8 Best Hotels in Minami, The Kansai Region

One of the city's newest luxury hotels looks out over the city from Osaka's tallest building and has some of the best nighttime views of any hotel in the region. Situated on the 38th to 57th floors of the new Abeno Harukas Building, the floor-to-ceiling windows give every room a bright, airy feeling that complements the subdued but trendy decor. The Premium Corner rooms offer views from two angles as well as a view from the bath. Located above Tennoji Station, the hotel is a short train ride from many tourist attractions and a short taxi from the nightlife areas of Namba and Shin-sai-bashi.

European-style furnishings and mellow contemporary art make the standard rooms at this high-end hotel some of the best in the city. As an added bonus, and unlike many other hotels in Japan, staying guests can make use of the pool and gym for free, and there are also discounts at the hotel's excellent restaurants. Be sure to enjoy a drink in Tavola 36, the hotel's top-floor sky lounge. If you are coming from the airport, use the courtesy phone to request a bellhop to collect your bags as soon as you get off the train. Take the third-floor exit at Nankai Namba Station.

One of Osaka's most stylishly modern and hip hotels, Cross is perfectly located for exploring the south side of Osaka. The bold, red glass–fronted exterior and spacious, design-focused rooms have the feeling of being at a boutique hotel—albeit one with over 200 rooms. The amenity-filled, spacious bathrooms—a rarity in Osaka—are another highlight.

For travelers on a budget, the Hearton Hotel Shin-sai-bashi offers a good location and very reasonable rates. Located in Amerika-mura, a short walk from the Shin-sai-bashi subway stop and the Mido-suji and Shin-sai-bashi shopping streets, the Hearton is perfectly situated so you can take advantage of Osaka's shopping and nightlife. The rooms are small but comfortable. The hip Planet 3rd café is next door.

A striking white tower in the colorful Shin-sai-bashi district, the Nikko is within easy reach of shopping meccas like Amerika-mura. What you pay depends on the amenities, as the twin and double rooms are all the same size. For a little more comfort, opt for a room on one of the L floors for a couple of thousand yen extra. Black-and-white photographs of Mido-suji-dori ornament the walls. 

An excellent base for exploring Osaka, the Miyako is also handy when you plan on taking day trips to Kyoto and Nara—the Kintetsu Ue-hon-machi Station next door offers quick access to both cities. Osaka Castle and Tenno-ji Temple are each a 15-minute walk away. The Miyako is comfortable and stylish with a staff who are attentive without being obsequious. As an added bonus, a new shopping center and theater are connected to the hotel.

One of Osaka's top luxury hotels, the St. Regis offers an oasis of comfort just a short walk from the lights and excitement of Shin-sai-bashi and Namba, and a short train ride from many of the city's major sights. The rooms strike a balance between modern chic and plush elegance, while the bright and airy 12th-floor lobby looks out over a rooftop Japanese garden. Service is impeccable as befits the St. Regis brand, going so far as to offer a full butler service that includes unpacking luggage, personal wake-up visit with coffee, and other guest requests.

Close to the laid-back cafés of Minami, the Toyoko Inn is a comfortable business hotel with rates that won't empty your wallet. All the amenities a budget traveler needs are here, including computers with free internet access in the foyer. The rates include a light breakfast of rice balls, miso soup, and coffee. The hotel is a 10-minute walk from the Shin-sai-bashi subway station.