LiVEMAX Sakishima Cosmo Tower Hotel

The breakfast was a highlight for me. There was a wide choice, from udon, fried food, Japanese sides, bread, sweets, fruit and cereal to rice dishes you could customize as seafood bowls, katsu curry, ochazuke, natto or beef bowls. The French toast was made fresh and tasted great, and the restaurant view was lovely too. I was glad I booked breakfast. It was also easy to find dinner nearby. I stayed in a Designer Corner Twin Room on the 12th floor for an event at Intex Osaka. The room was roomy, with large windows, a glass-enclosed bathroom and a big comfortable sofa. The shower had both a handheld and overhead hose, and it was nice having separate sink, bath and toilet areas. The sunrise and sea looked beautiful in the morning. I wonder if another-facing room might have had a better night view. The building had plenty of elevators and they came quickly. A covered walkway made it just a few minutes to the Trade Center and Intex Osaka. Service was kind and polite, and I had a pleasant stay, though there was a small communication issue with the hotel, so I took off a star for service. The carpet had a lot of stains, probably left from the previous hotel. The room had been cleaned well, and the marks might pass as part of the pattern, lol. Maybe I just got that particular room. The TV doesn’t support YouTube and similar services, the hairdryer airflow is weak, and amenities are minimal.

The standout was the view, with a wide panorama of Osaka Bay and a lovely night scene from the high floor. All rooms are over 35 square meters and have great views, and mine felt open, clean and comfortable. The hotel itself is new. I booked at the last minute through a plan like Trivago’s and paid about 7,000 yen for two people without meals, which felt like an exceptionally low price for what we got. The one downside was a slightly musty smell whenever the room’s air conditioner was running. If that gets fixed, I think this would be a very satisfying, affordable option for the views.

The Japanese-style room made for a relaxing space, and the view when I walked in was even prettier than I’d expected. The bed and bathroom were very clean, and there were plenty of amenities. I’ve found dirty kettles at other hotels, but this one was surprisingly clean. I’d happily stay here again.

The corner twin room is the one I’d pick. It’s spacious for this price and has a view bath, so soaking while watching the night view or sunrise feels special. The whole place has a bubble-era feel. It’s stayed almost the same since it was the Sakishima Cosmo Tower Hotel, apart from a Livmax sticker and microwaves added to the rooms. Breakfast is worth considering for the wide selection. At this resort-style hotel you can even make an all-you-can-eat bowl with salmon roe and sashimi. The flavor is reasonable for the price, though. If you don’t like the breakfast here, the neighboring Quintessa Hotel Osaka Bay has a high-standard breakfast and is worth trying. The location isn’t ideal, but the connecting corridor to the ATC leads to quite a few convenience stores and restaurants. Getting here can be a little confusing since the hotel seems to cater to tour bus groups. Direct buses run to Cosmo Tower from Sakai and Kaiyukan, and a taxi from Cosmo Square is an easy option. Walking from Trade Center Station or elsewhere means going through dim corridors that can make you wonder if you’re headed the right way, so first-time visitors may have trouble finding it.