Smile Hotel Namba

We checked into Smile Hotel, Dome because it was the only place still available, and left at midnight with our bags. The room felt more like a cramped capsule, and the bathroom was so confined there was barely room to stretch. Even our suitcase seemed to have nowhere to go. After the show, we wanted to rest, but couldn't get comfortable, and being outside felt like a relief. The desk staff seemed short-tempered and too busy to help. The atmosphere was cold, and the place felt old even by Japan standards. I wouldn't stay there again. If you're coming for the Dome, book early and choose carefully.

The train station is nearby, and Dotonbori is only about two stops away by train. There's also a 7/11 close by. We really liked the atmosphere, and the room layout worked perfectly for us. One of the best hotel stays in Osaka. I'd recommend it.

The location is great, the rooms are unusually spacious for Osaka, and the free WiFi is fast and reliable. The washing facilities are handy too, though the dryer filters looked like they hadn't been cleaned in ages. The breakfast was so bland that I went elsewhere to eat, and I don't like having to leave my room key at reception when I go out. The rooms felt worn and weren't cleaned very well. One night I had to kill a cockroach, and the air vents were packed with dust. The beds were hard and small.

It's a budget option near Sakuragawa station, though the station is huge, so depending on where the train lets you off, it can be a three or four block walk. The room has no outside view because its only window is frosted glass, and even in a non-smoking room I sometimes smelled smoke. The walls are thin, the toilet is incredibly loud, and you get an old-fashioned metal key instead of a card. Fine if you're watching your spending, but there are much better hotels around.