Best Kid-Friendly Hotels in Osaka

The 292-room Ritz-Carlton Osaka is a five-pearl property and one of the most luxurious in the city. Elegant interiors resemble those of an 18th-century English mansion, and feature wood paneling, thick carpets, plush armchairs, and a collection of over 450 works of art and antiques. Rooms are some of the largest in town and have expansive city views, but some may find the traditionally elegant beige and blue color palette a little bland and dated. Its four excellent restaurants offer a wide range of cuisines (including Japanese, French, Chinese, and Italian) and there is a fitness center on-site complete with an indoor pool, a spa, and a serene garden with a whirlpool -- a rarity in Osaka. Guests looking for something more contemporary in the area may want to consider the Intercontinental Hotel Osaka, which can have lower rates.

First opened in 2010, the 160-room St. Regis Osaka has quickly become one of the most famous luxury hotels in the city. Rooms have sophisticated decor with delicate Japanese details, upscale bathrooms with soaking tubs, and expansive city views through floor-to-ceiling windows. Personal butlers make each stay a breeze, offering top-notch services such as packing and unpacking, free morning coffee delivery, and free clothes pressing. With wonderful on-site amenities ranging from an exclusive spa to two excellent European-inspired restaurants, and a central location near high-end shopping and attractions, it’s hard to go wrong with the St. Regis. The Ritz-Carlton tends to be a bit pricier, and many prefer The St. Regis for its more modern decor.

Located in Osaka Bay, the 600-room Hotel Universal Port is the official hotel of Universal Studios Japan, which is just a few minutes' walk from here. This upper-middle-range hotel has spacious guest rooms, and lots of kid-friendly facilities and amenities. Think: play areas, a dinosaur-themed cafe, and in-room toys and games. The restaurant serves meals buffet-style, with the extensive breakfast buffet (charged extra) made up of over 90 dishes. There's also a dinosaur-themed cafe and shop, and massage services are available in the Refresh Salon. However, there's no pool and the hotel is far from the city center, making the hotel truly a destination only for those visiting Universal Studios. Travelers looking to stay in the city center could try Hotel Granvia Osaka, which feels more business- than child-friendly.

The Park Front Hotel at Universal Studios is a modern three-pearl hotel aimed mostly at visitors to Universal Studios. However, trips downtown and to other local attractions are made easy by the JR station that's just minutes away on foot. Decor pays homage to the United States, with nods to iconic eras and places throughout the hotel. The restaurant has superb park views and the 598 smart rooms come in a variety of configurations perfect for families and groups. There's plenty on hand for younger visitors as well, including a kids' concierge. All in, it's a solid place to recharge during a visit to Universal, but travelers looking for a bit more to do on-site would need to opt for a hotel in the north of the city, like The Westin Osaka. 

Located next to the Osaka International Convention Center, RIHGA Royal Hotel Osaka is a huge high-rise hotel with 984 upscale guest rooms. Rooms are spacious, in a variety of looks, including Japanese-style suites, as well as rooms with a classic, romantic style. Guests on Executive Floors have free access to the pool and sauna, but fees are levied for other guests as well. Other features include a fitness center and a whirlpool (charged extra), a beauty salon, a business center, meeting rooms, and shops, plus 10 Japanese eateries, and French, Italian, and Chinese restaurants. Freebies include a shuttle bus service to Osaka station, and free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel. Travelers may also want to consider the Mitsui Garden Hotel Osaka Premier, a newer hotel with chic interiors but fewer features.

Built in 1996, this upper-middle-range hotel is virtually hidden inside a busy shopping arcade. Its location in Osaka's vibrant Namba district is popular with tourists, and a pair of nearby subway stations put the rest of the city in easy reach. Moreover, its 258 rooms -- some in a calming Western style, some with a modern Japanese look -- are comfortable and comparatively spacious. All include air-conditioning, minibars, tea/coffeemakers, and LED TVs, while upgraded ones add features like stereo systems and high-tech heated couches. On the downside, some guests have lamented the smell of cigarette smoke. Others complain of high rates, and -- apart from a Japanese restaurant and flower-filled courtyard  -- there are few features to compensate. With its chic interiors and traditional Japanese bath, the newer three-pearl Mitsui Garden Hotel Osaka Premier offers more for less.

The 716-room Hotel Granvia Osaka is a mid-range business property located right above Osaka Station City. The hotel is divided into Standard and Granvia Floors, each offering a radically different experience. While Standard Rooms are for the most part tiny, dated, and somewhat drab, Granvia units have stylish contemporary decor, bathrooms with separate soaking tubs and showers, and are large by Japanese standards; they also have extra amenities such as Nespresso machines and stocked minibars. With extensive meeting space, 12 on-site restaurants and bars, and a central location near the financial district, this hotel is especially convenient for business travelers. Those looking to explore the city’s main attractions may want to stay closer to Namba and Dotonbori. The Namba Oriental Hotel has similar rates and larger rooms.