Sotetsu Fresa Inn Kobe Sannomiya

Quite clean, and the room isn't small. Check-in and check-out are handled by machines, which is very convenient. The duvet is a bit thin, and the air conditioning isn't warm enough. The location is great for getting around, with tons of dining options nearby.

This is a very standard 'fresa' (love hotel), with identical amenities. The hygiene was pretty good, but I did find a hair in the bathtub, which was likely an oversight by staff. Amenities were plentiful, but for some reason, you have to ask the front desk for bath salts – it feels like there's a story behind that. Right outside the hotel, there are all sorts of restaurants, a convenience store, and a MINT. A less than five-minute walk to the right will take you to the JR station, so it's quite convenient overall. From Kansai Airport, you can take a direct bus that drops you off at Hankyu Department Store, and the hotel is about a seven or eight-minute walk from there. I forgot to take pictures of the hotel, so I've just included a couple of Kobe street scenes.

Location: For traveling to and from Osaka Airport, you can take the airport bus from Kansai Airport directly to Sannomiya Station, which is about a 5-6 minute walk from the hotel. There's a new building under construction nearby, so it can be a bit noisy during the day, and some roads might be detoured. Dining: There's a 7-Eleven just 10 meters downstairs, and easily over 100 restaurants and bars around the hotel. You'll find food options all along the JR line. Shopping Area: It's actually more than a 5-minute walk to the main shopping streets and the busiest commercial area in Sannomiya. If proximity is a priority for you, there are closer options available. Room: The 1.6-meter bed is definitely fine for two people, but a 24-inch suitcase can only be opened in the bathroom or the hallway connected to the main entrance, making it very cramped. Cleanliness: Very clean. You can pick up toiletries like lotions and makeup remover on the 1st floor. Check-in is strictly after 3 PM, and check-out is at 11 AM.

The hotel's location is great. There's an Aeon supermarket nearby, and their sashimi on B1 is amazing. Sannomiya Niku Gekijo (meat theater) is right next door. Plus, the bus stop for the #18 bus to Mount Maya and Mount Rokko is very close to the hotel.