Toyoko Inn Osaka Namba — Hotel in Osaka

We picked this hotel because of it's vicinity to Dontonbori and the subway line as well as it's budget-friendly price. Overall we had a good stay with only a few minor issues.|Check-in/check-out is automated, but staff are there to assist you and are very friendly. The reception area is large and immaculately clean with plenty of space to sit and access the wi-fi while you are waiting. On the same floor there are vending machines (mostly drinks) as well as the laundry space and public bathrooms which are across from the elevators. We did end up using the laundry during our, it is approx. 300 JPY to wash and 100 JPY for about 20 mins drying (I think). Staff can help you exchange your cash for the appropriate coinage (100 coin). Extra toiletries such as toothbrushes, combs, and q-tips are available for free next to the counter. The space is quite busy with many people coming and going and we found the elevators to be insufficient in term of space and volume given the size of the hotel (it is much larger than it's street-facing facade. Our first minor issue was with the unusually late 4pm check-in time which we knew of when booking the hotel, but we did not expect the 1000 JPY per early check-in hour and after a 30 hour journey from South Korea via taxi, train, and ferry plus enduring 30 C weather (we're Canadian) we were pretty exhausted and a bit miffed. We ended up bargaining our time by grabbing a late lunch and checking out a few sites and then purchasing an extra check-in hour. The hotel does offer a large locker space for your belongings so we were able to store them there at no cost.|We booked a double twin room and it was expectedly small, but almost a bit too small. There was very limited space to keep both suitcases open and accessible, but with a bit of room rearranging we managed to get both of them on the desk. The beds were very firm and the pillow was pretty flat but we managed to get some good sleeps and I liked how the beds are compact and rollable incase they need to be moved slightly. The bathroom is very small because it is a Japanese unit bath which I was very excited to see for the first time in my life. They are small but functional and with a bit of rearranging we could fit our toiletries on the small shelf. Room cleaning is every 3 days or so but you can opt out or request additional cleaning when you check-in. Staff deliver new towels in a plastic bag everyday to your room which is handy for transporting laundry but we eventually became a bit overwhelmed by the towel situation. There is a small fridge and a few hooks and hangers, but here is no closet. The overhead light is dimmable and there are bendable reading lamps beside the beds. The lighting and air-conditioning are adjustable via remote controls.|The breakfast buffet is the biggest perk of this hotel. On the lower level there is a large cafeteria-like space where the cooks lay out a decent sized buffet that has a few switch-ups from day to day. There is a mix of both Western and Japanese items and 2 cappuccino machines along side tea and coffee pots. I typically opted for the scrambled eggs, chocolate filled bread rolls, rice cakes, sausages, and the occasional soup. I enjoyed the morning greeting the cooking staff would give at the start of the morning. I will however complain about the one Caucasian staff member who, unprompted, singled me out in line to tell me that the rice cakes have fish ingredients in them and that the plain rice was over in the rice pot. Having my palate judged by my appearance kind of irks me. If it's important, put a sign out for everyone, don't assume where I come from. Other than that, the kitchen and buffet gets an A+.|If you are looking for a budget-friendly hotel for a 1-3 night stay this place works well but I wouldn't recommend it for any longer than that. We stayed 5 nights and although we would rate our stay as decent, we were feeling a bit...

