Hotel Chuo Reviews

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Hotel Chuo is a large, impersonal hotel and hostel in a very bland neighbourhood of Osaka. It would be a good choice for a few nights if your main concern is saving money. However, if you're willing to spend a little more money, there are much better options.

The Location

The hostel is located a short walk away from a subway station, and thus it is easily and cheaply accessible from the airport and main train station. There are a few restaurants and a few convenience stores not very far. It is located in a safe, well-lit area.

Rooms and Bathrooms

The rooms are basic hostel rooms with bunk beds, a little coffee table, and a small fridge. The lockers are located outside of the room, and are big enough to hold all of your valuables, but not a backpack or a suitcase. The rooms themselves are bland, and not very good looking, by Japanese standards. They are kept clean, and there is Wi-Fi, but they're the kind of rooms in which you'll only want to spend the absolute minimum time. The oddity of this hostel is that the showers are downstairs. There are toilets and sinks on every level; however, if you want to take a shower, you have to take the elevator down. Our room was on the ninth floor, and it was inconvenient and awkward. The showers are kept clean, but, once again, by Japanese standards they seemed very minimal.

Common Spaces

This hostel's major problem is the atmosphere -- as in, there is none. It is a very large building that is partly a hotel, and it is not meant for socializing. There is a common room and a small kitchen on the ground floor, but they are not very inviting. They seem cold and dirty, and most people spend very little time there, It doesn't seem like there are many travelers or backpackers staying in this hostel -- it's mostly people spending a night or two while on business or transiting trough Osaka. The staff are not the typical friendly, engaging type of hostel staff, and while they do their best, communication is difficult.

Summary

Hotel Chuo in Osaka is significantly cheaper than other hostels offering dorm rooms. It's close to the subway, and the location is fairly convenient. If you're looking for a cheap place to stay for a day or two, this is a good option. However, if you want a nice hostel, with a good ambiance, a place to meet people, or communicative staff, you're better off looking at other options.

Monica

2014-01-25

Canada