Hotel Hankyu International

Whenever I go to Osaka on business, I can't resist staying a night at Hankyu. With the izakaya right across the street and countless shops within walking distance, it's just so convenient!

This is an older hotel, and some of its facilities are a bit dated now. One of the elevators is being upgraded, so you have to wait a while every time you go up or down. The hotel's design is also a bit old-fashioned, but the location is superb. You're right at Hankyu Sanbangai when you step out, making dining and shopping very convenient. The room size is average, and the internet is decent. However, true to its reputation as an established hotel, the service is excellent, and the toiletries and cosmetics provided are also quite good.

Centrally located in Osaka, the room was quite spacious and offered excellent value for money. Disposable slippers weren't provided for free, which might be a new policy? I really loved this hotel and would definitely choose to stay here again when I visit Osaka in the future.

I've stayed at many hotels in Osaka, including the Ritz Carlton, Westin, Intercontinental, and the Tennoji Marriott and Imperial multiple times, but I rarely leave reviews. This time, I chose the Hotel Hankyu International. First, let's talk about the location – it's incredibly convenient, close to Umeda and the airport limousine bus stop. The room was spacious enough, and the bathroom was also quite large, although the shower stall seemed like a later addition and felt a bit cramped. On the second day, I received a note saying they found a problem with my room door and needed me to switch rooms. I had actually noticed this when I first checked in – the door required two attempts to lock – but I didn't think much of it. However, since they requested it, I agreed to move. I specifically went to the front desk and informed them that we were staying for five nights, had a lot of luggage, and many items were spread out and needed to be organized. The front desk assured me it was no problem and that someone would come to help with the move. After I finished organizing, I called the front desk, and an employee came up, but surprisingly, he came empty-handed, without even a luggage cart. So, he pushed one suitcase, and the three of us pushed other suitcases and carried various miscellaneous items as we made our way to the new room. Once everything was settled, I went to sit on the sofa by the window and found a snack bag on the floor, presumably left by the previous guest. Typically, with good hotels, when a room change occurs – whether initiated by the guest due to dissatisfaction or by the hotel due to faulty facilities – the hotel usually does a thorough check to ensure the new room won't have the same problems. Secondly, if the inconvenience is caused by the hotel, they usually offer some small compensation to the guest, like a room upgrade. Furthermore, they will always ask if the guest has a lot of luggage, and if so, they will definitely bring a large luggage cart that can not only hold suitcases but also hang clothes guests don't want to pack. This hotel failed on all these points. As a former hotel professional, I can empathize with hotels, so I usually don't complain or make many demands. Next time, I might still stay here because the access is genuinely convenient, and it connects to Sanbangai, where there's a Kitty Land that I absolutely adore.

I chose Hankyu again this time, even though it's a bit far from the station, because I was so impressed by their warm and thoughtful service on my last visit. I booked the same room as before, and the view was absolutely stunning. The bathroom was incredibly spacious and comfortable, and the amenities were so good that I even took some with me. The cleanliness was, as expected, impeccable, with the room tidied thoroughly every day. Regarding service, they still offered the same excellent experience of escorting guests to their rooms and explaining the features. The check-in process and concierge service were also top-notch. However, there were two small disappointments this time. First, one morning before we left, we requested two bottles of water. But when we returned in the evening, we found that the usual spot for bottled water hadn't been refilled with new ones. I'm not sure if it was an oversight or if they assumed that since we'd already received water that day, they wouldn't provide more. Secondly, on my previous stay, a staff member would help push our luggage to the car and hand it over to the driver when we checked out. This time, they only asked if we had a car and then left us to it, which momentarily made me feel like I was back at the Imperial Hotel (a jab at what the reviewer perceives as less attentive service there). All in all, I was a little disappointed compared to my last visit, especially since the location isn't the most convenient, making service all the more crucial. Also, it was quite surprising that bath caps weren't provided as a standard amenity.

The service was excellent! Although the hotel is a bit old, it's very well-maintained.

The hotel is clean and tidy. It's conveniently located near shopping and dining options, and public transportation is easily accessible. The front desk staff are professional and welcoming, and speak Chinese. I would definitely choose this hotel again next time.