bgriff

Thanks. I have the Westin booked on C&P which is much cheaper by comparison; it does sound like the St. Regis is nicer but perhaps not that much so (even 30K JPY, though cheaper than current rates, is not exactly a bargain). I'll have to keep an eye on it between now and then.

3rdworldresident

to me, st. regis is indeed MUCH NICER than the westin. though i never stayed at the westin anyway. (st. regis 3 times, sheraton once)

bgriff

Hm, well now with the announcements this morning the Ritz-Carlton is in play as well ... Flyertalk is about to get VERY busy with SPG and Marriott people exploring the respective other program...

TravelinSperry

Stayed at this lovely St Regis and overall I recommend it.

The positives:
1- Excellent Platinum recognition wich includes:
* 3,000 JPY credit towards mini-bar (as they have no lounge).
* Free buffet or Japanese style breakfast.
* Two pieces of pressing per day per room (needed since there is no iron in the room).
* 4pm checkout.
* upgraded to a large suite/style room. Beautiful large window overlooking Osaka.

2- Nice zen garden to enjoy outside the lobby. Some small seating areas to sit in lobby.

3- Nice location right above metro and within walking to the happenings and business areas.

4- The service is impeccable.

The negatives:
1- The hotel definitely needs to improve it's gym. Too small for a hotel priced at this range.

2- The American buffet breakfast food was plentiful but poor quality for a hotel of this type. Surprising to me since food in Osaka is fantastic. However the Japanese style breakfast was, as expected, exceptional. I also found the menus for lunch/dinner to be underwhelming, especially for vegetarians.

3- They have a nice large business center (that's a positive) But it's kept locked and requires someone to open it for you (rather than your keycard allowing access). Took an extra 10 minutes to get in due to this.

I'd definitely recommend this hotel - although it is budget busting.

3rdworldresident

Stayed here a couple of times.

Never been upgraded to a suite. (Their grand deluxe room, iirc, is pretty nice and spacious anyway.)

However, with impeccable service and location, this hotel is still my go-to in Osaka.

Really looking forward to stay here again.

lcpteck

Accommodation Tax Beginning January 1, 2017

Beginning January 1, 2017, an accommodation tax of up to 300 JPY will be applied per person per night based on room rate. The accommodation tax is not included in your confirmed rate and will be charged additionally upon checkout. Please contact the hotel for further information.

I believe this applies to all hotels, no just this one.

purplestraw

Agree with all your positives and add that I loved their intimate St. Regis bar and their fully stocked Suntory whisky selection!

Also was a bit surprised about the above as well. I'm not a big breakfast person to begin with and yet was still underwhelmed.

Loved their French restaurant on the ground floor Rue D'or. A tip: I walked in for lunch one day and they were surprisingly packed. Host recommended making a reservation, which I did smartly, as when I came back for lunch another day, they were packed again.

booyun

Glad I read this as I was planning to book a prepaid rate of 50k JPY in late June/Early July and I believe that is an off-peak time. Will book another property at a refundable rate (Marriott Osaka?) as a backup for now and keep an eye on the St Regis prices. Looking to use my Citi Prestige when I finally book and get the 4th night free.

woodcmfr

April is much more expensive because of the cherry blossoms. Stay after april or mid march for cheaper prices.

booyun

Can anyone tell me if ~34,000 Yen (or ~$290) a night is a good rate for this hotel? I have a trip for end of June / early July and that seems to be the going rate. I'm wondering if I should book now with that prepaid rate or wait and see if i goes down any further? Has anyone else booked rates much lower than that?

I also will be traveling with 2 young kids (age 5 and 7) but per the website, it says kids sleep free in existing bedding (max 2 kids). Is it ok if I book rates based on 2 adults only? If I change it to 2 adults and 1 child, it automatically makes me choose the Grand Deluxe room which is slight bigger than deluxe but the beds are basically the same. As a SPG Plat, it would be nice to just book a Deluxe and maybe get an upgrade but I'd be ok just staying in the Deluxe as well. If I enter 2 adults, 2 kids, it doesn't even give me the option to book a room (even a suite!). Anyone have experience with how St Regis (or other hotels in Japan) enforce these policies?

jbeans

^I think that's a pretty good rate for the hotel.

On a side note, their full body shower is amazing! It's like going whitewater rafting without the raft.

jpdx

I've never paid more that 20k yen all-in here via BRGs; the hotel has been getting a lot busier, though, so it's hard to predict what competing rates you'll be able to find going forward. Personally, I would not lock in a non-refundable $300 rate, but then again, I'm not willing to pay $300 for any hotel.

woodcmfr

Used the American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts benefit. Room rate was 38,000YEN before tax/fees.


Checked in 2:30PM
Upgraded 5 floors higher on the Grand Deluxe Room.
Buffett style breakfast (Japanese or International), 2 guests, free.
Checked out late at 2PM, no issues.
Used the $100 Food/Beverage credit at the local restaurants/room service
4th night free, credited at checkout.
Free Wi-Fi, relatively fast.


Combined offer with SPG Gold, so was able to receive my choice of 2 complimentary beverages at the bar including my guest at a $40 value.


Received SPG Gold gift - boxed chocolates, 4 pieces, assorted flavors.


Received American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts benefits fact sheet at check-in, with all benefits verbally explained.


Overall, very satisfied with my stay.

ChocolateFactory

How does this compare to the Sheraton?
I have three upcoming nights in Osaka.

I have an approved BRG claim at the Sheraton. Would book two rooms there at a rate of 9,225 JPY per night per room (including taxes/service charge).

I just sent in a BRG claim for the St. Regis as well, and if it gets approved, the rate would be set to about 26,800 JPY per night including taxes/service charge.

So we're looking at about 160 USD vs. 240 USD per night, for 2 people.
I don't mind sharing the room, but would of course "lose" 1 stay/3 nights for requalification.

I have SPG Platinum status. Is the St. Regis worth the premium?
It's our first time in the area.
Thanks!

Rossello321

Being that it´s your first time in the area, and being that (I find) the St. Regis is KIX´s best property...yes, it´s worth the premium. ^