Sotetsu Fresa Inn Osaka-Shinsaibashi — Hotel in Osaka

Another hotel with the impersonal machine check-in. We actually found it hard work doing all the checkin requirements by yourself, having to fill in all the details, scan passports, etc. This one spewed out loads of paper - turns out they were all the vouchers for breakfast amongst the receipts and key cards. Turned out that there was only one voucher for our last breakfast before checkout, so I had to go to the desk to get the extra one after all! The breakfast was very Asian, so did not really suit our palates. It included things like fried chicken, meat balls in gravy, rice, spaghetti, boiled veg, etc. The breakfast time is early, finishes at 09:30; we do not know why, when we are on holiday, that we are forced to set an alarm to get up so early for breakfast. The mini croissants were very soft - it took me the final breakfast to realize to put them in the toaster for 2.5 minutes which crisped them up into delicious croissants as they should be. Incredibly, every day the fruit was frozen solid and thus inedible. In order to thaw it out so that we could eat it, we filled our bowls with hot water. If we had not unfortunately pre-paid for the breakfast, we certainly would have made our own arrangements.|The only available tea bags were either green tea or Lipton Yellow Label. We don’t like the latter, it is far too strong. We like green tea - but not for breakfast. I tried the coffee, but it is bitter and unpleasant. |The room was extremely small, and very uncomfortable. We could only open one of our suitcases at a time. We had to keep moving the suitcase, close to the room door so that we could open the bathroom door, then back in front of the bathroom door so that we could open the room door in order to leave. |Very little space in the bathroom for our personal items. We had room for our toothbrushes, my shaving kit, but not much else.|The air conditioner, high above the bed, was not very efficient. There was, fortunately, a floor cooler (which had a water tank that we had to fill) which helped to cool the room.|The bed, while being reasonably comfortable, was far too hot. The duvet seemed to be thick. We did not sleep well during our stay here.|Even though there are lots of tourists, there were no English language programmes on the television. All channels are in Japanese, so we had no idea what was being said.|One item on TV which was of use, was an ability to monitor availability of the washing machines.|Strangely, this room had no ‘Do not disturb’ sign - only one asking staff not to enter the room, but to supply towels. Even though we did not need or want fresh towels every day, we got them every day because of the only sign available to stop them making up the room. Interestingly, you are only allowed to use this sign twice; on the third day they will enter your room in order to make it up, whether you want them to or not.|We will certainly not be using this hotel again. We wish we had checked the room size online...

Another hotel with the impersonal machine check-in. We actually found it hard work doing all the checkin requirements by yourself, having to fill in all the details, scan passports, etc. This one spewed out loads of paper - turns out they were all the vouchers for breakfast amongst the receipts and key cards. Turned out that there was only one voucher for our last breakfast before checkout, so I had to go to the desk to get the extra one after all! The breakfast was very Asian, so did not really suit our palates. It included things like fried chicken, meat balls in gravy, rice, spaghetti, boiled veg, etc. The breakfast time is early, finishes at 09:30; we do not know why, when we are on holiday, that we are forced to set an alarm to get up so early for breakfast. The mini croissants were very soft - it took me the final breakfast to realize to put them in the toaster for 2.5 minutes which crisped them up into delicious croissants as they should be. Incredibly, every day the fruit was frozen solid and thus inedible. In order to thaw it out so that we could eat it, we filled our bowls with hot water. If we had not unfortunately pre-paid for the breakfast, we certainly would have made our own arrangements.|The only available tea bags were either green tea or Lipton Yellow Label. We don’t like the latter, it is far too strong. We like green tea - but not for breakfast. I tried the coffee, but it is bitter and unpleasant. |The room was extremely small, and very uncomfortable. We could only open one of our suitcases at a time. We had to keep moving the suitcase, close to the room door so that we could open the bathroom door, then back in front of the bathroom door so that we could open the room door in order to leave. |Very little space in the bathroom for our personal items. We had room for our toothbrushes, my shaving kit, but not much else.|The air conditioner, high above the bed, was not very efficient. There was, fortunately, a floor cooler (which had a water tank that we had to fill) which helped to cool the room.|The bed, while being reasonably comfortable, was far too hot. The duvet seemed to be thick. We did not sleep well during our stay here.|Even though there are lots of tourists, there were no English language programmes on the television. All channels are in Japanese, so we had no idea what was being said.|One item on TV which was of use, was an ability to monitor availability of the washing machines.|Strangely, this room had no ‘Do not disturb’ sign - only one asking staff not to enter the room, but to supply towels. Even though we did not need or want fresh towels every day, we got them every day because of the only sign available to stop them making up the room. Interestingly, you are only allowed to use this sign twice; on the third day they will enter your room in order to make it up, whether you want them to or not.|We will certainly not be using this hotel again. We wish we had checked the room size online...

Everything was great. Love the environment the amenities provided except the check in experience.

We were taken aback with the policy that was not or declared on the website or other booking platform with regards to the child / adult age. I am a family of 4 travelling with another family of four. We have each 2 children. Mine 9 years old and 18 month infant. My sister, has also a 9 years old and a 5 years old. Knowing we both have 9 years old, we were pushed to pay for an extra room for 4 nights.

The hotel policy (verbally mentioned only at the desk by the receptionist) that any child above 5 years old is considered an adult. And maximum is 2 adults in the room. So our two 9 years old would need to pay a room. We mentioned, we willing to pay extra charges per head and not per room. We informed the desk even though we are two families, we wish to check in SEPARATELY.

But the receptionist said we cannot do that. We spent around 68,000Yen for a room for 4 nights that no one stayed. And the third room is very FAR apart from our room level 6 while we are at level 3. After more than an hour, we finally checked in.

In addition, when I asked the receptionist for WRITTEN statement policy about the “above 5 years old is considered adult…” they were not able to produce them. It is not stated in the HOTEL WEBSITE even or anywhere in the lobby.

It is unprofessional for the hotel to declare a policy without making it an official statement anywhere in the website or booking platform. It upsets your guests who travelled far to be ask to pay upfront for extra room just for their “adults” who is anyone above 5 years old.

If I am to be travelling alone, with my 2 kids, is my 9yr old son required to stay in a separate room? Are they no flexibility in the hotel policy… when it comes to family with kids.

Moving forward. I believe that this policy should be stated in the hotel website. We will gladly book another room beforehand if we were to know about...