Hotel Hankyu GRAN RESPIRE OSAKA

Hotel Description

Honestly, I wasn’t expecting much when I first heard about Hotel Hankyu GRAN RESPIRE OSAKA – I mean, it’s tucked into this massive development called Grand Green Osaka that looked pretty corporate from the outside. But you know what? Sometimes these newer places really get it right, and this one actually does.

The location is sort of perfect if you’re trying to balance being close to everything without dealing with the chaos of central Osaka. You’re in Kita-ku, which locals know is where you want to be – walking distance to Umeda Station (maybe 10 minutes if you don’t get turned around in the underground maze), but far enough from the main drag that you’re not hearing salary men stumbling home at 2 AM. The Ofukacho area has this interesting mix of residential quiet and urban energy, and the hotel sits right in that sweet spot. There’s actually a decent convenience store right in the building complex, which saved me more than once when I needed something random at odd hours.

What really struck me about this place is how they’ve managed to feel genuinely upscale without being stuffy. The lobby has this modern Japanese aesthetic that doesn’t feel forced – lots of natural wood and clean lines, but comfortable furniture you actually want to sit in. Check-in was refreshingly smooth; none of that standing around while they ask you seventeen questions about your stay. The rooms are what you’d hope for from a solid 4-star property – not huge by Western standards, but intelligently designed with storage that actually works and a bathroom that feels bigger than it is. I particularly loved the view from the upper floors; you can see toward Osaka Castle on clear days, and the city lights at night are honestly pretty spectacular.

The staff here gets the balance right between helpful and not hovering. They know enough English to handle most situations, but more importantly, they seem to genuinely want to help rather than just going through motions. I had a complicated question about getting to Kansai Airport with luggage, and the concierge actually printed out detailed directions with platform numbers and timing – that kind of attention to detail that makes a difference when you’re dealing with travel stress.

One thing that surprised me was how quiet the place is, considering it’s part of this larger development. The soundproofing is clearly well done; I never heard neighbors or street noise, even facing the busier side of the building. The restaurant situation is solid too – there’s a good breakfast spread (though it gets busy around 8 AM, so go earlier or later), and while I didn’t try dinner there, the menu looked promising. But honestly, with Osaka’s incredible food scene right outside your door, you’d be crazy to spend too many meals inside anyway.

At an 8.6 rating, this place sits exactly where it should – reliably excellent without trying to be something it’s not. It’s the kind of hotel that gets the fundamentals right and adds just enough personality to make you remember it fondly. If you’re looking for a solid base to explore Osaka without paying ridiculous prices for a famous name, this is definitely worth considering.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $164. Standard Double Room with 1 large double bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $164. Moderate Double Room with 1 large double bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $181. Standard Twin Room with 2 single beds for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $218. Corner Twin Room with 2 single beds for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $356. Club Floor – Club Deluxe Double Room with 1 large double bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $437. Club Floor – Club Corner Twin Room with 2 single beds for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $509. Club Floor – Club Executive Twin Room with 2 double beds for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $565. Club Floor – Club Junior Suite with 2 single beds for Max persons: 2

Reviews

• Fei from New Zealand – 12 June 2025 (8/10)

  What could be improved: Pillow to soft it’s uncomfortable

• Angela from Hong Kong – 11 June 2025 (9/10)

  Very clean and friendly staff. Super good location.
  
  What could be improved: Only the pillows are too soft but overall great! Will def come back.

• Meshal from Kuwait – 8 June 2025 (9/10)

  The room is super clean and the furniture is very Japanese and beautiful . . It’s very very close to Osaka Station and there’s a bridge to go directly to the JR gates.
  
  What could be improved: Check-in is strictly at 03:00p.m.
  When I asked the front desk for a taxi on a heavy rainy day they said that they don’t call taxis and I’ll have to go to the nearby taxi stop . . I went there and I had to wait for a while.

• Sirikarn from Thailand – 4 June 2025 (9/10)

  nice room ,big and comfortable
  new everything
  
  What could be improved: check-in should be more staff
  amenities not in room

• Tan from Malaysia – 3 June 2025 (9/10)

  Great location and new hotel.

• Alan from United States – 26 May 2025 (9/10)

  layout and thoughtfulness of the design.
  
  What could be improved: Signage from JR Osaka Kitaumeda was nonexistent.

• Teri from United States – 26 May 2025 (9/10)

  Located in a newer area by Osaka Station with cafes, a fancy food court, upscale shopping nearby. The area isn’t as crowded as the central part of the station , but still convenient. Great breakfast!
  
  What could be improved: A little pricey, but probably because of the demand caused by the Expo.

• Angelique from Australia – 20 May 2025 (9/10)

  Our stay here was amazing! I had lower expectations as it was a new hotel and I only saw rendered photo's, however it was much more grand than I thought, the rooms were accurate to the pictures and much larger too, and the onsen was a whole thing in itself. It featured about 9+ differing baths, sauna's and experiences, with a seperate area for lockers and yet another for grooming. It was about 25,000 yen per person, I would recommend either spending the day (as there was a wellness food area that families were eating at) or leaving at least an hour for a session.
  
  Breakfast was also incredible… not cheap (roughly 40,000 yen) but a lot of options such as a station to make your own udon or takoyaki balls. Couldn't recommend enough for the price and would stay here again.

• Kelly from United States – 14 May 2025 (8/10)

  The breakfast buffet and the staff were very nice and always present to help you out with questions. The property was pretty new and very nice with its features.
  
  What could be improved: Very confusing to get to from the main train stations nearby since all the stations around are connected to shopping malls and there’s not a lot of signage to get to the hotel from the train station. The spa package didn’t include the outdoor infinity pool which felt like a waste

• Bowen from Canada – 14 May 2025 (9/10)

  Everything is great! Hope to visit again!

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities