Toyoko Inn Osaka Hommachi No.1

It's in a handy spot between two metro lines, so getting around Osaka is easy. Staff were welcoming and very polite, and the rooms are cleaned every three days. Towels, toothpaste, and toothbrushes were provided daily, and they emptied the bin each day too. I was impressed by that. The room was a good size, with a comfortable bed and nice bathroom. Breakfast is good for getting started, and coffee is available around the clock. Amenities are by reception, and there's coin laundry. A great choice if you don't want to overspend.

The staff are really friendly, and the booking was so cheap that I can't complain too much. Just make sure you don't mix this one up with the other Toyoko Inn down the street: this place is older and smaller. The rooms are a consistent size compared with other hotels in the chain. Breakfast was below average, with onigiri, plain rice, and soup instead of a buffet.

The women who prepare breakfast are so kind, and the meal is free. The rooms are quaint but comfortable and have what you need, including a deep bathtub, free toiletries, slippers, and good Wi-Fi. It's a quiet, clean hotel with that classic Japanese business-traveler feel, a bit like a Japanese Holiday Inn. I'd book here again.

The breakfast lives up to what people say about it. The women serving it are friendly, and the onigiri are fresh with generous fillings. My room was meant to be non-smoking, but there was an ashtray, and the whole room and floor smelled strongly of cigarettes. I could smell smoke when other guests lit up in their rooms. If I stayed again, I'd make sure the entire floor was non-smoking. There's no view from the room.