For the final night of our family trip from Kyoto to Osaka, we stayed at the “Swissotel Nankai Osaka,” located near Osaka Namba Station. Swissotel is a luxury hotel found in major cities worldwide, known for its upscale atmosphere.
As a 5-star hotel, Swissotel boasts clean facilities and excellent service. To conclude our journey on a high note, we decided to stay at a hotel situated in the heart of Osaka Namba.
“Convenient Access from Osaka Namba Station to Swissotel”
Swissotel’s location at Osaka Namba Station makes it exceptionally accessible. Upon exiting Namba Station, you can reach the hotel in less than 5 minutes on foot. Although it takes a bit longer to walk from JR Namba Station—around 10 minutes—the hotel’s accessibility is undeniable.
Our group disembarked at “JR Namba Station,” which extended the time to reach the hotel, but the hotel itself is centrally located in Osaka Namba, offering convenient access to any part of Osaka. Especially, if you plan to visit the bustling areas of Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi shopping street, considered the heart of Osaka tourism, the hotel’s location is excellent.
“Scenic Views from the 36th-floor High-rise Building”
The hotel rooms are positioned on high floors, with the top floor being the 36th, serving as a restaurant and bar. If you opt for the hotel’s breakfast, you can enjoy the morning meal while overlooking the cityscape of Osaka.
Our assigned room was on the 30th floor, providing a sufficiently elevated position to admire Osaka’s skyline. Osaka, in contrast to Kyoto, exudes the atmosphere of a much larger metropolitan city, with endless buildings visible even from great heights.
“A Western-style Room Ambiance”
The room was notably different from the “Kanra Hotel Kyoto,” where we stayed in Kyoto. While Kanra Hotel embraced a traditional Japanese ryokan concept, Swissotel was distinctly Western in its decor.
The room featured a coffee machine, allowing guests to brew their own coffee. Unfortunately, due to time constraints during the trip, I couldn’t take advantage of this amenity. Reflecting on it while writing after returning home, I regret not finding a moment to savor coffee with a view of Osaka.
The room was overall neat and moderately spacious. Apart from the bed, there was also a designated space with a table, providing a comfortable setting for conversations.
“Fitness Centre on the 11th Floor”
On the 36th floor, you could find restaurants and a bar, while the 11th floor housed a health club and swimming pool. The use of the gym was complimentary, but you needed appropriate workout attire and shoes for entry. Lacking exercise clothes, I was fortunate to borrow them at the facility. Renting a shirt, pants, and shoes cost 550 yen each, totaling around 1,650 yen, approximately 16,500 won in Korean currency.
After not exercising for a while, spending about two hours at the gym felt refreshing and invigorating. It made me realize the importance of incorporating regular exercise into my routine, especially as I returned home and tackled urgent matters.
“Breakfast on the 36th Floor”
For breakfast on the last day, we dined at the restaurant on the 36th floor. Taking the elevator up, the 5-star hotel’s breakfast spread was diverse and the ambiance delightful. Particularly enchanting was the opportunity to enjoy a meal while overlooking Osaka’s cityscape through the windows.
With a variety of Western and Eastern dishes, we could once again indulge in a hearty breakfast. Having a substantial morning meal, we were ready to continue our journey. The view from the 36th-floor building and the pleasant atmosphere of the restaurant made it difficult to leave after finishing breakfast.
Being a 5-star hotel, the accommodation costs were considerable, but the ambiance alone makes it a worthwhile choice for those seeking a leisurely stay or traveling with family.
“Swissotel Nankai Osaka, Osaka Namba”
- Address: 5 Chome-1-60 Nanba, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0076, Japan
- Phone: +81-6-6646-1111
- Website: swissotel.com
- Agoda Reservation: https://app.ac/g3PId9J23