After a long, long flight to Japan, including three flights and two layovers, I was sufficiently tired by the time my ride arrived at the Hakata Excel Hotel in Fukuoka. After a quick and easy check-in, within 10 minutes I was up in my room and resting up for an early morning of exploring Western Japan.

My own room was small but efficient with a queen-sized bed, small table and chair and tight bathroom — compact in comparison to our Western hotel restrooms but standard-plus for Japan.

When researching the hotel, I found it actual offers a wide variety of accommodations, including a Standard Single Women’s Room with pink-colored everything and girly, flowery touches. The room options are almost endless, from Standard Double to 11th and 12th Floor Superior Rooms — some fitting five guests comfortably.

The 4-star hotel may be a bit tucked-away in the sea of bright lights and advertisements but offers a host of quick-in-and-out opportunities.

With some time to explore on my second night in the city, I realized the Red Light District of Fukuoka basically means vibrant nightlife attractions, quirky shops and an amazing foodie scene. On what looked like a Friday night, based on the busy streets and packed cocktail lounges, a Tuesday night in Fukuoka was just getting started around 10 p.m.

— Angelique Platas, associate editor