Mar 13, 2014, 5:14 am
Westin Osaka - Japan [Master Thread]
May 28, 2006, 10:34 am
#31
Community Director Emerita
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rtwstaralliance, from a location standpoint, the Osaka Hilton is superior to the Westin Osaka. It is immediately across from the JR Station, and adjacent to a subway line. It really is ideally located IMO.
However, I know that we often have status and stay reasons for chosing the hotels where we stay.
However, I know that we often have status and stay reasons for chosing the hotels where we stay.
May 28, 2006, 3:05 pm
#32
Join Date: Apr 2001
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Thank you. The Hilton is not available. The Westin is actually less. I have not been there since the year I met my wife so will be a nostalgic return. Now for my last night. The Hilton Osaka or the Hyatt Kyoto. Oh, the decisions.
May 28, 2006, 6:50 pm
#33
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Originally Posted by RTWSTARALLIANCE
Thank you. The Hilton is not available. The Westin is actually less. I have not been there since the year I met my wife so will be a nostalgic return. Now for my last night. The Hilton Osaka or the Hyatt Kyoto. Oh, the decisions.
May 29, 2006, 6:02 am
#34
Join Date: May 2001
Location: New York, New York
Posts: 1,602
Originally Posted by RTWSTARALLIANCE
Well. I need to get myself out of the hotel I am staying at in Fukuoka. The Westin Osaka looks to be the option as I want to see the observatory. Can someone comment on direction from Shin Osaka, cost of HSIA in rooms, is HSIA charged for Executive Lounge guests, what kind of upgrades are Plats getting now if available, suggestions for walking around the real downtown Osaka area (I know Hotel is not in center of city so to speak) and is it easy access to Osaka Castle? Thanks appreciate. I need to make my reservation asap.
Many of us look forward to your report.
Have fun!!
May 29, 2006, 2:01 pm
#35
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: West Coast USA
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Thanks for the compliment again. Today I will arrive into Osaka around 2 PM so I am going to make my way to the Westin. SanDiego1k put me onto the observatory building by the Hotel. Hope that is correct logic. Anyways it is a interesting building. Then later meeting for drinks and ramen. I will start a proper thread.
If anyone is interested in- Miyajima Island, Iwakuni or Kure please see my report on the Hyatt Regency Fukuoka. That was a good trip. More later.
If anyone is interested in- Miyajima Island, Iwakuni or Kure please see my report on the Hyatt Regency Fukuoka. That was a good trip. More later.
May 30, 2006, 2:22 am
#36
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: West Coast USA
Programs: UA GS/4 MM, AA Exec Plat, Lifetime Hilton D, Hyatt G, Marriott Titanium earned Ambassador
Posts: 7,553
Westin Osaka - Japan (Master Thread)
Preface: In Osaka as a tourist.
Rate: Booked online. Less than Hilton Osaka.
Transportation: I came in on the Shinkansen from Shin Osaka. At Shin Osaka take track 15 or 16. You are only going to the next stop which is Osaka Station. I asked a local just to verify the train I was stepping onto was going to stop at Osaka Station. After exiting there is a info counter. Break left and head towards the bell. Make another hard left and you will follow the signs to the hotel shuttle box stop. Now that being said the stop is not clearly marked in English and I grew frustrated waiting for the Westin bus which when I finally got to the Hotel realized was a huge thing you can not miss. I ended up going back into the Station and feeling conservative walked with the wheeler. A fair walk. Just cross the street at the Central Exit North (someone correct me please if I was wrong. As stated just follow the crowd. You will follow them into the underground walkway which is 300m long. My transport was foot power.
Check-in: I am a P and knew I was upgraded when I looked at my res online this morning. My check-in took place on level 1 but other people were being escorted upstairs. That was fine. As a P given a room on Executive Floor level 27. A amenity choice picking miles, a voucher to take breakfast on 1 and schedule of services at Lounge on 26.
I was amazed the bellman recogized me from the Hilton Tokyo. He put me onto and SanDiego1k also did the Observatory next door and the B1 of the same building. The restaurant facades are down in the Showa period. Simply put think crank phones and hand operated well pump. That was neat. The Lounge attendant gave me a discount voucher for the observatory.
Perks: As noted above. The Lounge serves light drinks and Yasuki tells me free real drinks begin at 6 PM so we need to be there in a few. He is correct since the Lounge is small. At least 50% small than the Hilton Osaka. Hence the voucher for breakfast because there is no way to accomodate people let alone a crowd. Please not the Lounge does not have any internet access.
Room: My room is a decent size. King bed, chair with ottoman, LCD Panasonic tv, frig, work desk with two chairs, ok size bathroom with separate shower and tub. A decent sized room much larger than the Hilton Osaka. I face onto the building next door with a little bit of water.
Communications: Please note. Only 1/3 of the rooms has wired HSIA access. No wifi. This was a problem. I was finally relocated to a room on the same floor with HSIA. The rate is 1000 yen per night until I think noon. Hate that when you have a late check out.
Location: OK. The Hilton is in a much better location and tomorrow I will move there.
Closing: This is my first return in 7 years. The Hotel is a little dated and the Lounge certainly needs a renewal. The price is right. May return. Did the observatory, B1 which was recommended and tomorrow will visit Osaka Castle. You can get directions and a brouchure from the Executive level agent or Guest Relations. Regards from Osaka
Rate: Booked online. Less than Hilton Osaka.
Transportation: I came in on the Shinkansen from Shin Osaka. At Shin Osaka take track 15 or 16. You are only going to the next stop which is Osaka Station. I asked a local just to verify the train I was stepping onto was going to stop at Osaka Station. After exiting there is a info counter. Break left and head towards the bell. Make another hard left and you will follow the signs to the hotel shuttle box stop. Now that being said the stop is not clearly marked in English and I grew frustrated waiting for the Westin bus which when I finally got to the Hotel realized was a huge thing you can not miss. I ended up going back into the Station and feeling conservative walked with the wheeler. A fair walk. Just cross the street at the Central Exit North (someone correct me please if I was wrong. As stated just follow the crowd. You will follow them into the underground walkway which is 300m long. My transport was foot power.
Check-in: I am a P and knew I was upgraded when I looked at my res online this morning. My check-in took place on level 1 but other people were being escorted upstairs. That was fine. As a P given a room on Executive Floor level 27. A amenity choice picking miles, a voucher to take breakfast on 1 and schedule of services at Lounge on 26.
I was amazed the bellman recogized me from the Hilton Tokyo. He put me onto and SanDiego1k also did the Observatory next door and the B1 of the same building. The restaurant facades are down in the Showa period. Simply put think crank phones and hand operated well pump. That was neat. The Lounge attendant gave me a discount voucher for the observatory.
Perks: As noted above. The Lounge serves light drinks and Yasuki tells me free real drinks begin at 6 PM so we need to be there in a few. He is correct since the Lounge is small. At least 50% small than the Hilton Osaka. Hence the voucher for breakfast because there is no way to accomodate people let alone a crowd. Please not the Lounge does not have any internet access.
Room: My room is a decent size. King bed, chair with ottoman, LCD Panasonic tv, frig, work desk with two chairs, ok size bathroom with separate shower and tub. A decent sized room much larger than the Hilton Osaka. I face onto the building next door with a little bit of water.
Communications: Please note. Only 1/3 of the rooms has wired HSIA access. No wifi. This was a problem. I was finally relocated to a room on the same floor with HSIA. The rate is 1000 yen per night until I think noon. Hate that when you have a late check out.
Location: OK. The Hilton is in a much better location and tomorrow I will move there.
