I’m a huge fan of Osaka, it’s a fashionable spot with a large range of creative hotels! From quirky boutiques to sleek and modern high-rises, here are my favorite places to stay in this incredible city…
1. Henn na Hotel
I thought this place was the future! Conveniently connected to Exit 2 of the Shinsaibashi subway station, animatronic dinosaurs check you in at reception—yes, seriously! I highly recommend getting your camera or iPhone ready for the crazy dance they do, too!
My guestroom was less crazy with a minimalist modern design, a comfortable bed, quirky patterns and organic toiletries to pamper your senses, creating an atmosphere of unique glamour.
There was no onsite restaurant, but they did offer a Japanese-style buffet breakfast with more cute gadgets, and I also loved that I was conveniently close to all the futuristic shopping malls too! There are also other versions in Tokyo and Kyoto.
My favorite highlights…
- I loved the funky anime design details in my room – especially the cute bed spreads and the wall art!
- The sushi breakfast delivered to the room each day, I thought the Mehari-zushi was especially tasty.
- Being checked in by a cool animatronic dinosaur robot, of course!
Booking details…
2. Moxy Shin Umeda
I thought was a seriously fun hotel! Located in the centre close to attractions, the design is funky and colourful, and the vibe is lively and youthful, and so is the staff!
My boutique-style room was a smart and functional living space with high-thread-count bedding and organic toiletries. I loved the motion-activated LED guidelights below the bed, the floor-to-ceiling art images, the plush lounge chairs, and the ultra-high-velocity Wi-Fi!
My other favourite highlights included the outdoor terrace, the handcrafted cocktails, the quiet Library Zone, and the 24-hour fitness centre! I would highly recommend taking advantage of their happy hour, which takes place from 4 pm to 6 pm.
My personal highlights…
- Sipping on cocktails at the funky Bar Moxy – I loved how they incorporated local Japanese flavors and ingredients.
- I loved the self-serve buffet breakfast which had a mix of traditional Japanese and Western style dishes. I especially loved the build-your-own ochazuke and customizable ingredients miso soup.
Booking details…
3. Mimaru Namba North
I think this new cool-themed hotel is perfect for families or the young at heart. It has a relaxed and fun multilingual staff and a funky design with anime/manga design details located in the centrally located Horie district,
My room was like a mini apartment, with a fully furnished kitchen, a cute dining area, and great city views. I would highly recommend booking a Pokemon room, which comes with a giant stuffed Snorlax on the bed and themed plates for you to eat off!
I also loved the matsuri-themed lobby where you can play games of ring toss or smart ball!
4. Moxy Honmachi
This is a seriously hip hotel! Located near Honmachi Station in the buzzing business district, the design is trendy, with quirky features and fun staff to match!
My modern room had hardwood floors, platform beds, a walk-in rain shower, and loads of tech-forward, including 50-inch flatscreen TVs and motion-activated LED lights (my personal favorite!).
Some rooms are compact, so I recommend upgrading if you can for a bit more space.
Other amenities include a grab-and-go deli, a sociable bar with creatively crafted cocktails, and a tasty buffet breakfast.
5. Excel Hotel Tokyu
This large design hotel was sublime! Located near the Namba Shrine, the interiors mixed traditional Japanese with a contemporary style. The vibe was trendy but not intimidating, and the staff was eager to please.
My room had playful, vibrant decor, geometric-patterned carpets, colourful pops of wall art, and high-end toiletries. I’d highly recommend booking a room on the Mido floor, as it offers wrap-around windows and a host of lavish add-ons.
I loved the tasty Asian-style buffet breakfast and my favourite spot, the top-floor restaurant, which goes from calmness in the day to a lively night scene by evening. I just sat and gazed out the large windows at the city’s neon lights! Bliss!
6. Hotel It Shinmachi
Located near Wakoji Temple, this is where sophistication meets serenity! This is a chic boutique with lashings of greenery, interesting textiles (by artist Mana Morimoto), and a chic, intimate vibe with charming staff to match!
My room was cozy and minimalist, with a Japanese functional look, comfy beds, air conditioning, and soundproofing.
I was a big fan of the trendy bar with unique purple lighting, where talented mixologists craft handcrafted cocktails! I would highly recommend trying the Butterfly Kiss Cocktail!
Other amenities included two onsite restaurants, a cute gift shop, and an Asian-style buffet breakfast. It was tough to leave this intimate, zen-like cocoon!
7. W Hotel
This hotel wowed me! Located on lively central Midōsuji Boulevard and designed by architect Tadao Ando, the interiors are ultra-modern mixed with retro details. The vibe was fun and trendy and the service was exceptional.
My funky room had a custom-designed rain shower, floor-to-ceiling windows, incredible views, and fun details, from the cartoon-like wardrobe interiors to the neon mirror lights.
