short walk to Saga Station and downtown
- Single room is also suitable for solo travelers
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| Breakfast Buffet Area- Yes that's everything you're seeing from the lobby |
👎 What Needs Work
- Thin walls (pack earplugs!) - I can hear the sounds of people dragging suitcases...
- 1980s decor vibes - If you're not a fan of old-looking places...
- Breakfast area feels cramped - Come early to secure seats!
- No real onsen - Just standard shared heated baths
Essential Tips for First-Timers
Perhaps you're here in Saga for Kunen-an like us, or perhaps if you're here a little earlier in November you might get to see hot air balloons! Whether you're here for Saga beef, for the history of Saga, or just simply here to vibe, there's a tip for everyone who hasn't stayed here before.
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| Twin Room (or Double, they mean the same) in Saga City Hotel |
From one solo traveler to another:
- Room Type Matters:
- Solo? If you're a girl, there are no capsule rooms for you (for males only) but small double rooms are perfect
- Couples? Semi-double is for you only if you two can cuddle all night (or book elsewhere, I'm serious because it's gonna be cramped you won't have enough space for multiple suitcases)
- Families? Be ready to sleep in separate rooms (no, there are no connecting rooms, so I recommend booking elsewhere especially when you have young children)
- Bath Schedule: Public baths open 5AM-11PM (ideal post-dinner or early morning)
- Language Hack: Use Google Translate + their English info sheets
- Check-in: Arrive after 3PM, and before 9PM. There's a welcome drink!
Is Saga City Hotel Worth It? My Final Take
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| As a tall girlie you have no idea how happy I was to find a full length mirror where I can actually fit completely... |
For about ¥6,500/night, I'd personally rate it as a 3.75/5 star experience:
- 🎯 Perfect for: Budget travelers, solo females, 1-2 night stays, short business trips
- 🚫 Avoid if: You want luxury amenities or true onsen
Would I return? Yes - but only for short stays. The convenience and breakfast make up for the aging facilities. As long as you don't expect Ritz-Carlton pampering, you'll be fineeeeeee!
*Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you book through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps keep the blog running - thank you! 🙏
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