Hotel New Otani Osaka

The rooms were spacious, and they even provided a baby crib without us asking. We paid extra for a castle view, but seeing the castle meant leaning close to the window at an angle. Set in a quiet business area next to the park, the hotel gives you great park access. Either transport station is 10-15 minutes away on foot, so it could work well if you don't mind walking. If you come from Kyobashi station, there's a sky bridge, but the station end has no elevator. The staff were kind. Some things, like ordering coffee by phone, relied on communication, which wasn't always easy in English, so be patient. The old-fashioned touches, including a free newspaper, room-service coffee, and shoe shine, felt like a time capsule. Looking back, I really liked that.

We had a great three-night stay and would definitely come back. The staff were exceptionally friendly and helpful, and the room was spotless throughout. They even took care of our plushies. Breakfast had plenty to choose from, with both Western and Japanese options, so there was something for our taste. Thanks so much!

The update changed my impression of New Otani. Ms. Yamakawa reached out after my Google review and arranged a move to a room with a much better hard product, on par with other five-star hotels. Places like the Mandarin, Ritz-Carlton, and St. Regis all have different room tiers, as frequent travel makes clear. Ms. Yamakawa and management likely saved our holiday memories, and we’re grateful for the world-class response. I’ll try the breakfast buffet this week to get a feel for the food and beverage side. We chose the hotel mainly for its proximity to Osaka Castle, and from the first room we had just a tiny glimpse of the castle at the far right. That room felt dated: the king bed was two twins pushed together with a gap, and the small old furniture left us with nowhere for ten days of clothes except our suitcases. The decor felt very ’80s, and the tiny TV seemed to suggest getting out to eat and see shows. It didn’t feel like a modern luxury hotel, and for our next Osaka trip we’d probably choose somewhere less remote, closer to shopping and food, perhaps a newer Bonvoy property. We usually stay at the W across from Harry Winston’s, and this was our first time back in Osaka since 2023. At check-in we explained that our New York to Osaka flight meant we arrived a day later than the reservation dates. The receptionist said we’d still be charged for that extra day. It was our mistake, so we accepted it, though it wasn’t a great start to a ten-day vacation. Service was good, and the valet seemed shy about taking a tip for our huge luggage. New York tipping culture is already ingrained in us.

Satsuki’s breakfast buffet was a highlight for us. We tried both the Japanese and Western options and had fun mixing them. The hotel also explained the extra charges for the gym, pool, and other amenities clearly, and we used some of them without trouble. The small language gap was manageable with Google Translate and a pen. This was my first trip abroad, so I know I may have some bias, but we really enjoyed both the building and the service. Staff treated us with more respect than we could ask for from the moment we arrived. We speak very little Japanese, just basic greetings, and wanted to show them the same courtesy they showed us. I’ve read the negative reviews, and I found them disgusting and highly inaccurate. To me, the issue is with the person writing them, not the staff or hotel. This place deserves its five stars.