Third stay, the hotel has been refurbished since 2005 - lobby looks pretty much the same though. My room was large, refurbished and clean. Internet access available, but at a cost in regular rooms. Staff, as ever, excellent. I like this hotel, it's not perfect but always makes for an enjoyable stay.

For a start the hotel is very far away from Osaka station...you need a bus everytime you have to go to the station. The hotel provides a free shuttle. The only good thing is that hotel rooms are large. Apart from that everyone else sucks...the pillows are too soft...the bed is uncomfortable..the TV is at least 50 years old. On top of that you have to pay for the gym...which is something I have never seen before!

Very good hotel , value for money, clean modern rooms with great views of the city and easy walking distance to shops, restaurants and osaka station. Next door to the hanging gardens which is fantasic and a must do. Staff in hotel very helpful and courteous however meals and drinks expensive in hotel. Would stay there again.

Okay first is first; The Westin Osaka is not exactly in the heart of the city - only so many hotels can be, so if you are after the "Times Square Hotel of Osaka", this may not be the hotel for you - try the Sheraton Miyako Osaka or save your yen for The St. Regis Osaka (like I'm doin'!).... But then again, the hotel is not exactly in Siberia either...

The hotel has a rather quiet, suburban neighbourhood with some great family-owned eateries and snack bars. And due to being outside of the main city, it has a great view looking back at the city itself!

People, forget the taxis and limos for a change, GO FOR A FREAKIN' WALK - hell, even GET LOST in the backstreets - and you will seriously have an great adventure to tell your friends back home about one of the safest, cleanest and friendlest cities on earth! Hungry? Pop into a mum-and-pop restaurant for some great cuisine that doesn't even wanna have a Michelin rating! Ask a stranger for directions to get back to the hotel or something - you may make a friend for life!

As for the hotel itself, I used 1,000 starpoints to get 50% off the Rack Rate of their Japanese Suite. This reduced the rate to about Y50,000 per night, which isn't bad split between four people.

There are only two Japanese Suites at The Westin Osaka, and they are the only guestrooms on the 7th floor. Despite this being one of the lower floors, the view of Osaka is still great, and considering there are no other guests on this level, it's veryf, very quiet - but then again, you have TWO entrances into the suite.

The suite itself has a genkan where you take off your shoes, then there is a main bedroom and a dining room - all with tatami mats and a lowered dining table. At night, rather than a turndown service, the housemaids put out your futons and pyjamas... that's right, Westin pjs! AWESOME!

There is a separate toilet with one of those scary robotic Japanese toilets... all buttons, a seat warmer and a bidet that I suggest you turn down the pressure on before using unless you're a masochist!

The bathroom is all sandlewood that has a huge 'ofuro' (Japanese deep tub)... I recommend the Japanese way of bathing - you sit on a stool and have a shower with a bucket to douse yourself with, THEN you hot into a hot, hot ofuro and just kickback and relax. Beats a spa treatment anyday!

Some people on Tripadvisor give The Westin Osaka a heap of [---] for it being 'faux European' in it's decor and design. Fair enough, each to their own. However you ARE in Japan; you will be met with the very best in JAPANESE hospitality... okay, I might be biased - I DO speak Japanese, however the staff at The Westin Osaka are just as polite in their spoken English as they are in their native language... and if you happen to speak Japanese, I think it is a real thrill for the associates there should you try and speak their language. That's not to say they will treat you better as a Japanese-speaker, but even still, just try and at least use your 'kudasai's' and 'arigatoo's' (pleases and thank you's.

Anyhoo, write me if you'd like more info on the Japanese Suites at The Westin Osaka... I'm a huge fan obviously and would love to let you know all about them should you choose to book one!