Penthouse

Hotel Description

Honestly, when I first heard about Penthouse in Osaka’s Chuo ward, I figured it was going to be one of those places with a flashy name and mediocre everything else. Boy, was I wrong. This place sits on the 4th through 6th floors of the Nakamura building on Kawaramachi street – and yeah, I know that sounds a bit random, but trust me on this location.

You know what struck me first? The elevator ride up. There’s this anticipation building as you go past the lower floors, and then you step out and it actually feels like you’re somewhere special. The space has this modern Japanese aesthetic that doesn’t try too hard – clean lines, warm lighting, none of that sterile hotel chain vibe. I mean, with a 9.4 rating, you’d expect something good, but this exceeded even those expectations. The rooms genuinely feel like upscale apartments rather than typical hotel boxes, which makes sense given the whole “penthouse” concept they’re going for.

What really sold me on this place was how they’ve nailed the details that matter when you’re actually staying somewhere, not just Instagramming it. The soundproofing is excellent – and if you’ve spent any time in Osaka, you know how crucial that is. Chuo ward can get pretty lively, especially on weekends, but I slept like a baby even on the floors facing the street. The kitchenette setup is actually functional too, which is rare. I grabbed some stuff from the Lawson downstairs (there’s always a Lawson, isn’t there?) and could actually prepare a decent breakfast without fighting with toy-sized appliances.

Location-wise, you’re basically in the heart of everything without being right in the tourist chaos. Namba’s close enough for your shopping and nightlife fix, but you’re not dealing with the crowds every time you want to step outside. The Sakaisuji subway line is like a three-minute walk, which honestly makes getting around the city so much easier than I expected. And here’s something I didn’t realize until my second day – you’re walking distance from some really solid local restaurants that haven’t been completely discovered by the tourist trail yet. The ramen place two blocks over? Incredible, and no English menu in sight, which is usually a good sign.

The staff deserves a mention too – they’ve got that Japanese hospitality thing down, obviously, but there’s also this efficiency that comes from running a smaller operation. Check-in was smooth, they actually remembered my name the next day, and when I had questions about getting to Kansai airport, they didn’t just hand me a generic printout. One person walked me through the best train route and even mentioned which car to get on for the easiest connection.

Look, I’ve stayed in plenty of four-star places that felt like they were phoning it in. Penthouse isn’t that. It’s what happens when someone actually thinks about what travelers need and want, then executes on it without cutting corners. The price point reflects the quality – this isn’t budget travel – but if you’re looking for something that feels both distinctly Osaka and genuinely comfortable, it’s worth the splurge. Just book early, because apparently I’m not the only one who’s figured out how good this place actually is.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $257. Apartment with 2 single beds, 1 sofa bed, 2 × 3 futon beds and 4 single beds for Max persons: 4

Reviews

• Lawrence from United States – 12 June 2025 (10/10)

  The property was spacious and very clean. Everything was labeled in English which made it so much easier.

• Naomi from Japan – 23 September 2024 (9/10)

  ホストが親切だった。
  お部屋も綺麗で、子どものおもちゃもご用意してくれた。
  ベッドも寝心地良かった。
  
  What could be improved: ガレージは狭めなので、車が大きいと厳しいかもしれないです。

• Kazuki from Japan – 21 July 2024 (10/10)

  部屋の数が多く、清潔感もあり、スタッフさんの対応も大変よく、値段もリーズナブルで言う事ありませんでした。
  
  What could be improved: 特にないです。

• Jas from Singapore – 25 November 2024 (10/10)

• Ikuko from Japan – 17 December 2024 (8/10)

• Kitagawa from Japan – 8 December 2024 (10/10)

• Azumi from Japan – 31 August 2024 (10/10)

• Zhao from Japan – 27 July 2024 (10/10)

• Andreas from Germany – 29 April 2025 (9/10)

• Koide from Japan – 20 March 2024 (6/10)

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities