Hotel Review: Moxy Osaka Shin Umeda
Moxy is a playful and energetic Marriott brand designed for young adults. Upon checking in, guests are greeted with a complimentary cocktail, and the lobby usually has entertainment options like board games and arcade games. Nightly rates are generally very affordable in order to attract young audiences. During my visit to Osaka, I chose to stay at Mosy Osaka Shin Umeda; I was curious to see how the brand would be reinvented in Japan. Moxy Osaka Shin Umeda possessed undeniable characteristics that embodied the essence of the Moxy brand. It showcased quirky and charming details and set the hotel apart from other budget accommodations in the area. Here is my review of Moxy Osaka Shin Umeda:
Moxy Osaka Shin Umeda is located at 7 Chome-22-1 Fukushima, Fukushima Ward, Osaka, 553-0003, Japan.
What Card(s) Should You Use to Book?
I earn tons of Marriott Bonvoy points by using my American Express Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card. It currently offers a sign-up bonus of 150,000 Marriott Bonvoy points when you spend $5,000 within your first 3 months of card membership. The card earns 6X Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar when you book directly with Marriott, 3X points on dining and flights booked directly with airlines, and 2X on all other purchases. Paired with Marriott’s promotions and AMEX offers, it opens doors to endless points-earning opportunities.
The AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card comes with great benefits that can substantially offset its annual fee.
The AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card does come with a hefty $650 annual fee but offers tons of perks to significantly offset its costs. The card features the following benefits:
Automatic Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status
$25 monthly dining credit—$300 total in a year
$100 property credit when booked directly with Marriott and staying a minimum of two nights at Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis properties
An 85,000-point Free Night Award
Access to Priority Pass lounges
25 Elite Night Credits for chasing Marriott Bonvoy status
Even if you don’t stay at Marriott properties often, this card is still a must-have, in my opinion. It’s a true example of a keeper card that offers benefits that outweigh the annual fee.
If you’d like to apply for the AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card, please consider using my referral link. It will continue to help fund my blog operations and help visitors make informed decisions to maximize their rewards. Thank you! Click HERE to access my referral link!
If you are looking for a Marriott Bonvoy credit card with a low annual fee, consider the Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card. It currently offers a sign-up bonus of 75,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in the first six months from account opening. On top of that, you can earn additional 50,000 bonus points by staying six eligible paid nights at Marriott Bonvoy hotels through January 31, 2024—totaling 125,000 bonus points. I personally value Marriott Bonvoy points at 0.8 cents each, making the 125,000 points offer worth $1,000. The Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card earns 6X points per dollar when you book directly with Marriott, 3X points on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases every year on dining, grocery stores, and gas stations, and 2X points on all other purchases.
Be aware that 15 elite night credits from the Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card can’t be combined with 15 elite night credits from the AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card
The Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card’s annual fee is $95, and it offers useful perks to offset the cost:
Automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status, the low-tier status offered in Marriott’s member ecosystem
A 35,000-point Free Night Award
15 Elite Night Credits that will help you achieve a higher Marriott Bonvoy status
Please note that you can’t combine Elite Night Credits from two Marriott Bonvoy personal credit cards, but you can stack Elite Night Credits from one personal and one Marriott Bonvoy business card. Thus, if you own both AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant and Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless, you would only earn 25 elite night credits.
If you’d like to apply for the Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card, please consider using my referral link. It will continue to help fund my blog operations and help visitors make informed decisions to maximize their rewards. Thank you!
The last Marriott Bonvoy credit card you could use would be the AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Business card. It currently offers a sign-up bonus of 125,000 Marriott Bonvoy points when you spend $5,000 within your first 3 months of card membership. Considering that the annual membership costs $125, you get paid to have the card! The card earns 6X Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar when you book directly with Marriott, 4X points on dining, U.S. shipping purchases, U.S. wireless telephone services, and at U.S. gas stations. All other purchases earn 2X points.
The AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Business card is the only Marriott business card on the market.
The AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Business card’s annual fee is $125, and it offers valuable benefits to justify the cost:
Automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status, the low-tier status offered in Marriott’s member ecosystem
A 35,000-point Free Night Award
15 Elite Night Credits, which can be combined with 15 Elite Night Credits from other personal Marriott Bonvoy credit cards
As you can see, the card’s benefits are less substantial than the ones from the AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card, but it is a great long-term keeper card due to its annual Free Night Award perk. Furthermore, it is absolutely necessary if you want to chase a higher Marriott Bonvoy status because it is the only Marriott business card that is on the market and will grant you an additional 15 Elite Night Credits. Lastly, even though it is a business credit card, it is very likely that you could get it approved. Check out my article on how to apply for a business credit card as a sole proprietor.
If you’d like to apply for the AMEX Marriott Bonvoy Business card, please consider using my referral link. It will continue to help fund my blog operations and help visitors make informed decisions to maximize their rewards. Thank you! Click HERE to access my referral link!
Location
Moxy Osaka Shin Umeda is conveniently located in the heart of Osaka, Japan. The hotel offers easy access to popular attractions and activities such as Universal Studios Japan, Osaka Castle, Tennoji Zoo, and Namba Shopping District. It is also close to public transportation like JR Loop Line, which makes it a great choice for tourists looking for a comfortable and convenient stay in the city. The hotel offers an ideal base for exploring Osaka's many attractions, giving visitors an authentic local experience.
Lobby & Check-In Review
The lobby emanated a warm and welcoming ambiance, bathed in abundant natural light cascading through the lofty windows.
The art installation featuring the octopus was a fitting homage to Osaka, the birthplace of takoyaki.
Its expansive ceilings made the lobby appear spacious while decorating the space with numerous antiques and refurbished fixtures. The atmosphere was heavy on industrial details with hints of Scandinavian notes.
The lofty ceiling in the lobby created an environment with an airy and spacious feel.
An array of seats and tables provided guests with the perfect spaces for work, dining, entertainment, and leisurely lounging. Certain sections unmistakably evoked a coworking atmosphere, considering that Moxy rooms are typically diminutive.
Each table was equipped with electrical outlets and USB ports, allowing guests to conveniently charge their devices while they work.
Thus, utilizing the lobby as a communal gathering spot seemed like a logical choice. That’s not to say the lobby didn’t have any entertainment options.
Floor-to-ceiling windows in the communal area filled the space with warm natural light.
Among the entertainment options, including a foosball table and a regrettably broken Mario pinball machine, my favorite was the Atari Pong Table.
Unfortunately, the retro Mario pinball machine was broken, but the hotel offered other entertainment options.
It is such a classic arcade game that anyone could enjoy, and the best part was that you could play against the machine if you didn’t have anyone to play with.
The Atari Pong Table was a crowd favorite—due to its effortless gameplay accessible to players of all skill levels.
During our stay, we frequented the lobby to grab drinks and play games, and we appreciated having such a charming environment just an elevator ride away from our room. Just like any other Moxy Hotel, the front desk simultaneously served as a bar.
When staying at a Moxy hotel, guests are greeted with a delightful cocktail to kick-start their check-in experience.
The check-in process was simple, and as a Marriott Bonvoy Titanium member, I received drink vouchers for my fiancé and me.
If a cocktail or beer is not your preferred beverage, you could opt for non-alcoholic beverages like soda, coffee, or tea.
The coupon was good for one beverage of choice, including non-alcoholic options such as soda or coffee.
The bar offered various spirits, and I highly suggest indulging in Japanese whiskey or sake.
Later that night, I used the voucher and ordered Blackstone Cooler, which was made with rum, ginger ale, and bitters. It tasted exactly how I imagined it, and it was a refreshing pre-dinner treat.
While you shouldn't anticipate an elaborate cocktail, the drink was pleasantly simple and refreshing regardless of its appearance.
The check-in process was seamless, with the front desk representative providing detailed explanations of the hotel amenities. He also addressed any questions we had regarding our visit to Universal Studios Japan. After exploring the lobby, we went up to the 14th floor, where our room was located.
Bedroom Review
My bedroom was as expected from the Moxy brand—modern, stylish, and compact. The dark wood flooring added to the overall ambiance, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Like many hotel rooms in Osaka, the bedroom was relatively compact, with a queen-sized bed occupying most of the space.
Though the bedroom was modern and stylish, the limited space forced us to get creative when it came to finding a suitable place for our suitcases.
Since both my fiancé and I had large suitcases, we had to find innovative ways to maximize the limited floor area for organizing our personal belongings. The bed was handsome with a brown leather headboard, and each bedside had a slim wooden nightstand with a small storage space right below it.
The nightstand was surprisingly more comprehensive than other Moxy hotels I’d stayed previously.
On the nightstand, I spotted the Moxy brand's iconic retro rotary dial phone. To my surprise, there lay a master light switch, adding a touch of convenience. While the room itself was not large enough to necessitate a master switch, having the convenience at a budget property was still quite pleasing. Opposite the bed stood a practical wall with wooden pegs, displaying an array of foldable furniture, ingeniously maximizing the available space.
Osaka serves as the central battleground in the movie, Godzilla Raids Again.
