Prince Smart Inn Osaka Yodoyabashi

The room was clean and comfortable, and the location is handy, right above the tube with two stops to the main tourist area. A general store next door is convenient. We didn't try the included breakfast, which is basic, so I wouldn't base the value on having breakfast included. Most of the staff were helpful, but the older woman at the front desk was officious and unhelpful. When we were leaving, she wouldn't call us a cab or even give us a taxi service number. She seemed to take pleasure in saying no.

We had a very good stay and loved the hotel. It's right by the metro, with a good-sized room, a lovely view, and nice service. The complimentary breakfast was a letdown, though: just two rice balls and miso. You can pay extra for the buffet-style option.

The hotel's location is okay, but almost everything else was a problem. Exit 12 at Yodoyabashi Station, the closest station, has no elevator. There is one at exit 13, but it's a long walk from the platform. We paid $120 per night for 3 nights for a double room that was only 14 square meters. The cleanliness was the WORST of dozens of hotels I've stayed in while traveling across Japan. I regret missing the negative reviews from other users on OTA. Everything costs EXTRA, like on a budget airline. It's also a destination for budget tour groups, so it gets noisy and crowded. Check-in was terrible. There was no MANUAL service, just staff directing you to use the self-service machine. They called this non-communicative, perfunctory service "smart." Is this a capsule hotel? The room was TERRIBEL. Wallpaper was moldy, especially near the air conditioning vent, and there was a strong musty smell that could potentially trigger lung problems for people with allergies. Furniture was grimy, flat surfaces were dusty, and the clothesline and shower curtain rod were covered in a filthy mix of mud, mold, and dirt. All the amenities looked WORNED and yellowed, like second-hand hotel items. The smart toilet seemed at least 20 years old, and its spout was completely covered in FECAL matter. Disgusting. The bathtub had deep scratches, so I refused to use it to avoid infection. Public facilities were scarce for a hotel with over ten floors: there was only one microwave and two washing machines. So "generous." The free breakfast was two limited-time rice balls. I thought they'd be better off without it. Housekeeping was poor too. You had to put the magnetic sticker on the door before 8 am to request cleaning, but they still missed my room two days in a row. The Japanese front desk staff eventually sorted that out. I suspected TWO KOREAN FEMALE EMPLOYEES AT THE FRONT DESK of racial discrimination. When I asked in English if I could communicate in Chinese, the long-haired KOREAN FEMALE EMPLOYEE said she didn't speak Chinese. I continued in English and she answered in Japanese. When I switched to Japanese, she acted like she didn't understand, and when I spoke her native Korean, she switched back to English. She probably didn't expect me to speak multiple languages. Her constant language switching to shut down communication and end the service didn't work. While talking with her, I realized she wasn't clear about her job and had to rely on others for help every time. She should be ASHAMED. When I checked in my luggage, the short-haired KOREAN FEMALE EMPLOYEE tried to force it into a storage compartment that was too small, even after I repeatedly explained it contained fragile items. She respectfully invited the Western-looking passenger behind me to use the back room for storage. This discriminatory treatment made me very uncomfortable. The other polite Japanese staff eventually resolved the issue. I've met all kinds of people from all over the world, and I'm well aware of discrimination. For this reason alone, I'll never book with this hotel group again.

The location was convenient, just a 2 minute walk from Yodoyabashi MRT station and about 30-40 minutes on foot from Dotonbori. We arrived early, and the staff kindly let us leave our bags. Towels aren't changed every day, but you can request them if you need more. A comfortable stay overall.