Hankyu Hanshin Properties in Kobe

Stayed here 2 days before my Kobe cruise and it was good enough to rebook for another 3 days after we returned. The hotel is quiet new and located on top of the sannomiya station, giving underground access to most trains and shopping malls nearby. It's basically the center of Kobe. Exits are 1st floor to the street and 2nd floor to station. Reception is 17th floor. Rooms are slightly bigger than most hotels in Japan. Even number room gives you the larger massage machine but room is smaller than odd numbered rooms. These have a smaller massage chair but bigger space and faces the port terminal if you have a cruise ship waiting. They provide amenities, coffee and tea at 17th floor. Did not try the breakfast but there is a convenient store on 2nd floor of the station, near the hotel exit - lots if sandwiches and snacks here. There're hundreds of restaurants and malls underground and you'll get lost most of the time so look for entrance A1 and A2 to get back. Airport bus from kansai stops 200m away and bus to the airport departs 100m from the station. Most of the highest rated restaurants are not more than 400m from the hotel. I'll definitely stay here again.

This stay was in a Japanese-style room. The layout was conventional, not very spacious, and a bit dated, but the cleanliness was good. The hotel's two elevators are quite small, leading to long waits during peak hours, which is inefficient. Both breakfast and dinner were delicious and noteworthy. The bathhouse is divided into public and guest-only sections: the public bath on the 2nd-3rd floors doesn't provide towels but has lockers; the guest-only bath on the GF floor offers hand towels but no lockers, so it's advisable not to bring valuables. Overall, the experience was decent. The hotel's hillside location makes walking a bit inconvenient, but they offer a shuttle service to the station! You can call the front desk to book it!