A different side of Osaka
The Japanese ethic of making everything nice and beautiful extends to all things.
VISITORS are spoilt for choice when it comes to accommodation options around Osaka. There are easily hundreds, and thousands if we count all the smaller inns, of hotels big and small, in this city located in the western part of Japan.
However, staying close to an industrial zone is something not many travellers would attempt, but this was what I did recently as I am convinced that the Japanese ethic of making everything nice and beautiful extends to all things.
And I was not surprised when I checked into Agora Regency Sakai, located in Sakai City, about 14km away (several train stops) from Osaka’s Namba shopping hub.
Getting to the hotel is easy to begin with, as there is a train station (Sakai station) right in front of the hotel. Just take the Airport Express train from the airport and one would be at the Sakai station in 37 minutes for ¥830 (RM33) per person. There is another faster Limited Express train that costs ¥500 (RM20) more.
The Agora Regency Sakai is no spanking new hotel, as the structure was completed in 1993 and opened as Rihga Royal Hotel Sakai.
In 2012, the Agora Hospitality group took over the hotel and rebranded it as Agora Regency Sakai, which just celebrated its fourth anniversary under the new manage- ment in October.
Recent enhancements to the hotel include refurbishing the chapel and garden terrace, projects that increased the hotel’s appeal to wedding banquet business.
The executive floor rooms (levels 23 and 24) are spacious enough, and are perfect for both rest and work. Executive floor guests have access to the executive lounge that serves snacks and beverages the whole day long, though sadly, the last order is around 7.30pm (lounge closes at 8pm).
The view from the lounge is astounding enough, as it affords a grand vista of Osaka Bay, along with the industries that support Sakai City, such as petrochemicals, textiles and so on.
As far as the room is concerned, the queen bed is comfortable, and all the usual amenities for the business traveller are provided, including a Nespresso machine in the room. The lighting is also bright enough so as not to be sleep-inducing.
Other than the executive lounge, each of the executive floor rooms also has a fridge that is restocked daily with complimentary snacks and drinks, including some Japanese beer.
Those into health and fitness should visit the health club, which houses the gym, pool, jacuzzi and sauna.
The gym comes with a 50m long circular rubberised running track, so those who want to indulge in a spot of indoor running can do so without too much impact to their knees or joints. This running track encircles a host of exercise machines ranging from treadmills to cycling machines, and together with weights, should be adequate to keep most fitness buffs happy. Those who want to stretch their limbs will also find it easy to do so as the gym comes with a wall-mounted gymnastics rack.
The 25m-long indoor swimming pool with four lanes is also worthy of mention, as it allows swimming in all kinds of weather conditions. Just a stone’s throw away is a basic-looking sauna, as well as a jacuzzi next to it. Massage services here, which take place in basic treatment rooms, need to be prebooked as the therapists are freelancers who provide finger-pressure massage, foot pressure point massage, acupuncture, and aroma oil massage.
Save for executive floor guests, with room rates starting from RM1,000 a night for a double room, use of the health club is not complimentary. Admission that allows the use of the gym, pool, spa and sauna costs ¥4,320 (RM170) per person, while the option without gym costs ¥2,700 yen (RM106).
Breakfast at Agora Regency is pleasant enough, and other than the typical European fare, there is a rather decent Japanese breakfast buffet that has dishes such as miso soup, congee, and of course, rice. However, the best dining option is the teppanyaki section of the hotel’s Naniwa Restaurant.
There is nothing showy about the cooking ritual – no egg-spinning or meat-flipping tricks like what some teppanyaki outlets do to keep diners amused. Instead, what you get is pure Japanese pride in cooking choice cuts of meats and fresh vegetables for diners, who can also feast on the lovely outdoor view as Naniwa is located just a floor below the executive club lounge.
Do expect to shell out around RM400 per person (blame the weak ringgit) for a satisfying meal (without alcohol), but when it comes to teppanyaki being done right, this is not ultra exorbitant. The meat that was cooked medium-rare came out juicy and tender, and even the vegetables tasted crunchy and sweet when eaten right off the hot plate.
Overall, this hotel strikes the right balance between location, accessibility, as well as the level of creature comforts. And these alone are reasons why a stay at Sakai is definitely something to be considered, whether for business or leisure.
Agora Regency Sakai 4-45-1 Ebisujima-cho, Sakai-ku, Sakai-Shi, Osaka 590-0985 Japan Tel : +81-72-224-1121 Email: info@agoraregencysakai.com www.agoraregency-sakai.com