We picked this hotel because of it's vicinity to Dontonbori and the subway line as well as it's budget-friendly price. Overall we had a good stay with only a few minor issues.|Check-in/check-out is automated, but staff are there to assist you and are very friendly. The reception area is large and immaculately clean with plenty of space to sit and access the wi-fi while you are waiting. On the same floor there are vending machines (mostly drinks) as well as the laundry space and public bathrooms which are across from the elevators. We did end up using the laundry during our, it is approx. 300 JPY to wash and 100 JPY for about 20 mins drying (I think). Staff can help you exchange your cash for the appropriate coinage (100 coin). Extra toiletries such as toothbrushes, combs, and q-tips are available for free next to the counter. The space is quite busy with many people coming and going and we found the elevators to be insufficient in term of space and volume given the size of the hotel (it is much larger than it's street-facing facade. Our first minor issue was with the unusually late 4pm check-in time which we knew of when booking the hotel, but we did not expect the 1000 JPY per early check-in hour and after a 30 hour journey from South Korea via taxi, train, and ferry plus enduring 30 C weather (we're Canadian) we were pretty exhausted and a bit miffed. We ended up bargaining our time by grabbing a late lunch and checking out a few sites and then purchasing an extra check-in hour. The hotel does offer a large locker space for your belongings so we were able to store them there at no cost.|We booked a double twin room and it was expectedly small, but almost a bit too small. There was very limited space to keep both suitcases open and accessible, but with a bit of room rearranging we managed to get both of them on the desk. The beds were very firm and the pillow was pretty flat but we managed to get some good sleeps and I liked how the beds are compact and rollable incase they need to be moved slightly. The bathroom is very small because it is a Japanese unit bath which I was very excited to see for the first time in my life. They are small but functional and with a bit of rearranging we could fit our toiletries on the small shelf. Room cleaning is every 3 days or so but you can opt out or request additional cleaning when you check-in. Staff deliver new towels in a plastic bag everyday to your room which is handy for transporting laundry but we eventually became a bit overwhelmed by the towel situation. There is a small fridge and a few hooks and hangers, but here is no closet. The overhead light is dimmable and there are bendable reading lamps beside the beds. The lighting and air-conditioning are adjustable via remote controls.|The breakfast buffet is the biggest perk of this hotel. On the lower level there is a large cafeteria-like space where the cooks lay out a decent sized buffet that has a few switch-ups from day to day. There is a mix of both Western and Japanese items and 2 cappuccino machines along side tea and coffee pots. I typically opted for the scrambled eggs, chocolate filled bread rolls, rice cakes, sausages, and the occasional soup. I enjoyed the morning greeting the cooking staff would give at the start of the morning. I will however complain about the one Caucasian staff member who, unprompted, singled me out in line to tell me that the rice cakes have fish ingredients in them and that the plain rice was over in the rice pot. Having my palate judged by my appearance kind of irks me. If it's important, put a sign out for everyone, don't assume where I come from. Other than that, the kitchen and buffet gets an A+.|If you are looking for a budget-friendly hotel for a 1-3 night stay this place works well but I wouldn't recommend it for any longer than that. We stayed 5 nights and although we would rate our stay as decent, we were feeling a bit...

I purchased a room at this hotel online for 1 person without realizing - honest mistake as usually whem booking online it defaults to 2 adults so my mistake.

However when I got to the hotel and tried to check in with 2, they wanted to do an upcharge (despite me showing them the same room for 2 people showed a similar price online). Fine my mistake - I had already paid online so I couldn't cancel and rebook.

This guy named Kushima checked us in. HE WAS THE WORST!

At first he showed us the difference in the price of the room and charged us an additional 4100 yen for the night. I was annoyed but paid it. He claimed the room I had gotten was for one person and too small for 2 so he had to put us in a bigger room. This was strange since I was asked online if I wanted 2 beds or one large bed in the room.

We took our items upstairs. Walked into the room and smelled smoke. I had originally booked a non smoking room but the new room was not this. Before we could make any decisions, he called the room to say we owed another 800 yen - he made a mistake. Huh?

I made my way downstairs to ask why. He said because he made a mistake. I told him I refused to pay anymore for a smokey room. He said he had to come upstairs to see. What?

He made his way up the elevators with me to the room to "smell" it. He then said ok we will have to refund you for another room as this is the smoking floor and we will have to put you in a smaller non smoking room. Fine. Gathered our stuff and went back to lobby.

At lobby, he gives me back 4000 yen cash (not sure where the 100 yen has now vanished to since we paid 4100). Note that suddenly the original room that supposedly wasn't big enough for 2 people now suddenly worked because of capacity.

I asked to speak to a manager, he told me the manage did not speak English. He went to the back and came back out and said I had to pay 2900 yen now because he made a mistake AGAIN. WHERE ARE YOU COMING UP WITH THESE NUMBERS SIR? At this point, my room should be free. I am asking for an explanation and he has none - just mumbling that it's the new difference.

I told him I was going to write a review on this and put his name online - KUSHIMA! He is now rolling his eyes. As soon as I gave him the 2900 yen he is now blatantly rude and says to me he didn't care if i wrote a review with his name as it wouldn't do anything to him. ALL OF A SUDDEN THIS MAN WAS OPENLY RUDE TO ME. I said to him so you can talk to me any way you want because now you have the money again? He said he didn't care. I could not believe my experience. This was THE WORST. Especially for a supposed business hotel.

I will never recommend this place - KUSHIMA- THE WORST EXPERIENCE. He made so many mistakes with money. Kept asking for more. Nope absolutely not. Stay away. I did not get the...