Hotel Ritz Koshien

The hotel offers a distinctive stay, primarily characterized by its unusually spacious rooms and bathrooms, a unique feature often attributed to its past as a love hotel. This aspect provides a sense of generous space not typically found in standard business hotels, making it a memorable choice for guests. It is particularly well-suited for baseball fans due to its exceptional proximity to Koshien Stadium, allowing for easy access to games. Families also find the ample room size and separate bath/toilet appealing, while couples might appreciate the unique ambiance and privacy. Budget-conscious travelers often choose this hotel for its reasonable pricing relative to the space provided. To enhance your stay, guests recommend requesting a room away from the main highway to minimize noise, and being mindful of the various steps and level changes present within the rooms.

Facilities & Amenities
Guests generally find the hotel's amenities to be practical, though some aspects show the building's age. The availability of free Wi-Fi is appreciated, ensuring guests can stay connected. Rooms are equipped with an in-room fridge, often containing complimentary welcome drinks, and some even feature a microwave or a massage chair, adding to guest comfort. However, a common point of feedback concerns the air conditioning, which many guests report as being centrally controlled and difficult to adjust, leading to rooms being either too hot or too cold. Additionally, the ventilation system and fridge can be quite noisy, impacting sleep quality for some. A notable absence for some guests is an air purifier, and the lack of power outlets near beds or tables is a minor inconvenience for charging devices.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
The hotel rooms are consistently praised for their spaciousness, offering significantly more area than typical business hotel accommodations. The bathrooms are particularly large, featuring separate toilets and baths and often a generous bathtub with good water pressure, which many guests enjoy for relaxation. Most guests find the beds comfortable and large, though some note that additional beds provided for larger groups can be quite firm. Cleanliness receives mixed reviews; while many guests report the rooms as clean and well-maintained, some have encountered issues such as dust, cigarette butts in non-smoking rooms, or dirty bath towels. A recurring concern is noise, with many guests experiencing significant disturbance from highway traffic and car noise outside, and some reporting thin walls allowing sounds from neighboring rooms to be heard. The presence of steps and level changes within the rooms is also frequently mentioned as a potential hazard.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel's approach to dining is a distinctive feature, with breakfast delivered directly to the room at a guest's chosen time. This service is widely appreciated, especially by families, as it allows for a relaxed start to the day without the need to dine in a public area. Guests can typically choose between Japanese or Western breakfast options. Feedback on the food quality is varied; some guests describe the meals as reasonable or delicious, highlighting the convenience and the inclusion of warm tea as a thoughtful touch. However, others express disappointment, finding the portions small or the taste underwhelming. There have also been instances where guests received incorrect orders or faced issues with breakfast availability during peak times, leading to refunds.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel boasts an excellent central location for those visiting the area, particularly for baseball fans as it is just a short walk (approximately 3-5 minutes) from Koshien Stadium. This proximity is a major draw, allowing guests to attend games without worrying about transportation. It is also conveniently located for families planning a visit to KidZania Koshien, which is about a 10-15 minute walk away. The hotel is situated near Hanshin Koshien Station, providing good access to public transport, and there are convenience stores and shopping malls nearby for essential needs. Free parking is available, which is a significant benefit for guests traveling by car, though some note that the parking space is limited or has height restrictions for mechanical parking, and finding the entrance can be tricky.

Staff & Service
The hotel staff generally receives high praise for their friendly, polite, and attentive service. Many guests highlight the warm hospitality and helpfulness of the team, contributing significantly to a positive stay. The check-in and check-out processes are typically described as quick and efficient. Staff are often commended for going the extra mile, such as assisting with luggage storage before or after check-in and even providing birthday gifts for guests celebrating special occasions. However, there are some isolated reports of unhelpful or rude male staff, which stands in contrast to the overwhelmingly positive feedback about the female staff. A few guests also noted occasional communication or coordination issues regarding parking instructions or breakfast orders, suggesting room for improvement in internal processes.

Additional Information
A significant and frequently mentioned aspect of the hotel is its past as a former love hotel, which directly influences its unique layout and features. This history explains the unusually spacious rooms and large bathrooms, as well as the presence of steps and level changes within the rooms and sometimes transparent bath doors. While some guests find this intriguing or charming, others find the decor or layout less conventional for a standard hotel. The hotel operates with a pre-payment policy for bookings. Guests should also be aware that daily room cleaning is not automatic and must be specifically requested, with some reports of requests being missed. There are no on-site laundry facilities or a dedicated restaurant/bar, which is why breakfast is served in-room.