Okies, way way way delayed but finally getting a post put on here about my stay in April.

Arrived here for a two-night stay with my two friends from Hiroshima. Got off at Shin-Osaka station, then it was a transfer onto the subway and another 1-km walk or so from Osaka station. You walk past an enormous shopping mall to a large construction site but the building is tall and serves as a beacon of sort to guide you there. Arrived around 12:30 PM and the room was ready about 30 minutes later. Staff grasp of English was satisfactory. The decor of the hotel... it's hard to describe. It's... not modern by a longshot and outdated. But not the sort of outdated that makes one wretch and gag, from the tan and brown colour palates to the carpet and furniture patterns. A celebration of the late 1970s as interpreted by the late 2000s/early 2010s?

But anyway... I did get upgraded to a larger room with an extra bed and lounge access, but the room still felt a bit cramped and cluttered especially compared with the Hilton Hiroshima where we came from the past day. Maybe it was all the furniture that was in the room. The suites did not seem worth it (small room layout and smaller beds vs the non-suite rooms) and I didn't want to chance it with my SNAs. Bed comfort was okay but didn't feel plush. The control panel next to the bed to control things like lights and blinds was a buttonfest.

Unlike the Hilton, I did get a chance to go to the lounge upstairs and try the bakery downstairs. For the lounge, the ladies at the entryway checked my temperature the first day before I went in, but not on the second day. The food itself was the same the both days, a potato dish, a rice dish, and a pork dish, all of average quality. There was also a set appetizer try which my friend and I shared the second day which was better. 1 or 2 red and white wines plus a sparkling were on offer, of average quality. What was above average though were the views. Spectacular.

Breakfast downstairs was of good quality, including some unusual things on offer, including vegetable pot au feu and a truffle omelette. The cakes on offer at the bakery downstairs (see last 2 pictures) were very good, and my friends and I made a makeshift "afternoon tea" session. Do note that there were several cakes on display where the clerk said were not available.

Would I recommend this hotel? Well, it was reasonably priced, but it's a bit further north than the main tourist destinations of Osaka. The food was good and the staff were friendly enough. But I associate the Westin brand with being upscale and I struggle to see who they are targeting with this definition of being "upscale" with this decor. Add in what looks like a lousy room for usage of SNAs and I would struggle to say yes, but I struggle to say no. If anything, it needs an update.