voco Osaka Central

What is your IHG One Rewards status?
Diamond Inner Circle Royal Ambassador

Were you happy with the hotel/stay?
Not too bad

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
Booked 2 Twin Bed Grand Terrace Room, this room is the highest category room in this hotel

How are the rooms?
37sqm stylish design room. Located on the 5th floor with about 15 sqm open-air terrace. Nespresso, 49 inch SONY LCD Android TV, SHARP Plasma Cluster Air purifier and USB-C power outlet. Bathroom has proper bathtub. Shower is hand shower only.

Video of 2 Twin Bed Grand Terrace Room:

How is the Club Lounge?
This hotel doesn’t have the Club Lounge.

How was the mini-bar?
Refrigerator is empty. Only Nespresso, Ronnefeldt teas, Herders chocolate drink, one liter bottle of mineral water, and Japanese sweet snack.

What was your welcome gift?
Just standard choice from IHG One Rewards welcome gifts.

Did you receive fruit in the room?
None

What was good and what was bad?
Good
++++++++++ Room
+++++ Serene atmosphere
+++++ Next to Yoshinoya Beef bowl restaurant
+++++ F&B products are relatively reasonable price.

Bad
－－－－－ Very limited in-room amenities (only toothbrushes and comb)
－－－－－ Small fitness Centre.
－－－－－ No Bluetooth Audio
－－－－－ View is relatively not attractive compared to other hotels in Osaka



Value for $ or One Rewards Points? Would you return?
Yes, Many parts like WiFi and Air Conditioner are improved.

By the way, voco is a very difficult brand for me. I have not yet found out what kind of guests this hotel brand is targeting. It's a very beautiful hotel, everything is well above market standard, but there's no killer content. Especially in Osaka, there is the ANA Crown Plaza and RIHGA Royal Hotel, less than 10 minutes walk from here and in a similar price range to voco. Both have some flaws, but they have killer content like lots of attractive restaurant outlets, fitness + pool facilities and club lounge. In such a situation, I tend to choose ANA Crown Plaza, RIHGA Royal Hotel or Holiday Inn Express (as a cheaper choice).

In fact, this is the first time I have stayed at this hotel in a year, since it opened, and I feel the dilemma of not disliking the hotel, but not being able to visit it. For me, a hotel is not just a place to sleep, so I feel strongly that IHG should add something more to this hotel brand to give it an identity.