Closing: This is my first return in 7 years. The Hotel is a little dated and the Lounge certainly needs a renewal. The price is right. May return. Did the observatory, B1 which was recommended and tomorrow will visit Osaka Castle. You can get directions and a brouchure from the Executive level agent or Guest Relations. Regards from Osaka
May 30, 2006, 4:30 am
#37
Join Date: May 2001
Location: New York, New York
Posts: 1,602
RTWSTARALLIANCE:
You continue to add to your mystique of a seasoned RTW traveler by posting another very useful detailed report. My wife and I had to back out of another Japan trip this spring because of a big project at home, but we are looking to finally travel to Japan this fall, staying at Starwood's Osaka and Kyoto properties. Your reviews of these properties will be the backbone of our upcoming trip. Thanks for the assistance you are providing, and have fun.
Best regards, Life_Platinum :-:
You continue to add to your mystique of a seasoned RTW traveler by posting another very useful detailed report. My wife and I had to back out of another Japan trip this spring because of a big project at home, but we are looking to finally travel to Japan this fall, staying at Starwood's Osaka and Kyoto properties. Your reviews of these properties will be the backbone of our upcoming trip. Thanks for the assistance you are providing, and have fun.
Best regards, Life_Platinum :-:
May 30, 2006, 6:04 am
#38
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: West Coast USA
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Thank you for the compliment. Just had drinks and light items with Yasuki in the Lounge. They have a nice service and you do not even need to get out of your chair. This is Japan. Had ramen after that.
Tomorrows post will include Osaka Castle if I do not feel like just bumming around.
Tomorrows post will include Osaka Castle if I do not feel like just bumming around.
May 30, 2006, 6:21 am
#39
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RTWSTARALLIANCE,
thanks a lot for your kindness. I am very happy to see you again.
I will try to post more at FlyerTalk as you told me.
Please enjoy yourself, take care and say hello to your wife!
Best Regards,
yasuki
thanks a lot for your kindness. I am very happy to see you again.
I will try to post more at FlyerTalk as you told me.
Please enjoy yourself, take care and say hello to your wife!
Best Regards,
yasuki
May 30, 2006, 6:40 am
#40
Join Date: Jul 1999
Programs: AA 1MM/Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,215
Looking forward to it. Trying to plan 4 nights/days in and around Osaka in July. Not sure whether to stay in Osaka and day-trip from there, or stay one night in Osaka and the rest in Kyoto.
We are also looking for a hotel close to Kansai as a transit option - get in at 330 one afternoon, out to Taipei the next morning at 11. Didn't think that it was worth trying to get to Osaka or Kobe for that length of time?
JapanRail also has a good deal on a fare + hotel in Tokyo for a quick trip - anyone done this before?
We are also looking for a hotel close to Kansai as a transit option - get in at 330 one afternoon, out to Taipei the next morning at 11. Didn't think that it was worth trying to get to Osaka or Kobe for that length of time?
JapanRail also has a good deal on a fare + hotel in Tokyo for a quick trip - anyone done this before?
May 30, 2006, 9:51 am
#41
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
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yasuki, it's always good to see you posting. You are our most knowledgeable poster on a wide range of Japanese hotels, and are always helpful to rtwstaralliance and me. I'm glad that the two of you got to meet again.
May 30, 2006, 1:23 pm
#42
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: West Coast USA
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Posts: 7,553
Yasuki. Thanks for taking time to meet me again. Always a pleasure. Your English is great and your posts are appreciated by others in FT also. I am fortunate because my wife can always get me a answer for Japan but many others do not have this option. I often get my own answers here within FT as it is difficult to pin my wife down to get my questions answered. Me or her golf. Golf often wins.
*
If you have time please stay in Kyoto. As noted before a wonderful charming historic city. Osaka is ok but on your schedule merits only one night. Based upon your schedule. The trip up and back to Tokyo for a one night stay would be a waste of your time. With luggage more simply put it would be exhausting. I just went from Nagoya to Hakata and I was winded. You have time inbound and outbound to TPE to get into Osaka or Kobe. Based upon what you state I would not purchase a JR Rail Pass for the country. You would not get the full value. If you then take the Haruka back/forth to Osaka or bus back/forth to Kobe. There are no Western point options at KIX aka Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott or Starwood. The rates at the Sheraton Kobe or often good. SanDiego1k. Can you post a link to those Japan regional rail passes you found for your last Japan trip? That was helpful even to me. Thanks.
