Smile Hotel Premium Osaka Higashishinsaibashi

Smile Hotel Premium Osaka Higashishinsaibashi Overview

You know what struck me first about the Smile Hotel Premium in Higashishinsaibashi? It’s tucked into this surprisingly quiet pocket of Shimanouchi – I mean, you’re literally a three-minute walk from all the chaos of Dotonbori, but somehow the noise just doesn’t carry over here. The lobby’s got this clean, minimalist thing going on that actually feels calming after you’ve been battling the crowds around Shinsaibashi station all day.

The location is honestly pretty perfect if you want to be in the thick of things without paying those insane Namba prices. You’ve got the covered Shinsaibashi shopping arcade right there (seriously, it’s like a two-block walk), and if you head the other direction toward Nippombashi, there’s this whole electronics district that most tourists completely miss. I stumbled across some incredible late-night ramen spots down the side streets that way – the kind of places where salarymen grab a quick bowl after work and nobody speaks English, but the food is absolutely incredible.

The rooms themselves are what you’d expect from a newer Japanese business hotel, but done well. Everything’s compact but thoughtfully designed – the bathroom’s small but the shower pressure is fantastic, and they’ve got those heated toilet seats that honestly spoil you for everywhere else. The beds are firm in that Japanese way, which took me a night to get used to, but I slept better than I had in weeks. What I really appreciated were the little touches – proper blackout curtains (crucial when you’re dealing with jet lag), plenty of outlets near the bed, and a mini-fridge that actually gets cold. The AC is whisper quiet too, which matters more than you’d think when it’s muggy summer in Osaka.

Check-in was smooth even with my terrible Japanese – the front desk staff switched to pretty decent English without making it feel awkward. They had these little maps with restaurant recommendations that were actually useful, not just the touristy spots. Honestly, half the hotels I’ve stayed at in Japan hand you a map pointing to McDonald’s and call it local dining advice.

The only minor complaint? The elevator’s a bit slow, and if you’re on a higher floor during peak times, you might find yourself taking the stairs. But that’s pretty standard for this style of hotel in Japan. Also, if you’re expecting a gym or pool or whatever, this isn’t that kind of place – it’s more about location and solid basics done right.

What really sells this place for me is how it sits in the neighborhood. You’re close enough to walk to Kuromon Market for breakfast (get there early – the tourists descend after 10am), and you can easily explore both the trendy Amerika-Mura area and the more traditional bits around Hozenji Yokocho. Plus, three subway lines are within easy walking distance, so getting around Osaka is dead simple. For the price point and that 8.4 rating, it delivers exactly what it promises – a comfortable, well-located base for exploring one of Japan’s best food cities.

Smile Hotel Premium Osaka Higashishinsaibashi Accommodations

Reviews of Smile Hotel Premium Osaka Higashishinsaibashi

• Marie from Philippines – 30 April 2025 (9/10)

  It’s near the train station and attractions.
  
  What could be improved: Small space

• Maria from Philippines – 5 January 2025 (9/10)

  Good

• Anna from United States – 10 October 2024 (8/10)

  Hotel was in a great location, about 8 minute walk from Glico man in Dotonburi. We arrived there in the morning and were able to have the hotel hold on to our luggage before the check-in time so we were able to explore Osaka in the mean time. The room was clean and there were working laundry machines in the hotel (if I remember correctly it was ¥300 for washing and ¥100 for 30 minutes in the dryer).
  
  What could be improved: Room was a tad small, there was a tiny bit of space at the ends of the beds to walk through.

• Gayatri from Netherlands – 6 May 2024 (9/10)

  locations and breakfast, staff were polite
  
  What could be improved: nothing

• Joseph from Canada – 2 May 2024 (9/10)

  Every staff are very kind, and the food was good.
  
  What could be improved: N/A

• N from Philippines – 16 March 2024 (8/10)

  I like the spaciousness of the room and is well lighted. The bathroom too is spacious and clean. The amenities are great – body wash, shampoo, and conditioner all separate. No need to bring anymore with you as well as sleep wear as in all hotels I've stayed from Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, all provided sleepwear except in the apartel we stayed at inTokyo
  
  There is a Family Mart literally next door to the hotel. Drinking water is not provided by the hotel, which is a disappointment. I asked the reception if water from the tap could be used for at least boiling water for tea or coffee but was told not to. That was strange! (Language barrier perhaps?) I stayed in Tokyo for 10 days, and even the mirror in the bathroom has a sticker saying, "Drinkable." Hence, I purchased bottled water from next door Family Mart.
  
  The Dotonburi area is not too far but still a bit of a distance. Same with the subway.
  
  Coming here from the airport, the best way for you is to take the airport shuttle to OCAT (bus station), which is 1,300 yen. Then you can take a taxi from there to your hotel.
  
  For me, I took a taxi to OCAT for the airport shuttle. Cost me1,200yen. In total, 2500yen. The taxi to the airport is very expensive.
  
  Izumi and his colleague Komuko were very helpful. Izumi speaks good English and understands very well, too. He helped me get to the airport in the cheapest possible way. Thank you, Izumi!!
  
  What could be improved: My pillow cases had a perfume smell. Seems like they didn't change to a new one. I have allergy to perfumes, so for sure, it's not mine I smell on the pillow.
  
  If you take the train from the airport, it'll mean you have to make transfers and carry your bags to the hotel for a distance.

• Thanchanok from Thailand – 14 December 2023 (9/10)

  Comfortable beds, provided facilities, connecting rooms, great location.
  
  What could be improved: We have to pay for the car park fee at the hotel.

• Li from Singapore – 25 November 2023 (8/10)

  What could be improved: A bit further than other hotels along the same main road from Nippombashi station.

• Stephen from Australia – 7 October 2023 (9/10)

  Location & friendly staff
  
  What could be improved: Only 2 lifts

• Kelvin from Canada – 22 August 2023 (9/10)

  Great location
  
  What could be improved: Not their fault but there is an extremely annoying business called P’ce, situated across the street that blasts “peace peace peace” all day long. Ugh! It got so bad that I started using a different crosswalk so I didn’t have to hear it for as long while the light turned green.

Surroundings

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