Japan can be super expensive, but not if you stay at this smart hotel

IHG chose foodie favourite Osaka as the first city in Japan to open a Holiday Inn Express. The former B Osaka Midosuji hotel became Holiday Inn Express Osaka City Centre Midosuji in December 2021. Six months later, it underwent a full refurbishment to reflect the brand's fun and bright aesthetic.

Tokyo and Kyoto currently claim the lion's share of tourism visitors to Japan, but you'll soon be hearing a lot more about Osaka. It's a foodie capital beloved by hungry explorers, plus there's onsen action, Universal Studios and one of the most famous historic castles in Japan. Holiday Inn Express is ideally located on Midosuji, Osaka's main artery. It's conveniently within a few minutes' walk of metro stations, upscale shopping, nightlife and incredible food. Seriously, ditch the diet for a few days.

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Simple, smart, safe and spotlessly clean, this is a city hotel for leisure and business travellers who want good value and amenities without sacrificing comfort. Entry from street level is via an elevator up to the lobby, where a communal lounge is outfitted with comfy seating, with wine and snacks for sale. I'm impressed by the emphasis on practical conveniences; for example, there's a 24-hour gym and a self-service laundry for guest use, which comes in very handy after a week on the road. Why can't more hotels offer this?

There are 306 rooms over 21 floors in a modern high-rise building. My suggestion is to request a corner room with two large windows. It makes the space (ranging from 17 to 20 square metres) feel much bigger. There's no bathtub, which is unusual for a Japanese hotel, but there is a spa-like power shower. It's great, when I finally figure out how to turn it on. User-error, no doubt. Complimentary Wi-Fi, tea and coffee, fridge, kettle and plenty of USB ports tick all the right boxes. The best part of the room? The bed. It's sublime, the most comfortable night's sleep I have in three weeks of travelling around Asia. I will happily sacrifice many luxuries, but good sleep is essential.

Every guest enjoys breakfast on the house, a great start to the day. Options include Japanese favourites (miso soup, for example), Western foods (pastries and savoury toast) and universal crowd-pleasers like fresh fruit and coffee. For travellers on the move or late-risers, there's the Grab & Go option. Dietary requirements are catered for with respect and consideration. For lunch and dinner, you'll want to eat outside of the hotel. With hundreds of mouthwatering restaurants in the vicinity, it's no chore. Don't miss the two Osaka specialities, takoyaki octopus balls and kushikatsu, deep-fried skewers of meat, seafood and vegetables.

Osaka's most popular districts for dining, shopping and entertainment are within a short walk of the hotel. In Namba, check out Dotonbori's bright lights, neon billboards and local izakaya restaurants. Luxury shopping malls and boutiques line Midosuji avenue. For more budget-conscious shoppers, there's Don Quixote (nicknamed Donki), a discount store chain. Nearby, the 16th-century Osaka Castle is one of the most well-preserved historic landmarks in Japan. Hundreds of cherry blossom trees populate the surrounding park.

The city views from my 19th-floor corner room are mesmerising, especially late at night, watching the movement on the street.

Where: Holiday Inn Express Osaka City Centre Midosuji; 4-1-12 Kitakyuhojimachi, Osaka, Japan

How much: From $168 per room per night

Explore more: ihg.com

The writer was a guest of IHG.