Hotel Hankyu International exudes old-school elegance, and is renowned for its exceptional service and mesmerizing views of Osaka.
What’s the hotel like?
Grand in both its interior and exterior, this 5-star hotel is considered one of Osaka’s most luxurious. Its rooms, inspired by the mansions of old Europe, offer a splash of opulence, together with great views of the city. Prioritizing warm, high-quality service, the staff will make sure you feel looked after the moment you step into the hotel reception.
What facilities does the hotel have?
Notable facilities include a fitness club (with a pool), lounge, seven restaurants, a bar, tea lounge, and a chapel for weddings. Other extra services include private massages, room service, laundry service, and delivery of the morning newspaper. All of these facilities require an additional charge.
Is there anywhere to hang out in the hotel?
There is no designated hangout spot for those staying on the Regular floors. That said, there are some comfortable sofas near to the reception desk, where you can relax.
The ultimate, and most exclusive, spot in this hotel is the Club Lounge. Located on the 25th floor, it is only accessible to those staying on the Club floors. They offer complimentary light meals and desserts during the day, and alcoholic drinks and appetizers at night. Note that children under 12 years old are not allowed to use the lounge after 7 p.m.
What are the rooms like?
Hotel Hankyu International offers a variety of rooms. They are categorized into different floors: Club, Luxury, and Regular.
The Club Floors are the most premium, offering the best night views as they are located on the 33rd and 34th floors. Given that they also provide the best complimentary services, prices range from ¥121,300 to ¥847,300 a night. Some of the exclusive Club features include a free in-room minibar, Guerlain bath amenities, complimentary room service, free parking, and use of the fitness club.
The most affordable rooms are on the Regular floors, which are on the 26th to the 30th. These start at around ¥25,000. For something slightly more premium, you could upgrade to a room on the Luxury Floor, on the 31st and 32nd floors, which are bigger.
How big are the rooms?
On this particular visit, we stayed in a Moderate Double Room. This room is relatively spacious, being 26.7m2. Key features include a double bed, a private bathroom, flat screen TV, and a large desk.
Are the rooms comfortable?
The room was very comfortable, with the high-quality double bed ensuring a restful night’s sleep. Another standout feature is the bathroom, which is not only expansive, but is equipped with free bottled toiletries for a bit of pampering. You can also enjoy a morning tea or coffee, as there is a kettle in the room.
The room definitely feels a little dated, in its interior, but that’s part of the old-school classic charm, in our opinion. Although the double room accomodates two guests, it is also, admittedly, more comfortable for one.
What’s the view like?
The view is the standout feature of the room. Beautiful both day and night, the window offers a bird’s-eye view of Osaka and the roads leading into the city. Notably, you can enjoy the view from the comfort of your bed and wake up to it.
Should I order the breakfast?
Breakfast is included with certain room types. If it’s not included in your room price, there is an additional charge of ¥4,000. For a Western and Japanese-inspired breakfast, you will want go to restaurant Malmaison. If you are feeling a traditional Japanese breakfast, then go to Minokichi Takeshigero. Both are on the 25th floor and are open from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
For those wanting to spend less on breakfast, we recommend walking around Umeda, as it is full of independent cafés and delicious-looking breakfast spots.
How is the location?
How is the access to trains and subway?
The closest station to Hotel Hankyu International is:
- Nakatsu Station (7-minute walk): This metro station serves the Midōsuji Line, which is one of the most convenient lines, taking you to destinations like Umeda, Namba, and Shin-Osaka. When using this station, make sure to exit through Exit 4.
How do I get there from Kansai International Airport?
- From Kansai International Airport: The fastest way to get from the airport is to take the Nankai-Kuko Line Airport Express (bound for Nankai-Namba) to Nankai-Namba Station. From Nankai-Namba, take the Midosuji Line (for Minoh-kayano) to Nakatsu Station. The whole journey takes just over a hour and costs ¥1,210.
For more transport options, check out Getting from Kansai International Airport to Osaka.
What’s the surrounding neighborhood like?
The immediate surrounding neighborhood feels more like a business district, making it quieter at night. However, just a few minutes’ walk away, you’ll find yourself in the thriving (and noisier) Umeda area. As Osaka’s main commerical hub, it is an ideal spot for shopping and entertainment. Here, you’ll find attractions like Osaka Grand Green, Umeda Sky Building, and Hep Five Ferris Wheel.
Are there many good places to eat nearby?
Just like with breakfast, you’ll definitely find something to eat nearby. In Umeda, you will find restaurants serving local specialities like okonomiyaki and kushikatsu, as well as Western-style places. On top of this, less than a 5-minute walk from the hotel is the famous Hankyu Kappa Yokocho — a narrow alleyway filled with izakayas, bars and more.
The hotel itself has seven top-tier restaurants, located on the 2nd and 25th floors. Each restaurant offers a different cuisine, including French, Japanese, Chinese, and Italian, as well as specialties like teppanyaki and sushi. Additionally, there is a buffet restaurant, a tea lounge, and bar.
What points of interest are within walking distance of the hotel?
There aren’t many points of interest directly around the hotel, but you can reach some of Osaka’s top attractions in under a 20-minute walk.
- Hep Five Shopping Mall (7-minute walk)
- Hep Five Ferris Wheel (10-minute walk)
- Umeda Sky Building (16-minute walk)
- Koji Kinutani Tenku Art Museum (17-minute walk)
Who should stay here?
Those who are seeking a bit of luxury — and are willing to pay for it. Despite boasting some incredible facilities, many come with an additional charge. The hotel only truly feels like a 5-star experience for those who can indulge in these little luxuries, or a Club Floor room. That said, the standard service for every guest is exceptional.
If you’re looking for more accessible facilities, such as a public bath or lounge space, you might want to consider other options. However, if your priority is comfort and a room with a stunning view, then we highly recommend this hotel. It makes for a special one-night retreat.
What sustainability measures do they have?
The Hankyu-Hanshin-Daiichi Hotel Group says that it is committed to sustainability, following the official Sustainable Development Goals. Its effort include reducing CO₂ emissions, minimizing plastic use, and replacing disposable slippers with permanent ones. There are also measures in place to save water by reusing linens and to reduce food waste.
Tips and tricks for the best stay
A free service that you may find useful is the ability to leave your luggage on check-in and check-out days. There is also a foreign currency machine on the 2nd floor.
It is worth keeping in mind that there is no shop or vending machine inside the hotel. We would recommend grabbing any extra drinks or snacks beforehand.