Holiday Inn Express Osaka City Centre Midosuji

Holiday Inn Express Osaka City Centre Midosuji is a practical, modern hotel in the Honmachi district of Chuo Ward, on the Midosuji line that runs between Umeda and Namba. It has 304 rooms in sixteen room types, from standard rooms to king, queen and twin rooms, a high-floor premium three-twin option and accessible rooms, with sizes from about 183 to 355 square feet, so there is a layout for solo travelers, couples, friends and families. Each room has free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, a safe, a laptop workspace and blackout drapes. The rate usually includes a free breakfast buffet served from seven to ten in the morning, which covers up to two adults sharing a room, with extra guests paying a fee, and there is an on-site restaurant for other meals. Other facilities include a 24-hour gym, laundry and dry cleaning, a 24-hour front desk, luggage storage and bicycle storage. There is no on-site parking, which is no problem in a city where trains reach almost everywhere. Check-in is from three in the afternoon, with a minimum age of eighteen, and check-out is by eleven.

Why Honmachi works. Honmachi is a business district, quiet in the evening, but it is on the Midosuji line, so Umeda and Namba are each a few stops away, and Hommachi Station is about three minutes on foot. Shinsaibashi Station is about six minutes away, the Orix Theater is a six-minute walk and America-mura is about seven.

Dotonbori and the Glico sign are about sixteen minutes on foot, which is a pleasant evening stroll, and Kuromon Market is a short taxi ride. Itami Airport is about half an hour away by car. This makes the hotel a convenient base for people who want to move around the city rather than live in one neighborhood.

What you get for the price. The free breakfast buffet is the main value point, since breakfast in a central Osaka hotel can cost a surprising amount, and starting the day with a meal included reduces the cost of a trip. The rooms are clean, simple and functional rather than stylish, and the larger room types suit groups and families.

The 24-hour gym is a bonus in this price range. Because the neighborhood is business-oriented, it has fewer late-night bars than Namba, and you will want to head toward Shinsaibashi or Dotonbori for evening entertainment, which is a short ride or walk. Expect efficiency rather than luxury, and check the room size when you book if you have large suitcases.

Who it suits. This hotel is ideal for budget-conscious couples, small families, friends traveling together and independent visitors who want a central address with breakfast included. It also suits people who want to be between Umeda and Namba rather than at either end. If you prefer to be on top of the nightlife, a Namba hotel such as the Dormy Inn Premium Namba Annex is closer to Dotonbori, and if you want a more upscale stay in the north, the Hilton is the alternative.

Rates vary by season and weekday, and the accommodation tax is added per person per night depending on the rate, so compare dates and read the breakfast conditions before you book.