Sotetsu Fresa Inn Osaka Shinsaibashi

The room was practical and had everything we needed, and you can open the window for a view or some ventilation. This has been the best hotel I've stayed at in Osaka so far, and the location is superb: near the subway, Lawson, 7-11, bars, restaurants, Dotonbori shopping, Shinsaibashi suji, Ebisu Bashi suji, the Namba covered shopping arcade, Takashimaya, and Namba Station City Mall. Level 2 has a lot of useful amenities: two microwaves, three automatic washer-dryers, two drinks vending machines including beer and nonalcoholic drinks, an ice cream machine, and a machine for free ice cubes. At lobby level, there are extras like facial lotion, cream, masks, and toiletries, plus a cafe with a paid breakfast option, a scale for people and luggage, three automatic room card dispensers and checkout return machines, a forex exchange machine, a designated smoking room, toilets, and two lifts. There's also a security card entrance at the front at night. A hotel I really like. Keep it up 👍🏻

We chose the largest room, which was a very good size, and it seems there may only be one per floor, so book it if it's available. I was glad the bathroom wasn't the usual plastic pod setup you see everywhere in Japan. The toilet is separate from the shower and tub, and the bathroom has proper doors. The front desk was very helpful. We paid extra for early check-in even though the room was ready. Coffee, tea, and assorted toiletries are available across from the desk. Breakfast is offered, though we didn't try it. The hotel is within walking distance of a station and all the attractions. It can get rowdy at night, but the noise didn't bother us.

The location was superb, very close to shinshaibashi shopping street and exit 2 of shinshaibashi station. We stayed five nights, and although check-in was at 3pm, we could leave our luggage at the hotel and start exploring. Staff were efficient enough and could communicate in English. My deluxe room was comfortable for two, though small, as expected in a Japan hotel. You can choose room service or just have towels changed when needed. I felt the room wasn't cleaned thoroughly, though. They took the rubbish and changed towels, but I could still see hair on the floor and in the toilet. I'd recommend the hotel to anyone who wants convenience and isn't looking for five-star service.

The rooms were small but well equipped, and the reception and breakfast staff were polite, friendly, and helpful. Even so, our stay was seriously affected by two frustrating problems, so I have to give the hotel one star. The key cards were extremely unreliable and kept getting demagnetized. When that happened, we couldn't even use the elevator to get to our floor, so every time we had to return to reception to reactivate a card. It happened several times and became exhausting and inconvenient. Laundry was another issue: there are only three washing machines for around 300 rooms, which made it almost impossible to do laundry during our stay. Fixing the card system and adding better access to laundry facilities would make the experience much better.