Imperial Hotel Osaka

This was my second stay, and I really love the hotel's style. The ambiance is elegant, and the surrounding scenery is beautiful; you can take a walk along the river. There's a coffee shop on the ground floor of the plaza, and breakfast is also good. There's a shuttle bus to Osaka Station every 20 minutes, making shopping super convenient. The service is five-star standard, as expected from a long-standing local hotel. Don't miss the hotel bakery on the ground floor. If you check the map, there's also a century-old unagi restaurant nearby, though it's a bit far. The subway station isn't too far either. Overall, a great stay! Facilities: The hotel is older but very well-maintained! Hygiene: Good, though they forgot to provide pajamas on the last day! Environment: The hotel's style is elegant, and the surrounding scenery is beautiful! Service: Five-star standard!

This established hotel maintains its high standards. While the decor might be a bit dated, the cleanliness and attention to detail are impeccable. The room's noise control, blackout curtains, and soundproofing were all excellent. The high-pressure handheld showerhead was fantastic – strong enough to massage my tired calves! 🚿 They offer a convenient shuttle bus to Osaka Station every 30 minutes, easily found at the Sakurabashi Exit. There's also a shuttle to Kansai Airport, but I didn't get a chance to use it this trip. I didn't opt for breakfast this time, but I'll definitely try it next time. I'll choose this hotel again on my next visit to Osaka.

The room was spacious and well-equipped. Although the hotel is a bit old, it's very well-maintained. Upon checking in, a staff member accompanied us all the way to our room. The window offered a view of the Osaka city skyline and a beautiful riverside scenery, perfect for a stroll, and we could watch the sunset from our room. The hotel has an annex, but the shops inside were mostly closed and rundown. There was one restaurant open during the day, with windows facing the river, offering light meals and afternoon tea. The biggest drawback was the inconvenient transportation. There's a free shuttle bus every 20 minutes from outside the Starbucks at JR Osaka Station's Sakurabashi exit, which takes about 15 minutes to reach the hotel. Walking to the nearest subway station takes about seven to eight minutes. There are very few restaurants or shopping malls near the hotel.

The Imperial Hotel Osaka boasts an excellent location near Sakuranomiya Station, offering stunning river views from its upper floors and even a glimpse of Osaka Castle in the distance. Below, the riverside greenery and small beach create a serene and lovely atmosphere. The hotel has a vintage charm, and while some facilities show their age, it didn't detract from a comfortable stay. The mattress was just right – not too soft, not too firm – and even the single beds were spacious. Room insulation was good, and the shower had strong, hot water, which was very pleasant. However, the lighting was a bit dim, making it slightly inconvenient for getting ready. This visit was specifically to experience the 'Miyake' (a term for the three most prestigious hotels in Japan) level of service, and indeed, this venerable hotel delivered polite and thoughtful service without feeling overbearing. For instance, when checking out, knowing we had plenty of time before our flight and planned to explore Umeda further, they proactively reminded us about their shuttle service to the airport if we were heading there directly. When we said we were going to Umeda, they even asked if we'd like to leave our luggage at the hotel. They also directly helped us with calling a taxi, specifying the destination, and handling our luggage. I truly loved their Japanese staff! However, it seems the hotel has hired some South Asian staff for housekeeping. I noticed some dust on the glass shelf in the bathroom and on the TV cabinet. But these are minor issues, and overall, the cleaning was quite thorough.

My overall stay was exceptionally good, with excellent service, ambiance, room type, and meals. My overall experience far exceeded expectations. Initially, I didn't have high hopes for the Imperial Hotel Osaka because the exterior photos looked a bit dated. However, my perception was completely overturned after checking in. It truly exceeded all expectations! Even if the hotel's facilities weren't brand new, they were incredibly well-maintained, comfortable to use, and exceptionally clean. Every detail was meticulously taken care of. The service was meticulous and thoughtful, providing a fantastic experience, truly the standard of an established luxury hotel. The front desk staff were gentle and accommodating. One staff member (I believe her name was Kim) was especially attentive, actively helping with luggage every time I went in and out. I stayed in a riverside room on a lower floor. The environment was very comfortable, and the price was not expensive at all (much better than many more expensive design hotels). The bedding in the room was excellent, and I slept wonderfully. The Japanese breakfast offered by the hotel was outstanding in quality, with a well-balanced and palatable selection. The dining experience was just right, without feeling overly full. (American breakfast was also available in another restaurant). The hotel's laundry service is also commendable. Washed clothes were clean and neatly pressed, and they were even carefully organized and tied with ribbons. This level of delicate and thoughtful care is not common even among many high-end hotels. The hotel possesses a restrained and dignified classic charm, with sincerity towards guests evident everywhere. I have high standards for accommodation details, but this hotel still managed to be impeccable. I would prioritize choosing this hotel again for my next trip to Osaka and am also willing to try other hotels of the same brand in different cities.

Stayed here again. Had a River View King Room and during my work breaks, I enjoyed watching the boats, kayaks, and the beach on the opposite bank of the river. The room cleaning was incredibly thorough! For breakfast, you can choose between the buffet on the second floor or the Japanese option on the top floor. There are seven restaurants and bars of varying sizes. I specifically asked about the Peking duck at the Chinese restaurant, and the duck is indeed imported from China. The French restaurant is usually hard to get a reservation for, so I decided to walk in and luckily, they had a table. The foie gras and wagyu beef were absolutely top-notch.

Environment: This is a classic, century-old hotel with a lot of character. My room had a view of Sakuranomiya Park, which I imagine would be stunning during cherry blossom season. Service: The service was very attentive. Staff were proactive in offering help and greeted guests warmly. There's also a shuttle bus service to and from Osaka Station. Facilities: The room decor is old-fashioned, and the wooden furniture has a vintage feel. Surroundings: Fujita Museum is nearby and worth a visit – it's small but beautiful.