Hotel Toyo — Hotel in Osaka

BED BUGS, LEAVE !!!! My memories from Toyo Hotel that I am now carrying on with my travel. Of course bed bugs are a threat for both the owner and the traveller and it is hard to get rid of these kind of parasites and to never encounter such in months of travelling in hostels most of the time. What is a shame though, it's that this hotel keeps it silent because we discovered they had known the problem for months but "pschhhhhhht, we shouldn't talk about this". For me it is not okay to say "Pschttttttt", people deserve to know and then it's their choice whether they go or not. I want to highlight not only the fact that they try to put the problem under the rug but also that they did not take any initiative to take care of the damages caused. The "part time staff" as they call themselves to reduce any responsibility did not take any move to participate and pay for the disinfection of my bag and clothes. They first wanted to check my bites (for what, I don't know, I doubt they are medical doctors, but here is the thing, I am and don't need any confirmation). Here are thus the pictures eventually that they wanted to see. They were apparently "sorry, sorry" but besides that did nothing, called a boss who never answered and told they cannot do anything without his agreement, whereas he would never answer of course. They told me to leave and email the boss directly (of course it would be easier if they had given me his personal address, which they dont have, so if I write I will refer to them again, vicious circle unuseful). The conclusion is that the boss is making money from people being bitten by bed bugs but vanishes and ghosts the phone when it comes to finding solutions. I am sincerely not an aggressive person and really was calm in front of this part time staff but after 1 hour of endless unuseful talk and sorries I had to leave with my bites, my infected bags and stuffs with nothing. I have to say I find this really unfair and hope people won't have to live the same...

So I’m a very reasonable budget traveller with fairly low expectations. And I really wanted to love this place because the inside with all the colours, pop-art, spray-painted graffiti are all really fun and unique. I stayed in May 2023.

The rate I got for this hotel was insanely low and I knew there had to be a catch.

Staff at front desk are kind and welcoming. Cold and hot water available for guests from a dispenser. Showers are clean with even conditioner provided. Some of the vanity area on some floors looked new.

BUT this entire building is EXTREMELY old - try to find a recent picture of it from the outside and you’ll see. Nothing the staff or owner can do about this, it is just a fact.

A budget tiny room was expected due to the price. Sleeping mat with sheet provided as well as yellow-ish pillowcase with small pillow. However, AS SOON as you enter the room a terrible smell hits you. It’s not just a musty old smell, which I can handle, but it also has a rotten egg component. The smell seeps into your clothes and belongings. I had to have a clean sock in my nose when spending time in the room. To me, this alone made it not worth the price. And I feel bad because there is nothing the nice staff can do about it - I just think this building is reaching the end of its lifetime. I can’t confirm all rooms have this, and can say I didn’t really smell it anywhere else in the building.

Also, I don’t see anyone else on here mention it in their reviews which I think is odd. So perhaps I am just more sensitive - but I usually am not? I am just surprised because it seems like such a glaring issue. Unless it was actually...

Normally, I would never even consider staying at this hotel, or someplace like it. I stay at much nicer places that cost much more. But I was traveling with a friend on a very limited budget, and wanted to stay in the same place with her so I made a compromise. I will not do that again.

Shortly after leaving this hotel I became very sick with an aggressive sinus infection which especially infected my eyes. My traveling partner gained a serious eye infection. We both believe this disgusting hotel is to blame. See the photos.

This hotel managed to have exceptional staff and customer service as well as being the most filthy hotel I have ever seen. My room smelled like a stale ashtray. Totally revolting. And they gave me a pillow that made me want to puke it was so gross. I lost my cool on the staff and they handled me with grace and professionalism. Your room will not offer a towel, trash can, mirror or any amenities except a cushion on the floor bedding and an old small tv that I didn’t even try to use. I had a room with air conditioning. Try staying next door at Hotel Raizan. They have a nicer place with better amenities. But some of their rooms are gross too so ask to see the room before you check in. Here is the pillow that made me hate this revolting hotel. Unbelievable. You can’t smell a Review but the smell was sincerely hideous. However I appreciate how great the staff was. They should all work somewhere much nicer. I gave 1 star nonetheless because if...