I would recommend booking a room on the higher floors for the incredible views! I also loved the spa and gourmet dining experience, including a delicious buffet breakfast!
- To book, check prices or availability for W Hotel
8. The Lively Honmachi
Art, technology, and comfort are combined at this next-generation lifestyle hotel! Located in a central location close to attractions, the design is urban chic with unique graphical elements, and the atmosphere is playful and uplifting.
My guest room was modern and cleverly used. It came with a handy loaner smartphone, soundproofing, an exceptional room service menu, and a TV with streaming services. The standard rooms are compact, so I would recommend booking an upgraded room if you can.
Other stand-out amenities included a cool theatre room with a wall-sized screen, bike hire, and a fun billiards room. My favourite, though, was the sublime roof terrace, where I was truly captivated by the night view of central Osaka!
9. Zentis
This boutique is very special! Located in the heart of the downtown district of Dojimahama, it has a creative, industrial design curated by renowned designer Tara Bernerd with a relaxed vibe and attentive service.
My modern, minimalist room had polished wooden floors, large floor-to-ceiling windows with superb city views, a walk-in shower, and soundproofed walls.
I would highly recommend booking the Corner Studio King for its lush onsen-style bath! I also found an exquisite culinary experience at the refined eatery overseen by Michelin-starred chef Shinya Otsuchihashi!
10. Hotel She Osaka
This fantastic, affordable boutique hotel is located near public transport for easy access to the city centre. It offers a new lifestyle design with a retro theme with vinyl records. The vibe is laid-back, and the staff is friendly but not intrusive.
My room was colourful and cosy with mod cons and quirky design features like retro turntables. It also had a private bathroom, slippers, and complimentary toiletries.
I loved the atmospheric candlelights, the sociable shared kitchen, and eating mouth-watering pizza while chatting with other guests on the terrace.
- To book, check prices or availability for Hotel She
11. Grids Premium Hotel Namba
I knew this dark, sleek, chic hotel had to make the list! The design is trendy and alluring, with an intimate vibe and elegantly dressed staff.
My room came with trendsetting Sealy mattresses and pillows, and I highly recommend booking a premium double room on a higher floor, which has better views and more space.
I also loved the French-style buffet breakfast infused with Asian spices and would suggest trying their fresh smoothie!
The spacious lounge area and balcony offered an idyllic retreat with handcrafted drinks!
12. Conrad
This place is wow-inducing! Perched on the upper floors of Nakanoshima Festival West Tower, the city views here are incredible!
The design is dark, sleek, and contemporary, with art and design features by Matsuo Takahiro. The staff was exceptionally charming!
My spacious and chic room had floor-to-ceiling windows and a digitally controlled lighting system. I highly recommend booking a west-facing room for a distant aerial glimpse of Osaka Castle!
I could also choose from six on-site dining options on the 40th floor! My personal favourite was the 40 Sky Bar & Lounge, where afternoon tea turns into DJ soundtracks and cocktails after dark!
13. Aloft Dojima
This is a funky, urban hotel! Conveniently located near the bustling Umeda district and the Kita-shinchi entertainment district, the design is vibrant and trendy, and the staff is fun!
My guest room was sleek and modern. It had an open-concept layout, a serene lighting system, large windows with superb city views, and a spacious rainfall walk-in shower.
My favourite highlights included the hip Re:mix lounge and W XYZ Bar, which had a vibrant, sociable atmosphere and creative cocktails (I’d highly recommend trying the Aloft Club cocktail!), the Re: fuel, where I collected grab-and-go coffees, and the state-of-the-art fitness centre!
14. The Boly
Set in a renovated riverside heritage building in Kitahama (near Nakanoshima Park), I loved this boutique’s uniqueness! It has an intimate atmosphere and a trendy industrial-chic design with quirky details.
My guest room was cute with trendy modern decor, slippers, pyjamas, and soundproofing. I would highly recommend booking the riverside rooms for the views of the shimmering water below!
My other highlights included gazing at the river while dining on an Asian-style breakfast and dining at the on-site Riverside Sushi Bar TOSA, where I could choose from over 40 types of gin.
The 6th-floor salon boasted a premium snack bar, and the incredible open rooftop terrace overlooked the river!
15. Royal Classic
Located near Namba Station, this is where tradition meets modernity with a zen-like vibe with eager-to-please staff.
My room was modern and trendy, with an iPad, bright lighting, air purifiers, an onsen-style bath, and incredible views (I suggest booking a higher floor to take advantage of them).
I also loved the highly rated restaurants on site, from the 2nd-floor Yurayura restaurant inspired by the waves of roofs of Shin Kabukiza to the open-air Restaurant & Café Tsuchi, which combined casualness and luxury. Alternatively, there were plenty of restaurants nearby to explore.