When unfolded, these furnishings proved to be stable and fulfilled their intended purpose. However, regrettably, we rarely utilized them; it was more of a hassle to continuously fold and unfold them. A few framed art pieces were next to a wall-mounted smart TV, and I appreciated that the hotel included retro Gozilla art, as the franchise was created in Osaka. The smart TV was ready for international travelers with its streaming capabilities, and we were able to catch up on a few Netflix shows before going to sleep. The most interesting in-room amenity was the mini-fridge; it was truly the tiniest fridge I had ever encountered.
Japanese convenience stores sell delicious and affordable items, but you may not be able to keep them fresh in your room due to the fridge’s tiny profile.
The container had ample space to accommodate three 500 ml bottles. However, due to its limited capacity, we could not store all the perishable snacks we bought from the convenience store. It was a bummer, but at least the fridge functioned well. There was only one window in the entire room, and it offered a typical cityscape view of Osaka.
Though not breathtaking, the view from the sole bedroom window offered a taste of Osaka's vibrant cityscape.
The bedroom, while compact, is thoughtfully outfitted with everything budget travelers need. By setting your expectations accordingly, you'll come to appreciate the charming design and functionality of the space.
Bathroom Review
Despite the limited space, the hotel managed to fit everything into the small bathroom. However, it was evident that there was a lack of sufficient room, as the placement of the toilet wasn't exactly ideal.
Even though Moxy Osaka Shin Umeda is a budget-friendly hotel, guests could expect a high-tech toilet with a bidet.
While it did come with a bidet, I would have preferred a different layout that would have been more accommodating. The bathroom featured a single-sink vanity, along with its monochromatic interior.
The bathroom had a compact layout, featuring industrial interior design elements complemented by Moxy's iconic hot pink accents.
I couldn't help but notice the fun Moxy touches scattered throughout the space, from the playful pink hairdryer to the charming paper glass covers.
These little details serve as a fun reminder to guests that they are experiencing the youthful ambiance of a Moxy hotel.
Due to the limited space in the bathroom, there was insufficient room for an iron and ironing board. As a substitute, the hotel thoughtfully provided a handheld steamer as an alternative. The remaining portion of the bathroom was dedicated to a walk-in shower, complete with a classic showerhead with a sleek black finish and an additional handheld option for added convenience.
The toiletries were undoubtedly “Moxy,” standing out with their distinct signature hot pink colorway.
Although the showerhead itself was standard, its elevated positioning ensured a satisfying showering experience. In addition, the shower had a glass door, preventing water splatters while keeping the temperature warm and steamy. The toiletries were typical hot pink Moxy toiletries in communal bottles. The hair product was a 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner, which was expected from the Moxy brand. All in all, the bathroom was a pleasant surprise and offered me an insight into the brand’s commitment to fun, unique details. While the layout of the appliances could’ve been improved, considering this was an economy hotel, I didn’t have anything to complain about.
Gym Review
The gym was on the second floor and open 24/7 daily. Even though the gym was small, I was very impressed with the overall facility; it featured a TechnoGym treadmill and elliptical facing the back streets of Osaka.
Although the gym was compact and had a limited selection of equipment, the few pieces available were all new and well-maintained.
Instead of a cycling machine, an actual cycling bike was mounted on a stand. A cool English bulldog statue added a layer of funkiness to the atmosphere, its chrome body reminding me of the W Hotel Osaka.
The gym at Moxy Times Square NYC featured a a similar cycling bike arrangement.
In terms of lifting equipment, the gym had an adjustable bench and dumbbells, but it would’ve been considerate to have an all-in-one strength machine to provide exercise options to guests without sacrificing space.
I absolutely loved the motivational phrases that adorned the mirrored walls of the fitness center.
Interestingly, the gym had a punching bag and a core exerciser. These were certainly not essential equipment for regular gyms; while I admired the hotel’s effort to stay eccentric, I would’ve preferred them to invest in other strength machines that would cater to the majority of guests.
I would have preferred if the hotel had equipped the gym with a comprehensive workout machine instead of a punching bag.
The fitness center was bright and welcoming with new TechnoGym equipment, and the brand’s quirky details showed through its rather unconventional selection of workout gear for guests.
Breakfast Review
Breakfast was served on the first floor daily from 6:30 AM to 10:30 AM. It was a traditional Japanese breakfast buffet, and with plenty of seats and tables, we could enjoy our morning in peace.
There were ample seating arrangements available, making it effortless to locate an unoccupied table.
To cater to its diverse audience, the buffet showcased classic American dishes such as scrambled eggs, sausage, and hash browns.
Although American breakfast options were available, I found myself favoring the Japanese dishes much more.
