Hotel Granvia Osaka

The mid-range Hotel Granvia Osaka is housed in a tall gray tower similar to the many skyscrapers in the neighborhood. It is right above (and connected to) the Osaka Station City, but also has its own separate entrance on the side of the building. This huge hotel has a dozen dining and drinking options, and can feel crowded at times, especially in the tiny lobby. There is nowhere to sit here, and the high volume of people checking in and out make the space feel even tighter. There aren’t many common spaces aside from the reception area and the restaurants, but all are decorated in a contemporary style that ranges from generic to chic. The most striking of all is probably the River Head Lounge, housed in an impressive long space with soaring vaulted glass ceilings and dozens of tables. The top floor of the hotel is occupied by the Granvia executive level, which includes a private lounge with panoramic views and free refreshments and snacks (and a number of rooms that feel a world away from the tiny, dated units on the Standard Floors). With several meeting rooms on-site and a location convenient to the financial district, this hotel is a popular pick for business travelers.  

Hotel Granvia Osaka is located directly above Osaka Station City, one of the city’s main transportation hubs. The hotel is also connected to the mall inside the train station, which allows for easy access not only to public transport but to dozens of shops and restaurants as well. Most major attractions are a 30-minute subway ride away, including Osaka Castle, Shitenno-ji Temple, and the Osaka Aquarium. This location is also convenient for travelers looking to explore nearby towns such as Kobe, Kyoto, and Nara, as trains depart from Osaka Station City. Those taking the Shinkansen may want to note that bullet trains stop at Shin-Osaka Station instead, one subway stop away. Osaka International Airport is a 20-minute drive away. 

The hotel is divided into two sections: the Standard Floors and the Granvia Floors. The former -- where the majority of the rooms are -- has tiny units with simple, sometimes drab decor, including thin brown bedspreads, blond wood furniture, and dark carpets that have seen better days. A few Standard Floor units are slightly larger and have city views, but most have windows opening onto a wall. Granvia Floor units feel a world away from the Standard Floors and have stylish contemporary decor in dark hues with textured walls, leaf and geometric designs on carpets, and fresh duvets. All but Placid Rooms on Granvia Floors have great city views. Standard amenities -- including small flat-screen TVs with one or two international channels, empty mini-fridges, and electric kettles -- are a little basic. But amenities in Granvia Rooms are a step above, and include large flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, stocked minibars, Nespresso machines, and safes. Bathrooms are clean in all rooms, but while lower priced units have basic shower/tub combos, Granvia rooms have attractive wet room-style rain showers and separate soaking tubs. Granvia Floor rooms may seem like a desirable option, but the upgrade comes with a high price tag. Wi-Fi is free throughout. 

This huge hotel is home to a dozen dining and drinking options, including fine and casual restaurants and bars. Fleuve is the hotel’s fine dining restaurant, and serves excellent French and Mediterranean cuisine with city views. Additionally, there are three Japanese restaurants, a casual Chinese eatery, a buffet, a tapas joint, and a couple of lounges with small bites, pastries, and coffee. There are also 11 meeting rooms on-site, all featuring audiovisual equipment and catering services. The executive lounge is open to Granvia Floor guests only, and offers free snacks and refreshments throughout the day. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout, and airport shuttle services can be booked for a fee at the front desk. The hotel lacks a fitness center.