sammybk

Just left the hotel a couple days ago. Saw a sign out front for the bus to KIX.

Lounge spread was pretty good, not fancy though. 3-4 hot dishes including cutty and rice. Great views from up in the 28th floor.

Onsen and indoor pool free for globalist, also a 10% discount on any F&B. Bus to Osaka Station was easy and on time, but a drag. Never sat in traffic much. Breakfast was pretty good, slightly above average for Japanese 3-4 star hotels. Glad it was served in the restaurant, not the lounge.

Base suite was very large, but decor was dated. Couch was stained. Carpet needed to be replaced 5-10 years ago. Very worn out in spots. Furniture was all dinged up.

​​​​​​We were on the top floor and the hotel had rented out the adjacent presidential suite for a party the first night. Very loud, called the front desk to see about changing rooms. Got a very Japanese apology with zero action.
​​​​​​

gtu2004

Any good way to get to Itami or KIX airport from the hotel early morning (flights at 7am) except for Taxi?

estnet

Just check if the bus still runs. There is a sign outside a hotel in Tokyo that still lists buses to nrt and hnd BUT it hasn't run since covid and is still not running at present.

fmkgb

yes Tokyo Marriott in Shinagowa still has the signs outside and the bus to haneda does not currently run, however the Hyatt Osaka website says their airport shuttle currently does run and Hyatt Osaka website seems current for other features. I would still contact Hyatt Osaka directly to verify current schedule. Better to be safe…

https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/ja...transportation

AlwaysAisle

March 28, Seibu Prince Hotels Worldwide announced that it has acquired the operating right of Hyatt Regency Osaka from Hyatt Hotels in the U.S. This July 2023, Hyatt Regency Osaka will be rebranded as Grand Prince Hotel.

Hyatt Regency Osaka opened in 1994, initially owned by Japanese General Contraction company Obayashi, then the hotel was sold to Hong Kong investment found. Currently Hyatt Regency Osaka is owned by Hoshino Resort of Japan.

VegasGambler

Does that mean it won't be a Hyatt any more?

I just stayed there for the first time and I liked the hotel but the location is horrible for tourists (it's nowhere near the city center). I would probably not have stayed there again anyway (Or even the first time if I had known how bad the location was -- it was my first time in Osaka) but if they are leaving Hyatt, I won't even be tempted.

Again, nothing against the hotel or the staff; the location is just extremely inconvenient. And with the local subway stopping at midnight, you are stuck with an expensive taxi ride if you want to enjoy the nightlife. That alone makes it worthwhile to pay a little more to be in the main part of the city.

hailstorm

Actually, that's a very good question. There are two hotels in Tokyo that operate as both Prince Hotels and Marriott Hotels, so being two different brands at once is not without precedent.

OsakaWino

Here is the official notice of deflagging posted on the hotel's website.

https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/ja...-events#notice

demue

Honestly, not a big loss. As others said, the location just disqualified the hotel for pretty much most people unless maybe one attended meetings at the hotel or such.

woresu

I always wonder why Hyatt doesn't add any meaningful full service hotel in downtown Osaka over these years.

khabah

Agreed - with the loss of the HR, Hyatt will have no presence in Osaka until the limited-service Caption opens at the end of this year or early next. Astonishing how a major city can lumber along with no proper full-service from Hyatt, especially when you see Hilton jumping in with their Hilton, Conrad, Canopy and Waldorf brands, Marriott with everything from Sheraton and St. Regis to W and Aloft, IHG with InterContinental, Crowne Plaza and voco, and even Four Seasons joining the mix soon.

What is Hyatt without its classic footprint issues?

khabah

OsakaWino

The caption is not scheduled to open until "1st half of 2024". Hyatt might not be missing out too much for 1 year without a property in Osaka, but it is surprising that they have no plans to take advantage of the 2025 Expo. Osaka is also a strong contender for one of Japan's "IR" casinos. And then there is resurgence of the Asian inbound trade, with the lower-budget part of that favoring Osaka.

hailstorm

Well, they do have three hotels in Kyoto. Not a heck of a lot more inconvenient access to Osaka station area than the current HRO...

OsakaWino

But quite a different market sector. Recently some off-peak rates of 40,000 yen for the Hyatt Place. But I guess the category drop for HR Kyoto is good news.

VegasGambler

Slightly OT but what's the current state of this? I noticed various signs for casinos in Tokyo and Osaka but my understanding was that there were no casinos yet? I remember seeing one sign for "poker" that had a picture of a room with some poker tables. I also noticed that there was a casino dealers school at a mall in Shinjuku, which I thought was strange for a place with no casinos.