We arrive at 4:00 PM (ORD-KIX) and leave the next day at 10:00 AM. Need two rooms and the Nikko seems pricey compared to the Ramada, where I can get rooms for $100 each. But the Ramada shuttle service isn't very convenient in the PM; if we miss the 5:00 PM (which I suspect we will), we have to wait until 6:45. What would a 5 mile trip to Ramada cost in a taxi? I'm thinking maybe the convenience of the Nikko justifies spending the extra $$?

Are there other cheap options you can recommend? I've done some searching but never having been to KIX it's hard to figure out what hotels to consider in what locations. Having some decent dining options within walking distance of hotel is also highly desireable (which you clearly get with the Nikko at KIX).

We are stopping over in KIX on the way back so no interest in going into Osaka for the evening.

Thanks!

I believe there is a shuttle bus(free?) to the Ramada........you would also be closer to the outlet mall and they have a few more dining options there. I have stayed once at the Nikko KIX and really wasn't impressed!

There is a Holiday Inn-Kansai International that is reasonable and has a shuttle bus every hour. Check the Holiday Inn website or Expedia. It is nothing special, but has clean rooms and a degree of comfort for an overnight. It has a restaurant, but there are also some local places in walking distance. I used it once on my first visit to Kyoto, before I realized that I could catch the train and be in Kyoto almost as quickly as the shuttle bus got me to the HI. As I recall, from several years ago, the shuttle runs on the hour from the outside hotel bus stop.

JR

On another thread,
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=393151

Yasuki recommended the following:
http://web.mytrip.net/portal/my/info_page_e.Eng?f_no=222&f_ptn1=kaigai /

It has a shuttle bus - but it also appears to be close to Izumi Sano station, which is a very short train journey from KIX. (And the trains are frequent). Maybe worth looking into -

We arrive at 4:00 PM (ORD-KIX) and leave the next day at 10:00 AM. Need two rooms and the Nikko seems pricey compared to the Ramada, where I can get rooms for $100 each. But the Ramada shuttle service isn't very convenient in the PM; if we miss the 5:00 PM (which I suspect we will), we have to wait until 6:45. What would a 5 mile trip to Ramada cost in a taxi? I'm thinking maybe the convenience of the Nikko justifies spending the extra $$?

Are there other cheap options you can recommend? I've done some searching but never having been to KIX it's hard to figure out what hotels to consider in what locations. Having some decent dining options within walking distance of hotel is also highly desireable (which you clearly get with the Nikko at KIX).

We are stopping over in KIX on the way back so no interest in going into Osaka for the evening.

Thanks!

The Ramada is fine. We missed the 5:00 shuttle and had to wait as well. You may actually make it. We were outside through customs and luggage in about 45 minutes. You send one of your party out after customs if it is close and they might wait for you. Otherwise it is about $30 for a cab. Depending on your flight and status, you may want to catch the shuttle earlier, at least 2 hours (when you leave the next morning). The breakfast is pretty good, and there is a convienience store about a block from the hotel, along with some limited dining options. More importantly, they have the large Kirin cans in the machine for only 350 yen right at the elevator on your floor!!! :D

Be aware: If you are traveling with kids, the TV turns on to porn, so you need to get to it first!!! They only get the BBC and CNN international in english. Of course porn is universal...

Be aware: If you are traveling with kids, the TV turns on to porn, so you need to get to it first!!! They only get the BBC and CNN international in english. Of course porn is universal...

Porn in Japan? :eek: ;) .......

Porn in Japan? :eek: ;) .......

And the TV gets turned on apparently... :D

There is a Holiday Inn-Kansai International that is reasonable and has a shuttle bus every hour.

I can't find this on their site. Search for Osaka turns up three properties, one each in Kobe, Kyoto, and Nagano. When did you stay there?

I can't find this on their site. Search for Osaka turns up three properties, one each in Kobe, Kyoto, and Nagano. When did you stay there?

