The location was very good, being across the road and half a block south of Kumamoto station, only a few minutes' walk away and central enough that exploring the city on foot was also quite convenient and enjoyable. The staff were very friendly, including one concierge who spoke a decent amount of English and had quite a sense of humour. (His eyes popped out when I told him I had spent the day over in Nagasaki; I think sometimes Japanese people don't realise how good their trains are.) The breakfast buffet was also very good with lots of options that are Westerner-friendly. There are public bath and internet cafe facilities but I didn't need to make use of them. The hotel wifi was more than enough for what I needed as well.

I inadvertently booked a smoking room (I'm not a smoker) and on checking my original booking I believe this to be my oversight, not the hotel's. As such my room (and the floor it was on) smelled smoky. I put up with this after cheerfully being told that no non-smoking rooms were available for the days I was staying, though when I went to use the air con it also smelled quite smoky, and I left it off. However, I checked the filters and they were very dusty, so I cleaned them while I was there. The carpet was also a little dirty in some places where I thought a quick vacuum would reasonably have covered.

Route Inns are kind of drab and look like old office buildings when you enter but everything is a little better than you would expect. There's usually a big central bath in addition to the shower/tub in the room. The rooms are spacious for a business hotel. The breakfast buffet was tasty. The location is close to the station. There's a nice open stairwell if you don't feel like taking the elevator. The pajamas are two piece, top and bottom, so you can wear them to the bath or to breakfast.

I mentioned it looks a little like an office building. They don't seem to spend a lot of money on the lobbies. There are often two wings and two elevators, but the elevators are back-to-back and the wings are connected so it's hard to know which one to take. The lighting in the room is stark. And the heat blasts in the evening because it's November even though it's in the 70's (22C +) during the day. I have a hard time sleeping unless it's a little cooler and this did not help.

Location was excellent! We highly recommend the Mexican restaurant La Catrina, since you can take a bus nearby. Parking was plentiful and we didn't struggle to park our rental after coming in on the ferry from Nagasaki. Staff was lovely and friendly! Overall, very good. I booked this place both times I was in Kumamoto.

The bathroom was very small and the water pressure non-existent. Pillows were not the most comfortable either Breakfast was also pretty disappointing

Close to Kumamoto Station. Tram for downtown & castle outside Station, pay when get off, cash or IC card was crowded on weekend. Breakfast was nice & plentiful. Staff were all lovely.

Thought expensive, rooms dated but clean.

The breakfast buffet had a good selection to start your day. The room is dated as other have said, but I'm only there to sleep so didn't bother me. Had everything you need to rest. Very close and walkable to the station.

great room, plenty of space, easy to get around. parking was super convenient. breakfast was awesome.

little bit out of the way from the center of downtown.

The price

The room is too small.

Great location near railway station, very clean and comfortable, great value for money

Checkout time is a bit early at 10am

This Route-Inn is located close to the train station. Our room was good, the furo was nice, and the breakfast was good. If we were to go to Kumamoto again, I would stay there.

Good breakfast Very convenient for Kumamoto Station Comfortable room, with good range of facilities

Room was rather small