Hi blitzen,

The Hilton being close to Osaka/Umeda station ( the JR loop line is probably useful) and several metro lines as well as being close to the Osaka Station city and the Hilton Plaza shops and close to the airport limosine bus stop at Herbis is probably slightly better located than the Conrad.

The Conrad ( part of the Festival City complex ) is above the Watanabebashi train line ( probably of limited use to tourists) and on top of an underground passageway to Higobashi station on the blue Yotsubashi line ( one stop to Nishi umeda for a walkway to the Herbis and Osaka station). Coming from the Higobashi station the exit is no 4 IIRC but the conrad osaka shows up on the direction boards and a few stops to Namba station for the Dotonbori river and nightlifge ( lots of neon and restaurants wiith the glico (sp?) Osaka running man sign)

We found that we took the Yotsubashi line south then changed lines to many destinations ( a little walk between lines ie200-300m but not too bad). A taxi from Osaka station was less than Y700 and was about the same to the Herbis airport limosine stop. coming from Tokyo we used the luggage delivery service and could have walked or used the subway but my mother was feeling a little tired so we just used the taxi. With carry on only you could use the subway up to Nishi umeda for the limosine bus but with suitcases and the cheap taxi fare it is a lot less hastle for the taxi.

The area immediately around the conrad is less commercial ( as the floors below 33 ( conrad starts on 33-40 with the lobby on 40) are offices but there is a small shopping area with convenience stores etc at B1 level.( the level below the street entrance to the Conrad.

There is a river on both sides of the Conrad with a walkway with lots of greenery and small modern art pieces which make it a nice walk) and there is an art museum on the 4th floor of the conrad tower ( did not go in)

The Conrad location is not bad at all.

However stepping out onto the 40th floor lobby with the floor to ceiling windows and the art scultpures gives an immediate wow! factor ( better than the city view at Conrad tokyo alothough the bay views at Conrad tokyo are excellent too). As a diamond I got a panoramic view corner room and from the bedroom and bathroom you had magnificent Osaka city views with hundreds of twinkling red lights at night which was beautiful whilst showering. Equally good views from the lounge and gym.

Whilst I would probably not pay 2x the hilton price for the conrad ( esp if you are going to be out all day and night) if you plan on coming back to the hotel during the day and can put up with the location and fewer shops ( but major shopping malls are just 1 stop away on the metro) the Conrad is excellent ( I paid around Y 35000 for the Conrad whilst the Hilton was Y27000 in April so the Conrad price was very good

Regards

TBS