Dang! You're right. They must have sold it. They do that in Japan a lot. I was there in early 2002.

I found some business hotels near KIX, with shuttle service, but nothing that beats the Ramada. In case you are interested, here is a link:

http://www.japanhotel.net/data/pref/Hotel_list.asp?Prefecture=OSAKA&Area=KANSAI

JR

I found some business hotels near KIX, with shuttle service, but nothing that beats the Ramada.

Thanks for the link. I'll look around a bit more. I've booked two rooms at the Ramada, but I'm still considering the Nikko for the convenience. The thought of just walking through the terminal after the 13:30 flight inbound is very appealing. And while 10:00 AM departure is not really early, not worrying about shuttle schedules is also a big positive.

Can't seem to price rooms on the Nikko site beyond May (we're traveling in July). They have a rolling tier pricing structure and if I book early enough prices look competitive. Is this common with Japanese hotels?

Can't seem to price rooms on the Nikko site beyond May (we're traveling in July). They have a rolling tier pricing structure and if I book early enough prices look competitive. Is this common with Japanese hotels?

It is common for them to change rates on a seasonal basis, but I've never had them not accept a reservation 6 months out. It looks like you could get it booked via Expedia, but then you are dealing with Expedia. :rolleyes: Maybe one of the other guys has an idea.

On another note. You are traveling in Japan in JULY? Yikes. Have you been there before and know what you are getting into? July will be extremely hot, humid and very unpleasant to be outdoors. There have been several past threads about the summer season. I'll try to find one. July is not the recommended travel season, although it does have its high points.

JR

It is common for them to change rates on a seasonal basis, but I've never had them not accept a reservation 6 months out. It looks like you could get it booked via Expedia, but then you are dealing with Expedia. :rolleyes: Maybe one of the other guys has an idea.

On another note. You are traveling in Japan in JULY? Yikes. Have you been there before and know what you are getting into? July will be extremely hot, humid and very unpleasant to be outdoors. There have been several past threads about the summer season. I'll try to find one. July is not the recommended travel season, although it does have its high points.

JR

JR

You West Coast guys are such weenies when it comes to humidity, aren't you? :D

Yes, I know about Japan in July, as well as Beijing where we are also going. I live in the southeastern USA, so we're used to heat and humidity. And our trip is mostly driven by our schedules, our son's school schedule in particular.

Our son is graduating from high school and has been studying Mandarin for two years at UNC, so he's eager to use his Chinese (he's been to Shanghai).

I started a thread in the Asia forum about weather in China. I know it's not ideal there or in Japan, but then we don't really have other options and I want to encourage our son's increasing ability in Manadrin.

Life is always a trade off, isn't it. :)

JR

You West Coast guys are such weenies when it comes to humidity, aren't you? :D

I ain't no coastie! Central Valley, where when it is 108 we can at least say "yes, but it is a DRY heat." :D

Sounds like you have the bases covered and July is your time. Depending on when you will be there, there are several festivals around the country. The huge Gion Matsuri in Kyoto is in mid-July. Our regular poster Lap Lap attended that one last year and might have some advice. The Kobe summer festival is in mid-July and, of course, Obon is all over the country from mid-July on.

JR

And the TV gets turned on apparently... :D

Well, the Japanese version of it anyway. Sort of like Japanese wrestling.

One of the best festivals in Japan in July is the Hakata Gion Yamagasa. Quite amazing!

Porn in Japan? :eek: ;) .......

Japan is THE country which takes adult entertainment seriously. :cool:

Porn on TV is absolutely the last convenience that any Japanese hotel would consider doing without. Capsule hotels do not have doors in rooms, but there is a telly and there are adult films there.

Japan is THE country which takes adult entertainment seriously. :cool:

Porn on TV is absolutely the last convenience that any Japanese hotel would consider doing without. Capsule hotels do not have doors in rooms, but there is a telly and there are adult films there.
I am shocked , who would have ever thunk it? ;)