Mitsui Garden Hotel Osaka Yodoyabashi

After my first shower, I could see why the bathroom smelled bad, possibly of mold or mildew. The shower head only turns on in one position, and the water pressure is so strong that it hits the bath-shower wall and runs down the side of the flimsy-feeling tub. In the photo with my hand, that’s where the water lands, then it spreads everywhere, especially into the gap between the wall and tub. I guarantee mildew is growing in there. Disgusting. I’ve just checked in for a three-night stay in Osaka, and the bathroom is very odd. Its door and walls feel hollow, light, and temporary, like an airplane bathroom.

The rooms are spacious and clean, and the minimal decor is lovely. When you walk in, it smells like a spa, and the whole hotel has that luxury spa feel. The staff were super helpful and even helped ship our luggage to the airport. I absolutely loved staying here. The amenities are great, especially the onsen, which I used every night and which made the trip much more memorable. They even had a meiko meet and greet. A 10 out of 10 experience, I’d definitely recommend it.

Our honeymoon room had a lovely special arrangement waiting for us, such a thoughtful touch that made the stay memorable. The staff were kind and spoke English well, and we enjoyed the laundry room, public bath, and free activities, including calligraphy and takoyaki making. Hotel Resol is in a quieter part of Osaka, which was fine by me, though popular areas took about 20 minutes by train. Getting around was easy. We only booked two nights and wished we'd stayed longer.

The room felt cramped at around 18 square meters, and the shared bed I first booked was much too small for two people. I'd suggest getting separate beds or asking about an upgrade. A little more room would have earned this place five stars from me. The hotel itself feels luxurious and sits in Osaka's business district. Staff were friendly, breakfast was good, and the station was only 5-10 minutes away, making trips around Osaka easy.