Hotel Chuo Crown

The staff were courteous and helpful. This place is a gem, just a stone’s throw from JR and subway stations and Donki. There’s a Family Mart attached to the hotel, and you use your room card to get through the hotel door.

A basic place that works well for a night or two, with a convenience store connected to it. It’s near a station and just a few short blocks from the Shinsekai arcades and Tennoji zoo area.

I wasn’t sure what to expect on my first stay here, but it all worked out well. This is my second time in Osaka, and the hotel’s location is excellent: walking distance to Dobutsuenmae subway station, Shin Imamiya Jr Line, and Nankai Line to Kix Airport. Mega Donki, Maruhan, and Munashi are only a few steps away. On the ground floor, free coffee and tea are available from 06:00-12:00. There’s hot water, a microwave, and laundry available 24/7. If you buy something at FamilyMart, ask for a stamped receipt and take it to reception for 10% cashback. I used that money to buy laundry soap from them. The rooms aren’t soundproof, but surprisingly the train noise didn’t bother me. Reception has free toiletries to take as needed, including toothbrushes, hair clips, earplugs, razors, combs, cotton buds, and hair ties. The pillow was small and thin, so I asked reception for another one. I wear linen clothes, so I also borrowed an iron and ironing board.

The room was clean and the location worked well, but I barely slept. The bathroom smelled awful, strongly of chemicals like a hair salon mixed with poo. I think a previous guest may have caused it, so the hotel may only be partly responsible, but it was still terrible. The train station right outside also made it extremely noisy, and the duvet didn't cover my feet properly because I'm tall. The bed wasn't comfortable either.