Booked the hotel thru Agora, the price came out for 172$ canadian a night.. pretty expensive if I am comparing to a similar type of hotel in Tokyo...

My bf already booked 4 nights on his own.. since we decided to not spend night in Kyoto, so I rebook for 2 extra nights...

The location is convinient, since it was close to Namba station.. but then the Hotel was very hard to located, it was like hidden in a corner somewhere behind a private parking.. we arrived in Osaka by plane at 7pm.. but with all the traveling to Namba from train.. we arrived at like 9 or 10pm... I was discouraged....freezing (the subway halls in Japan are not even heated!) and tired with all the luggages... we finally found the hotel... checkin.. and then once in the hall way of our room.. it stink heavy cigarette smoke... I started to have really bad feeling about it.... and then once we openned the door of our room.. IT STINKED like an old astray.. the wall.. the bed.. the bathroom.. and the curtains! I felt very nauseous right away... so we went down the hobby to ask for another room.. they said it is no use to change room cuz all the room in the hotel r smoking rooms ONLY! That was a total turn off.. in the freaking booking site, there were no mention about being a smoking rooms only hotel or something.. they just give us a smoke neutralizer and told us to spray the room...

it was total useless.. it smelled horrible.. I couldnt imagine myself sleeping in this room... so BF dragged me to a nearby pharmacy and found some sort of thing u plug to make a room smell good.. we got the one which is good for smokers room...

although it smelled better.. but the walls (it was wall paper) and the curtains.. and the chairs and bed already had the smoke soaked in them ..

so for all travellers like us who r allergic to smokes .. tears and getting nauseous... IL Cuore is not recommended at all.

My husband and I stayed at the hotel Il Cuore Namba in early November 2008 for three nights.

We were arriving from Tokyo via bullet train to Shin-Osaka and then caught the train further to Namba and took the number 5 exit to reach the hotel.

The hotel has a modern lobby feel, with a lounge area with two internet computers and free coffee after 10am.

We had brought our laptop and borrowed a cable from the front desk, but found we caught two virus' as soon as we connected. So if you are going to use your own computer be sure to update your virus protection.

We had tried the hotel breakfast at a cost of 1000 yen each, which we stocked up on for that day's exploring. Breakfast was minimal however the value was great.

There is a vending machine on the floor, however the beer was slightly more than the cost at the FamilyMart next door, so we often bought items and stored them in the room fridge.

The location can't be beat though - for exploring Namba and traveling around the Osaka region, the train station is only a 5 minute walk.
There are so many great resturants in the main area that dinner was easy.

One great day we experienced was down by the Bay area via the Chuo line to Osakako Station for the Osaka Aquarium (2000 yen each admission). There is a huge ferris wheel and great entertainment.

Check-out the Floating Garden Observatory in Umeda (Midosuji Line) it's 140meters high and a fantastic view of the Kita area.

The Osaka Castle area is wonderful, also very easy from the Chuo line getting off at Morinomiya Station.

To get to Kansai airport was easy, we pre purchased tickets for the train at the Namba station and caught the train directly to the aiport, cost was approx. 870 yen each.

If you are after value for money then this hotel is for you, It's in a great location. The rooms are clean and neat, nothing to rave about but great for the tourist who doesn't spend alot of time there.

We arrived at Nankai Namba Station at about 10.30 at night. The station has a myriad of exits, so locating the Il Cuore at night using the map provided on the hotel website was somewhat difficult, particularly since it is around the corner from the station, so not visible even when you take the right exit. Look for the National Panasonic building (large sign on top of building), Il Cuore is on opposite side of the street. Just keep walking away from the station towards this building and the hotel will be on your left.

The reception area has a slick minimalist appearance. There were plenty of staff manning the desk at all hours, so we never had to wait for service. And they spoke enough English to answer all our enquires and needs. The hotel safes are located opposite the reception desk - quite easy to use with the help of hotel staff. Things can only be left in there during the day.

There is a guest lounge on the ground floor with free coffee all day. For those that don't travel with a laptop there are 2 computers in the lounge with free internet, and one great advantage is that they are connected to a printer. So by purchasing paper at reception for 10 yen per sheet you can print from either of those computers. (Don't plan on printing too many pages unless you have lots of time to spare - its a bit slow - but saved our trip since we forgot to bring our itinerary for a 3 1/2 week trip!) Ether net cables are available at reception for those wanting to hook up to the net from your room.

The rooms are clean and neat; compact, but not too small. Don't expect any luxuries as it is a business hotel - but beds are comfortable - the pillows were a little on the slim side. The bathroom was compact, but supplied all the necessary items and was perfectly fine for our purposes. We were on an upper floor so had views across Osaka.

There are vending machines located on various floors where you can get soft drinks and beer. There is also a convenience store a few doors down the street which is really handy.

We stayed 2 nights and would definitely stay here again. If you're wanting to be close to the Namba district, close to trains & subway and are on a budget - its a great choice.

I have stayed at the Il Cuore several times over the last couple of years on both business and pleasure trips. The hotel has been renovated within the last 5 years so it has a very modern and clean look both in the lobby and the exterior. This is just for exterior effect though. The rooms themselves are small and not particularly comfortable - just basic and to the point, and clean. I have stayed in several different rooms and have found all of them to not have the same detail and up to date renovation as the rest of the hotel. The bathrooms always disappoint me, being very small and very "plastic" with ineffective ventilation. The location is excellent allowing fast access to the trains and it is an easy walk to all of the entertainment areas of Namba. The staff is always friendly and professional. For the price, it is difficult to ask for more, and is satisfactory. There is nothing here to "wow" you, but then it is a business hotel, and you get what you pay for. If budget is a concern than I have no problem recommending this hotel. If you want some luxuries, you should look elsewhere or you will be disappointed.