Hotel Mystays Sakaisuji-Honmachi

Much about the Hotel Mystays Sakaisuji-Honmachi is small and simple, though everything is pleasantly modern and it makes for a fine stay within reasonable striking distance of Osaka's sights. The lobby is compact, with a beige and terra-cotta tiled floor with a large, square leather seat in the center, and two reception desks. There are baskets of shaving cream, cotton buds, hair brushes, and other toiletries which guests are welcome to help themselves to. The lobby tends to be busy for most of the day, with a steady stream of guests coming and going, and suitcases lines up against the walls. The property is smart and kept clean throughout. It tends to attract a wide range of guests from business people to large groups of students from across the world. 

The property is located on a quiet back road next to plenty high-rise residential buildings. It’s surrounded by a few local shops, businesses, and restaurants, but there are no real tourist attractions in the area. It’s around a seven-minute walk from Kitahama Station on the Sakaisuji subway line, and nine minutes’ walk from the Keihan main line exit of Kitahama Station. There are also other stations that link to different subway lines within a 12-minute walk, so the hotel is well connected for public transport, making it easy to get around the city and beyond. Osaka Castle, the Hokoku Shrine, and Nisinomaru Garden take around a half hour to reach by public transport, 25 minutes on foot, or 15 minutes by car. The popular Dotonbori shopping street is a 20-minute subway ride away. Osaka International Airport is a 20-minute drive, or can be reached by bus and train in around an hour. 

The 189 guest rooms at the Hotel Mystays Sakaisuji-Honmachi are available as Standard or Superior Twin, Double, or Queen Rooms. Despite the category, most are small, with little space to move around the bed or store luggage. The decor has a fairly corporate feel, with a sharp gray and brown color scheme, cherry wood veneered furniture and headboards, and brown checked bed throws. All in all, the look is modern and clean. Each room has a fridge, safe, desk and leather work chair, air-conditioning, tea- and coffee-making facilities, a small flat-screen TV with satellite channels, and free Wi-Fi. Other in-room amenities such as cell phone chargers, DVD players, irons, and trouser presses can be provided on request. Some rooms have the addition of a small kitchenette, and cookware and cutlery can be provided. Bathrooms are small as well, and have a shower/tub combo and just a bit of space around the sinks. Toiletries and a hairdryer are provided. Smoking and non-smoking options are available. 

Features are thin here, which isn't uncommon for hotels in the middle of Osaka in this category. The hotel has a Japanese restaurant on-site, Daiyoshi Izakaya, which is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It has a simple, modern interior with black tiles and dark wood on the floor, banquette seating along the walls, and bamboo blinds separating each table. The restaurant serves authentic dishes such as sushi, tempura, and fried kushikatsu -- food gets solid marks. It also has a bar that serves a range of Japanese wines and beers, and an outdoor terrace where guests can eat and drink in warmer weather. Other amenities on-site include a self-serve laundry room, plus a room with a vending machine, ice machine, and microwave for guests to use. On-site parking is available and Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.