The Ritz-Carlton, Osaka

Facilities: The classic quality of a long-standing luxury brand. Hygiene: Impeccable, as expected in Japan. Environment: Right above the railway station. Service: First-class service quality! Surrounded by amazing food options! An indispensable choice when in Umeda! However, it's a bit pricey and the rooms are a bit small.

This hotel, once a magnificent building, perfectly embodies the concept of 'chrysanthemum and sword' from Ruth Benedict's book, blending English elegance (chrysanthemum) with Japanese precision (sword). Its story and impact far exceed that of an ordinary hotel, reflecting the twilight glow of a bygone empire.

The room was exceptionally well-decorated. The hotel specially arranged a welcome gift for us. The overall ambiance of the hotel has an old-money vibe, very elegant and classic. The transportation is also very convenient, as it's close to Osaka's city center.

The location is extremely convenient. If you're looking for an old-school hotel vibe, you might find it here, but the facilities are really outdated – I couldn't stand them. The showerhead was in the bathtub and there was no separate shower, which was a real deal-breaker for me. I'll definitely stick to newer hotels from now on. The Japanese restaurant on the fifth floor was pretty good; I had sushi for a reasonable price, with 16k and 26k options available.

The hotel's ambiance added a wonderful surprise to this trip. We chose a corner room with lovely views from the window, and the hotel's public areas are elegantly decorated. The room itself was also quite spacious. I hope to stay here again next time.

The room was very clean and bright. The service was attentive, although a bit standardized. The breakfast was also very rich.

The room was nice. Being able to choose a smoking room was very convenient for many smokers.