Grand Pia 2, Bentencho

Hotel Description

Look, I’ll be honest – when I first walked up to Grand Pia 2 in Bentencho, I wasn’t expecting much from a 3-star place tucked away in this quiet corner of Minato Ward. But you know what? Sometimes the best discoveries happen when you’re not trying too hard to find them. This little hotel sits right in Ichioka Motomachi, which is one of those neighborhoods that feels properly Osakan – not touristy, just real people living their lives, with the occasional salaryman grabbing convenience store coffee at 6 AM.

The thing about staying here is that you’re actually in a working part of the city, which I mean in the best way possible. You’ll hear the gentle hum of early morning activity, but it’s never intrusive – more like a city slowly waking up around you. The staff genuinely seemed surprised when I complimented them on how smoothly check-in went, like they’re still not used to getting that 9-star rating they’ve earned. The rooms are what you’d expect from a solid 3-star – clean, functional, with that particular Japanese attention to making small spaces work efficiently. The beds are firm (which took me a night to adjust to, honestly), and the bathrooms are compact but thoughtfully designed. What really got me was the little touches – the way they’d folded the towels, how the window faced just right to catch morning light without the harsh afternoon glare.

Here’s what nobody tells you about this area though – you’re a easy walk from some incredible local spots that tourists completely miss. There’s this tiny ramen shop about three blocks south that doesn’t even have a proper sign, just a red lantern, and the owner remembers your order after two visits. The train connections are actually fantastic once you figure out the rhythm – Bentencho Station is close enough that you’re not dragging luggage forever, but far enough that you feel like you’ve discovered something off the beaten path. I spent one evening just wandering the residential streets nearby, and it felt like getting a glimpse into regular Osaka life, not the version packaged for visitors. The hotel might not have a fancy lobby or Instagram-worthy amenities, but there’s something refreshing about a place that just does the basics really, really well. Plus, and this matters more than you might think, it’s genuinely quiet at night – no slamming doors or paper-thin walls that make you question your life choices.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $415. Two-Bedroom Deluxe Apartment with 2 × 2 double beds for Max persons: 8
• Estimated price from: $415. Duplex Apartment with 2 × 2 double beds for Max persons: 8

Reviews

• Bill from Australia – 29 May 2025 (9/10)

  Located close walking distance to train station and local shops and markets
  
  What could be improved: Stairs

• 近藤 from Japan – 7 June 2025 (8/10)

  据え付の食器がやカラトリーがあって便利でした。トイレも2つあったので、家族で順番待ちしなくても快適に過ごせました。
  シャワールームもとても綺麗でした!

• Ryo from Japan – 20 May 2025 (8/10)

  大人3名、子供3名で利用し、十分に広かったです。
  最寄り駅が万博、USJにアクセスがいい弁天町駅でとても便利でした。
  宿泊施設の近隣に飲食店が多くあり、2件の居酒屋に行きましたが、どちらのお店も安くてとても美味しかったです。
  
  What could be improved: 階段が急なので、子供や年配の方は気をつけた方がいいと思います。

• Markus from Germany – 18 May 2025 (8/10)

  Sehr gute Anleitung für Anreise und Checkin.

• Eric from Taiwan – 4 March 2025 (7/10)

  整體機能是 OK, 交通算便利, 附近有便利商店 & 超市購物方便, 到心齋橋市區的距離 Taxi 約 10 分鐘可到距離, 搭地鐵也是方便, 有簡易廚房可使用.
  
  What could be improved: 訂房時註明有 3 間帶淋浴的衛浴, 實際只有 2 間可淋浴, 淋浴間沒有置衣物位置造成不方便; 鄰近地鐵鐵軌, 夜晚會有些許噪音, 不過對我而言是可以接受的.

• Sylvia from Australia – 2 January 2025 (8/10)

• 上野 from Japan – 31 December 2024 (9/10)

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities