RIHGA Royal Hotel Osaka, Vignette Collection by IHG

Hotel Description

You know what caught me off guard about the RIHGA Royal? It’s actually tucked away on Nakanoshima – this little island wedge between two rivers that most tourists completely miss. I mean, everyone’s rushing around Dotonbori or Shinsaibashi, but honestly, this spot feels like you’ve found Osaka’s best-kept secret.

The lobby hits you right away with that understated Japanese luxury thing – none of the flashy marble you’d expect from a typical five-star chain, but more like walking into a really elegant friend’s living room (if your friend happened to be incredibly wealthy and have impeccable taste). The staff here genuinely knows their stuff too, not just the rehearsed spiel you get at some places. Check-in was smooth, even when I arrived early on a Tuesday afternoon, and they actually remembered my name throughout the stay without constantly checking their notes.

What really makes this place work is the location – I keep coming back to that. You’re literally a five-minute walk to the Museum of Oriental Ceramics, which sounds boring but is actually pretty fascinating, and the riverside walking paths are perfect for those early morning jet-lag walks. The rooms face either the river or the city, and honestly, I’d go for the river view if you can swing it. There’s something calming about watching the water, especially at night when the city lights reflect off it. The beds are proper comfortable – not too soft, not too firm – and the bathrooms have those deep Japanese soaking tubs that you don’t realize you need until you’re in one after a long day of temple-hopping.

The restaurant situation is solid without being pretentious. Their Japanese breakfast is the real deal (though it’ll run you about 3,000 yen), and room service actually arrives hot, which is rarer than it should be. One small thing – the elevators can get a bit slow during peak hours, usually around 8 AM and 6 PM when everyone’s coming and going. Not a dealbreaker, just something to factor in if you’re rushing to catch a train.

What really sold me on this place is how it feels connected to actual Osaka life rather than being stuck in some tourist bubble. You’ll see local businesspeople in the lobby, families heading to nearby Osaka Castle (about a 15-minute walk), and the concierge can point you toward spots that aren’t in every guidebook. The neighborhood gets pretty quiet after 9 PM, which is perfect if you want to escape the controlled chaos of central Osaka but still be close enough to dive back in whenever you want. It’s that sweet spot where you feel like you’re staying somewhere special without the stuffiness that sometimes comes with five-star hotels.

Rooms

• Estimated price from: $157. Standard King Room with 1 extra-large double bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $171. Standard Double Room with Two Double Beds with 2 double beds and 1 sofa bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $193. Premium King Room with Separate Bath with 1 extra-large double bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $204. Premium Double Room with Separate Bath with 2 double beds for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $238. Grand Double Room – Newly Renovated with 2 double beds and 1 sofa bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $238. 1 King Grand with 1 extra-large double bed and 1 sofa bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $245. Grand Room for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $307. Corner King Suite – Newly Renovated with 1 extra-large double bed and 1 sofa bed for Max persons: 2
• Estimated price from: $463. Twin Room – Lounge Access with 2 single beds for Max persons: 2

Reviews

• Nicola from Japan – 9 June 2025 (9/10)

  Everything was very clean. There were a lot of amenities and I loved having the option of no cleaning, half cleaning, and full cleaning. The room was spacious and the bed was very comfortable. I like having direct access to the train and a shuttle bus to JR Osaka.
  
  What could be improved: The location is less convenient for walking or getting around but there is direct access to the train and a shuttle bus.

• Pauline from Switzerland – 5 June 2025 (8/10)

  The Tea room was wonderful! The breakfast is also really delicious.
  
  What could be improved: The perfume in the main room is too strong.

• Conrad from Vietnam – 29 May 2025 (7/10)

  What could be improved: Additional hotel facilities were overpriced.

• Yusuf from Bahrain – 8 May 2025 (8/10)

  Clean , big , tidy , comfortable, nice bakery ,
  
  What could be improved: We book this hotel because it has train station , and i have no idea where the train station go to ! It doesnt go to namba, universal, zoo , expo ! We had always to walk far away to go to the other station

• Denise from United Kingdom – 7 May 2025 (9/10)

  Very attentive staff, hotel very well maintained, excellent facilities.
  
  What could be improved: Small hotel rooms but usual for Japan

• Denise from United Kingdom – 28 April 2025 (9/10)

  Excellent facilities., highly attentive staff, very good breakfast
  
  What could be improved: Nothing

• Tsidiso from South Africa – 16 April 2025 (8/10)

  The hotel is absolutely massive — one of the largest I’ve ever stayed in, and beautifully laid out. After an initial issue, the staff upgraded me to a newly renovated suite on the 19th floor, which turned out to be one of the best rooms I’ve ever stayed in: spacious, elegant, and with a stunning view. The breakfast was solid, and the location was great for getting around Osaka. The shuttle service from the station is also a wonderful benefit.
  
  What could be improved: Upon check-in, there was a strong smell of cigarette smoke coming from a neighboring room. Despite raising it immediately, it took over an hour and multiple follow-ups before the issue was taken seriously and resolved. The delay was frustrating, especially late at night. If the team had acted promptly, it would’ve completely changed the tone of my arrival and I would’ve given this hotel 9/10.

• Adrian from United States – 16 April 2025 (8/10)

  A lot of restaurants and convenience store directly located in hotel

• Leila from Australia – 10 April 2025 (9/10)

  A nice and beautiful hotel. Very clean with helpful staff.
  
  What could be improved: Shuttle bus was very helpful with the regular rides to Osaka station , however still the location of the hotel is not the best.

• Cristina from Romania – 7 April 2025 (9/10)

  I liked that the staff was very helpful and upgraded us from a room that was unbreathable…
  The congierge were also helpful in finding good restaurants for dinner.
  The free shuttle to Osaka Station was a blessing as all our trips were by train.
  
  What could be improved: The fact that everybody wears a mask, which makes communication even more difficult than usual and also looks unfriendly to a European.
  Check-in took forever due to a difficult computer system I believe.
  The breakfast options are too expensive for the selection and quality hotels generally offer in Japan.
  The restaurants in the hotel are too expensive and there us no cozy bar to enjoy a drink at least in the evening.

SURROUNDINGS

Facilities