Hotel Naniwa Shinsekai-mae

The reception staff were friendly, but I wasn't keen on the room. It was small and ordinary, the shampoo felt cheap, and there was no automatic-flush toilet seat like in other hotels I've stayed at. A microwave was available on certain floors. The lift starts one floor up, so you have to carry your luggage up the stairs first. The blanket had holes along the top, and when I got out of bed my leg caught in one and I fell into the gap between the badly positioned twin beds. Thumbs down.

The room was clean and bigger than I expected, and the train station is close by. The stairs up to the lobby were a problem with all my luggage, but the Japanese staff helped me carry it. Everyone was nice and willing to show me how things worked. Good choice.

We ended up booking another hotel nearby after the Chinese-speaking receptionist at the lobby refused to let our boys into our room, saying Japan's policy allowed only two people. She kept insisting we book another room. I felt she was rude, and there didn't seem to be a manager on duty to report it to. When I came back at 9:20 to eat the hotel's breakfast, she said it was over, though other guests were still eating. I insisted the policy said breakfast ran until 9:30. She got angry and started banging plates and utensils. Later, when she saw me in the lobby, she made a banging noise with her feet as she walked, then stopped when I looked at her. That's a very rude way to treat customers.

Helpful staff made the stay, including one who helped me find a bike rental and an umbrella despite not speaking much English. The hotel is near Ebisucho station, good places to eat, shops, and sightseeing spots. It’s away from the tourist hotspots, so the price is low, and there's a toilet in the room. I'd give it 10/10.