Mercure Saga Karatsu Resort メルキュール佐賀唐津リゾート 佐賀唐津美居度假酒店

Mercure Saga Karatsu Resort is a seaside resort hotel located at 4-9-20 Higashi-Karatsu, Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture. Adjacent to Niji-no-Matsubara—one of Japan’s Three Great Pine Forests—the hotel overlooks Karatsu Bay, the Matsuura River, and Karatsu Castle from its elevated position. Surrounded by the calm natural scenery of Genkai Quasi-National Park and just about an hour’s drive from Fukuoka City, it serves as a convenient base for weekend getaways and scenic drives.

The nearest station is Higashi-Karatsu on the JR Chikuhi Line, about a three-minute drive from the hotel. A shuttle bus connects the hotel with Higashi-Karatsu and Karatsu stations for staying guests, making access easy even without a car. For those driving, the property offers parking for 125 standard cars and eight large buses. Its location allows smooth travel to the Karatsu and Yobuko areas, the Itoshima coastline, and Saga City (details on shuttles and parking are subject to change, so confirming in advance is recommended).

The nine-story property features 206 guest rooms, all offering 34 m² or more—spacious compared with typical business hotels. Room types range from Twin and Double Rooms to Japanese-style rooms, Japanese-Western rooms, Junior Suites, and Deluxe Suites, accommodating everything from couples to families and group travelers. All rooms are non-smoking and include free Wi-Fi, a TV, refrigerator, electric kettle, safety box, and bathtub-equipped bathroom, ensuring comfort even for longer stays.

The hotel offers both ocean-view and river-view rooms. Ocean-side rooms overlook Karatsu Bay and the Genkai Sea beyond Niji-no-Matsubara, while riverside rooms provide views of the Matsuura River and Karatsu Castle. Guests can enjoy sunsets reflecting on the river from the latter, creating a relaxing atmosphere. Many rooms are furnished with a sofa and table by the window, making it easy to enjoy the scenery from the comfort of the room.

The main dining venue is a buffet restaurant featuring regional ingredients such as Saga beef, seafood from Karatsu and the Genkai Sea, and local vegetables. The dinner buffet offers around 60 dishes, including roast beef, nigiri sushi, seafood specialties, hot and cold items, and desserts—allowing guests to sample a wide variety of flavors. Breakfast is also served buffet-style, with local dishes such as “Karatsu Chazuke” adding a regional touch.

The hotel’s spa area includes a large public bath, sauna, and relaxation lounge. While the baths use heated water rather than natural hot spring water, the spacious tubs and multiple washing stations provide a comfortable setting for unwinding after a day of exploring. The sauna complements the bathing experience, and guests can relax afterward in the softly lit relaxation lounge, where complimentary drinks are available. Both men’s and women’s baths operate in morning and evening sessions, accommodating various travel schedules.

A key feature of the property is its all-inclusive approach. Representative plans include buffet breakfast and dinner, alcoholic beverages during dinner, drinks and snacks in the lounge, access to the spa facilities, and selected in-house activities—all included in the room rate (premium drinks and paid experiences are available at an extra charge). Although the hotel does not serve lunch, the structure encourages guests to explore the city by day and return in the evening to enjoy the buffet, spa, and lounge services.

The lounge provides time-based drink service throughout the day, including sparkling wine, beer, wine, local sake, coffee, juice, herb water, amazake, and tea from the region. Light snacks and sweets are also available, creating a casual, welcoming space rather than a formal bar. With lounge access included for all guests, it serves as a convenient “third place” to relax outside the guest room.

Facilities include a buffet restaurant, lounge, spa with large public bath and sauna, relaxation lounge, banquet halls, meeting rooms, a gift shop, and vending machines. A seasonal outdoor pool is available some years, particularly popular among families. The hotel provides an excellent base for exploring nearby attractions such as Karatsu Castle, the Yobuko morning market, Niji-no-Matsubara, and the ruins of Nagoya Castle. Its location makes it convenient for wide-ranging trips across Saga and northern Kyushu.

Overall, Mercure Saga Karatsu Resort combines scenic views of Niji-no-Matsubara and Karatsu Bay, spacious 34 m²+ guest rooms, a spa area with sauna, a buffet showcasing local ingredients, and inclusive drink services into a relaxing coastal resort experience. It is an ideal choice for couples, families, and groups looking to enjoy both the natural beauty and historical charm of Karatsu while making full use of the hotel’s leisure facilities.