Osaka Dai-Ichi Hotel is located in the Marubiru, a notable tube-like tower south of Osaka Station, which also contains many restaurants and shops. The name “Marubiru” literally means “round building” because of the building’s cylindrical shape.
The entrance to Osaka Dai-Ichi Hotel
As well as being close to Umeda’s main railway stations, the Marubiru’s location is handy for other forms of transportation too. The B2 basement level of the building opens into Umeda’s underground shopping arcades and subway stations. There is an airport shuttle bus terminal directly outside the building, and there is a Nissan Rent-a-Car Desk on the ground floor, not far from the hotel lobby. Car parking is also available on the B3 and B4 basement levels.
Guest Rooms
Guest rooms are located on the 10th to the 29th floors and the building’s unique circular structure means that all rooms are outward facing, so all guests can enjoy city views. Smoking and non-smoking rooms are both available. All rooms are air conditioned and come with a TV, refrigerator, electric kettle, nightwear, slippers and free bottled water. A DVD player, trouser press, iron, and humidifier can all be borrowed on request. For a fee you can also rent a computer, or pay for CS satellite channels for your TV.
There is free Wi-Fi in all the guest rooms and the lobby of the hotel, and rooms also have high speed LAN cable internet connections. Bathrooms come supplied with towels, a hair dryer, a hair brush and complimentary toiletries such as soap, shampoo, conditioner, a toothbrush and toothpaste. Of the hotel’s 460 rooms just 8 rooms are Japanese style with tatami floors and futon mattresses instead of beds.
The reception desk and lobby
Dining Facilities
There are more than 20 restaurants in the Marubiru serving a range of Japanese, Balinese, Chinese, Indian, and Western style cuisines. For breakfast the hotel recommends the buffet restaurant Carat on the 1st floor. This is the official hotel restaurant and serves a daily smorgasbord of Japanese and European style breakfast foods from 6.45 – 9.45 am. The cost is 2,160 yen for adults, 1,080 yen for elementary school aged children (ages 6 – 12) and 720 yen for children under 6 years old. If you are in the mood for a simple sandwich and a cup of coffee however, there is a Starbucks coffee shop on the same floor.
Restaurant Carat with Starbucks behind it
Other Facilities & Services
This hotel has a 24 hour reception desk and some English speaking staff.
A limited number of morning and evening newspapers are available for free.
The hotel has a paid dry cleaning service.
There are drinks vending machines and ice machines in the hotel.
This hotel has a unique cylindrical structure
Access
Osaka Dai-Ichi Hotel is a 4 minute walk from Osaka Station’s south central exit. Here is a map.
Article and original photos by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved.