Furthermore, a modest bread station was available, offering guests the choice between white and wheat toast, allowing them to assemble simple toasts like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. While I enjoy typical American breakfast dishes, the highlight was the build-your-own ochazuke—a savory Japanese breakfast dish that involves rice, pickled toppings, and warm dashi broth.
Guests could dress up their Ochazuke with various toppings like pickled plums, seaweed, puffy rice bits, and pickled radish.
The hotel used fish broth (it is not fishy by any means), and various toppings like pickled radish, pickled plums, seaweed, arare (puffy rice bits), and sesame seeds were available. For those intimidated, the hotel thoughtfully provided a quick how-to guide so that guests could easily build a perfect bowl of ochazuke with simple instructions. I put together a delightful side salad from the DIY salad bar to create a balanced breakfast.
The salad bar was full of fresh vegetables, complemented by hearty toppings such as edamame and softly boiled eggs.
Opting for the vibrant and zesty green perilla leaf dressing, I enjoyed its lightness compared to conventional dressings. It added a refreshing touch without overwhelming the dish. Then, I prepared a bowl of miso soup at another DIY station, which presented a variety of toppings like fried tofu, dried seaweed, and green onions.
The breakfast buffet was full of DIY serving stations, but it was easily navigable even when you are unfamiliar with the setup.
I added a spoonful of each to my bowl and poured in the miso soup, perfectly bringing those dried ingredients to life. I may be biased here, but ochazuke is one of my favorite Japanese breakfast dishes, and it was the perfect way to start my morning. The warm broth was perfect for the winter and was such a comforting dish.
I had a satisfying breakfast platter at Moxy Osaka Shin Umeda, comprised of delectable traditional Japanese breakfast dishes.
For dessert, the hotel offered mini donuts, and I sampled a strawberry frosted donut with a cup of green tea latte, made using an espresso machine.
The chocolate hazelnut donuts were filled with a luscious Nutella filling inside.
As expected from a Moxy Hotel, everything was do-it-yourself, and there was no server. However, as a foreigner visiting Japan, I actually appreciated the opportunity to assemble my own Japanese breakfast and experience the culture firsthand.
If you don’t have time to enjoy your morning cup of joe, you could take one to go in a disposable cup.
Even though it is considered an economy hotel, I was pleasantly surprised by the freshness of all the ingredients. It made me realize that a budget-friendly breakfast can still be of high quality, which is unfortunately not commonly found at domestic Moxy Hotels.
Positives & Negatives
Positives
The lobby at Moxy Osaka Shin Umeda was full of natural lighting and quirky details that truly embodied the Moxy brand. With casual lounge chairs and gorgeous coworking setups, the lobby served as an inclusive gathering place for people to enjoy drinks or catch up on emails. The “Play” mentality of the Moxy brand was evident in the entertainment options, such as Mario pinball machine and Atari PONG arcade game, and I appreciated that the hotel seamlessly blended in Japanese culture with the overall lodging experience.
The breakfast buffet was made of various DIY stations, with a special emphasis on traditional Japanese breakfast. You can build your own ochazuke bowl, which is a very common breakfast option for Japanese people. You could also make your own miso soup and a simple salad bowl with a tangy Japanese salad dressing. The breakfast at Moxy Osaka Shin Umeda showed that a budget-friendly brand can deliver healthy and well-rounded meals for guests.
Negatives
As anticipated when staying at Moxy Hotels, the only drawback was the compact size of the room. It didn't come as a surprise, but it did pose a few challenges when traveling with a companion and two large suitcases. The mini-fridge was the smallest one I had ever encountered, and there was minimal room in the bathroom. While these can be somewhat stressful for some, as long as you understand the Moxy brand in general, staying at Moxy Osaka Shin Umeda would be a good opportunity to embrace its tiny but mighty rooms.
Summary
It can be said that the Moxy Osaka Shin Umeda is a good example of how a budget-friendly hotel brand can combine quirky and modern elements to create a unique atmosphere. Although the rooms may be small and not as spacious as some travelers prefer, they align with the brand's dedication to offering powerful experiences that transcend physical size. Rather than focusing on size, the brand embraces its commitment and concept of creating fun and memorable moments that leave a lasting impression. The hotel featured an amazing lobby area—full of natural light and interesting décor pieces to explore—as well as an excellent breakfast buffet, catered to diverse palates, encompassing both Japanese-inspired delights and Western cuisine. For a unique and enjoyable accommodation experience that is also budget-friendly, I recommend considering Moxy Osaka Shin Umeda. Have you stayed at Moxy Hotels before? What was your experience?
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