Hotel Hanshin Annex Osaka — Restaurant in Osaka

I recently stayed at Hotel Hanshin Annexe on Nov 9 for one night, returning again on Nov 14 for another 3 nights. Like many, I delighted in the hotel finding it aesthetically well-designed with a hard-to-beat location.||||As usual, the omotenashi accorded was impeccable and this is one of the reasons for my many repeated trips to Japan. Thus, I am compelled to inform the hotel management of the following unfortunate incident.||||My check-in on Nov 14 (Room 1104), was marred by a non-native front liner (who if I am not mistaken, is a Nepalese going by the name of Karuki). It is bewildering that while he could converse in English, he did not assist his Japanese co-workers (2 girls) who was checking me in and trying to communicate with me for my luggage to be ta-q-bin to Kansai Airport.||||The girls (who appeared to be more junior) had to refer to him for advice on the ta-q-bin. His advice was then conveyed by the girls to say that Hanshin Annexe could only ta-q-bin luggage to other places but NOT to Kansai Airport (?). Even when I insisted that this could not be right, I was told it was the hotel policy. All this while, Karuki who was not attending to anyone did not attempt to provide the correct information nor came to communicate with me in English even when it was obvious his co-workers were struggling to speak in English. There was obviously no teamwork from him at all.||||At that point of time, I knew I was not going anywhere with the matter and I left it at that. But, I know for a fact that the information given to me was not correct.||||The next morning, I approached the reception again and was attended by 3 lovely Japanese ladies Satomi-san, Kuniko-san and Kaho-san who NOT surprisingly told me that the hotel could send my luggage to Kansai Airport! Their only concern was that it was already Nov 15, and my flight was departing for Hongkong on Nov 17 at 09:25. They told me had I given them my luggage on Nov 14 then there would be no issue at all. They then called up Yamato Transport to check on the pick-up time. But by then, my Japanese business associate had called me to say that he was already on the way to Yamato office (which was just a mere a 5-min walk from the hotel) to arrange for my luggage delivery. The girls apologised to me profusely for having been misinformed by their co-worker.||||In a nutshell, I am taken aback that Karuki who is obviously employed for his English speaking skills so as to facilitate non-Japanese guests would firstly refuse to communicate with non-Japanese speaking guests and secondly, gave out wrong advice to his co-workers. It is fortunate that I am a returned visitor to Japan and have local contacts to assist me but what happens if I were a first-time visitor in Japan?||||As a Hankyu-Hanshin Daiichi Hotel member I will be returning to stay at the hotel but would hope to receive a better customer experience with the non-native front officer. Perhaps he needs to undergo more training to better equip him with more EQ and a better attitude to deal with foreign hotel guests?||||To Satomi-san, Kuniko-san and Kaho-san who are the epitome of Japanese omotenashi, おおきに...

I recently stayed at Hotel Hanshin Annexe on Nov 9 for one night, returning again on Nov 14 for another 3 nights. Like many, I delighted in the hotel finding it aesthetically well-designed with a hard-to-beat location.||||As usual, the omotenashi accorded was impeccable and this is one of the reasons for my many repeated trips to Japan. Thus, I am compelled to inform the hotel management of the following unfortunate incident.||||My check-in on Nov 14 (Room 1104), was marred by a non-native front liner (who if I am not mistaken, is a Nepalese going by the name of Karuki). It is bewildering that while he could converse in English, he did not assist his Japanese co-workers (2 girls) who was checking me in and trying to communicate with me for my luggage to be ta-q-bin to Kansai Airport.||||The girls (who appeared to be more junior) had to refer to him for advice on the ta-q-bin. His advice was then conveyed by the girls to say that Hanshin Annexe could only ta-q-bin luggage to other places but NOT to Kansai Airport (?). Even when I insisted that this could not be right, I was told it was the hotel policy. All this while, Karuki who was not attending to anyone did not attempt to provide the correct information nor came to communicate with me in English even when it was obvious his co-workers were struggling to speak in English. There was obviously no teamwork from him at all.||||At that point of time, I knew I was not going anywhere with the matter and I left it at that. But, I know for a fact that the information given to me was not correct.||||The next morning, I approached the reception again and was attended by 3 lovely Japanese ladies Satomi-san, Kuniko-san and Kaho-san who NOT surprisingly told me that the hotel could send my luggage to Kansai Airport! Their only concern was that it was already Nov 15, and my flight was departing for Hongkong on Nov 17 at 09:25. They told me had I given them my luggage on Nov 14 then there would be no issue at all. They then called up Yamato Transport to check on the pick-up time. But by then, my Japanese business associate had called me to say that he was already on the way to Yamato office (which was just a mere a 5-min walk from the hotel) to arrange for my luggage delivery. The girls apologised to me profusely for having been misinformed by their co-worker.||||In a nutshell, I am taken aback that Karuki who is obviously employed for his English speaking skills so as to facilitate non-Japanese guests would firstly refuse to communicate with non-Japanese speaking guests and secondly, gave out wrong advice to his co-workers. It is fortunate that I am a returned visitor to Japan and have local contacts to assist me but what happens if I were a first-time visitor in Japan?||||As a Hankyu-Hanshin Daiichi Hotel member I will be returning to stay at the hotel but would hope to receive a better customer experience with the non-native front officer. Perhaps he needs to undergo more training to better equip him with more EQ and a better attitude to deal with foreign hotel guests?||||To Satomi-san, Kuniko-san and Kaho-san who are the epitome of Japanese omotenashi, おおきに...

Stayed at Hotel Hanshin Annex Osaka for 6 nights during my recent trip to Osaka for the first time. Location wise was perfect; the hotel was a straight road (~200m) walk down from Fukushima Station, with many food options (izakayas, chain restaurants like Yoshinoya, Sushiro, McDonald's etc) within walkable distance. There was also a 7-11 and supermarket (Oasis) located a stone’s throw away.

From Fukushima train station, it is one stop away from Osaka Station, with many departmental stores, shopping and food options. All the other touristy spots are also easily accessible by train.

Hotel wise, the room is what you would normally expect from a hotel in Japan, rooms are small but sufficient for a solo traveller like myself (I booked a Double Room, non-smoking). I paid around $130 per night for my room, and I was going in with the expectations of it being a 3 star hotel - and it was exactly that. Room was relatively clean and well designed to make use of every inch of space, bed was comfortable - shower was great, had good water pressure and temperature controls. Hotel provides complementary water and refills, and hygiene essentials (e.g. shavers, hair brushes and toothbrushes) were self-service at the reception, which was nice.

My room didn’t have much views of the city, so I can’t comment on that. If I really had to nitpick, there are some spots in the room which were collecting dust (e.g. vents in the shower, door hinges), and I found a few nail clippings and stray hairs on the platform beside the bed on my first night. Again, with it being a 3 star hotel, these are things I am willing to overlook.

Reception staff were nice and accommodating and I was able to store my luggage at the hotel since I arrived a bit early before check in was available. Overall an okay stay, would not be my first choice if returning - but I enjoyed...