Review of Westin Grand Osaka

Editor's Pick Award

Our Editors awarded this review for providing relevant information that may be useful and inspiring for other travelers.

True to Westin's reputation, this hotel was very grand.  The service is top notch from the moment you enter the doors. Actually, even the bell hops outside run to open the doors when you arrive (excessive as they are automatic doors).

It is in a great location only 10 minutes by shuttle bus to the JR Osaka station. There is a free shuttle for guests that runs to and from the hotel/station. By taxi it costs approximately $10-$15 one way from the station to the hotel.  Therefore, if you're doing a hotel/price comparison, if the difference is only by $50 or so per night, it might be best to shell out the extra money to upgrade to this level hotel as only the higher end hotels offer a free shuttle.  We used the shuttle 4 times in one day.  We set off early and did some shopping, got tired of toting around our bags, go back to the hotel to freshen up and come back out again.  If we were to pay $15/one way each time, it would have gotten costly to go back each time.

The rooms are very spacious for a Japanese hotel.  What I didn't quite like is the fact that they charge for internet usage in the rooms as most of the Westins we have stayed at have allowed us free connection. Anyways, that is a minor detail.

Not sure of value for the price as we booked this on our points but it is a very luxurious stay.

Food ~ as with all hotel restaurants and room service was very expensive.  A plate of fruit salad costs 1100yen ($11usd).  We discovered a bento (lunch box) takeout place right across the street from the hotel. It is called Hokka Hokka Bento (logo on sign is an H that looks more like an N).  They serve good portions with a full serving of rice.  The average cost of these bento boxes is around 500 to 600yen ($5-$6). They are open from 10am to 10pm so we would often pick one up for lunch on our way out to an excursion and grab another for dinner if we felt like staying in but not ordering fruit salad for eleven bucks.  You can also find a 24hr Family Mart three stores down from the bento place.  They sell everything from drinks (alcoholic and non) to dress shirts to ties and simple Japanese foods like rice balls.

The hotel staff were kinda staring at our bento box and convenience store bags as we walked in but who cares.  We had the comfort of an upscale hotel without having to pay through the nose for meals. HA!