*
SanDiego1k. I can advise you all that if Yasuki would apply a portion of his time and shared his Japan hotel knowledge it would be over the top. I have been privy to his work. I have always thought my posts lacking without pictures and he does that for Japan. Maybe someone can show me how to post pictures along with our travels. It should be noted Yasuki is great at answering FT PMs. Thank you Yasuki.
Regards from Osaka where I need to make a decision for this evenings stay.
*
If you have time please stay in Kyoto. As noted before a wonderful charming historic city. Osaka is ok but on your schedule merits only one night. Based upon your schedule. The trip up and back to Tokyo for a one night stay would be a waste of your time. With luggage more simply put it would be exhausting. I just went from Nagoya to Hakata and I was winded. You have time inbound and outbound to TPE to get into Osaka or Kobe. Based upon what you state I would not purchase a JR Rail Pass for the country. You would not get the full value. If you then take the Haruka back/forth to Osaka or bus back/forth to Kobe. There are no Western point options at KIX aka Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott or Starwood. The rates at the Sheraton Kobe or often good. SanDiego1k. Can you post a link to those Japan regional rail passes you found for your last Japan trip? That was helpful even to me. Thanks.
*
SanDiego1k. I can advise you all that if Yasuki would apply a portion of his time and shared his Japan hotel knowledge it would be over the top. I have been privy to his work. I have always thought my posts lacking without pictures and he does that for Japan. Maybe someone can show me how to post pictures along with our travels. It should be noted Yasuki is great at answering FT PMs. Thank you Yasuki.
Regards from Osaka where I need to make a decision for this evenings stay.
May 30, 2006, 3:48 pm
#43
Join Date: Dec 2004
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I hope those directions helped.
There are many regional railpasses that range from JR and private rail services:
JR West offers two types of passes. The JR West Kansai Area Pass and the JR West Sanyo Area pass.
JR Passes offered for the Kansai Area:
http://www.westjr.co.jp/english/travel/jrp/
In addition the Kansai area is well covered by a dense network of private and public sector rail companies other than JR.
Here is the pass offered by them:
http://www.surutto.com/conts/ticket/3dayeng/index.html
There are many regional railpasses that range from JR and private rail services:
JR West offers two types of passes. The JR West Kansai Area Pass and the JR West Sanyo Area pass.
JR Passes offered for the Kansai Area:
http://www.westjr.co.jp/english/travel/jrp/
In addition the Kansai area is well covered by a dense network of private and public sector rail companies other than JR.
Here is the pass offered by them:
http://www.surutto.com/conts/ticket/3dayeng/index.html
May 30, 2006, 4:59 pm
#45
Join Date: May 2001
Location: New York, New York
Posts: 1,602
Originally Posted by socalterp
Looking forward to it. Trying to plan 4 nights/days in and around Osaka in July. Not sure whether to stay in Osaka and day-trip from there, or stay one night in Osaka and the rest in Kyoto.
We are also looking for a hotel close to Kansai as a transit option - get in at 330 one afternoon, out to Taipei the next morning at 11. Didn't think that it was worth trying to get to Osaka or Kobe for that length of time?
JapanRail also has a good deal on a fare + hotel in Tokyo for a quick trip - anyone done this before?
We are also looking for a hotel close to Kansai as a transit option - get in at 330 one afternoon, out to Taipei the next morning at 11. Didn't think that it was worth trying to get to Osaka or Kobe for that length of time?
JapanRail also has a good deal on a fare + hotel in Tokyo for a quick trip - anyone done this before?
SOCALTERP: The nonstop bus service from KIX to the Kobe Sheraton makes this hotel very easy to reach with a minimum of inconvenience. Within an hour your are wisked from the from door of KIX to the front door of the Kobe Sheraton, and the pickup is just as convenient. Within the attached mall are a number of restaurants, among them a conveyor sushi bar.