Arrow Hotel Osaka

We stayed five days and four nights as a family of six. The buffet breakfast was a highlight, with fish, meat, salad, miso soup, fruit, bread, coffee, and juice. Staff were pleasant and helpful, and after checkout we could leave our bags in a spare room while we shopped before heading to the airport. The hotel is near the Shinsaibashi shopping area. The building is old, but it’s still a good option if the drawbacks don’t bother you. Our room was spacious enough for two large suitcases, and the bathtub was a little bigger than in newer hotels. There’s no toilet exhaust or deodorizer spray, no coin laundry, and no built-in USB port. The front desk can lend adaptor plugs and cables, though. Sleepwear is provided, but the kimono-style gown was so long that we kept stepping on it. The escalator only goes up to the front desk on the second floor. There’s an elevator on that floor, but from the upper floors you have to press 1 to reach outside, then take the stairs down, which is a hassle with large bags at checkout. Our luggage scale wasn’t working, but we were able to borrow a portable one from the hotel. Arigatou gozaimashita.

Cheap, with a perfect location, and it does the job. The rooms had a somewhat odd smell, and the staff had a hard time speaking and understanding basic English. Be aware that they charge taxes at checkout, which was an unpleasant surprise.

Mr.Kin was extremely rude. My partner and I stayed for one night, from the 3rd to the 4th of October, and had a very unpleasant interaction with him. He said he was the manager, questioned whether I had booked the room even though he was holding my ID, and spoke in a rude, quiet voice with no manners. He was judgmental, too. When my partner challenged how he had treated us, Mr.Kin said he treated everyone the same. It was an awful experience, especially as this was our first trip together. We believe there was clear discrimination and are considering legal action.

The main appeal is the location, right in the downtown nightlife area. It’s a great place to see Osaka at night without having to travel far. The staff were nice, and the free breakfast was decent. The rooms were small and a bit old, with no view, though we didn’t need one. Our room didn’t even have a trash can. Still, for the location, it worked.