Booked the room after comparing with the others in the area with the helpful
Tripadvisor reviews. Afterwards, have slight hesitation as it seems a bit out of the way from the other hotel and with no connecting bridge to The Studios judging from what we have seen on the google map, but don't let it scare you, it will only take you 5 mins to get to The Studios entrance. Just cross the road, up a flight of steps (there is an escalator if you use a stroller).

My kids (including myself) simply love the jellyfish at the lift lobby on the room floor. We spent a long time discussing whether they genuine! Room are clean, spacious with good layout. Services are on par with the hotel star rating. Many food choices in the square/mall complex just a few minutes walk away (there is this upslope path between the station and the hotel next to it, user friendly for stroller user).

I would use this hotel as a base for exploring the Umeda area in Osaka even if I won't do The Studios again. Although train is less frequent (9-13 mins interval), it's relatively straightforward (required one change but with an escalator at Nishikujo) and will take you to JR Osaka station (umeda) in less than 15 mins. Nothing to beat this if you want good value for money and are traveling with young children.

This hotel really has that 'wow' factor. You walk in and there are t-Rex dinosaur skeletons hanging from the roof, amazing colourful, huge, tropical aquarium behind the reception desk, the lobby is huge and luxurious with plenty to look at. Going up the elevator to your room, I can't explain it, it's made to look like the ocean the elevator looks really cool inside. When you come up to your floor there are tanks with neon jelly fish swimming around.

When we first arrived in the room we where just like "WOW!" After coming from Tokyo spending out time in tiny hotel rooms this room was huge and at a lesser price. It's very luxurious and clean. Huge bed, I believe it was a king room that we had with a view of the universal theme park. The bathroom is very nice and luxurious with lots of room compared to the cramped hotels we had been staying in, the toilet opens automatically when you walk in.

The location is great if you intend to go to universal and the Osaka aquarium. Unfortunately I think Universal Studios is not worth the money at all, when we went every ride had a 120-190min wait time. Also they don't do pass outs anymore. If they did pass outs I would think it would be really handy having the hotel near by cause you can go drop off stuff, or if you have young kids that need a mid day nap you can come back. The fact you can't go back in takes away most of the advantage of staying right there. The place is very child/family friendly however we didn't have children with us. It isn't in the heart of Osaka city but it is right near the train line so you can get there easy. Basically mostly worth it if you want to do USJ and aquarium, it's a great hotel!

One thing I didn't like was the breakfast buffet. Was overpriced and not very nice. Pretty sure the scrambled eggs where reconstituted from powder and the bacon didn't taste right and was mostly fat. I didn't try the lunch of dinner buffet but I expect they would be as underwhelming. Your far better off going across to universal city, the shopping arcade across the street in front of USJ. They have many places to eat there as well as shopping, pharmacy, minimart, Starbucks etc.

If you stay at this hotel and are coming by train you need to take a sharp left as you exit the train station and pass by the side of Starbucks. Keep walking forward and you will see the hotel. There are no signs so it took us a while to find.

Clean and good location if you are planning to visit Universal Studios with family. It is more a family hotel not ideal for business stay as there are no English programmes on the television. Even BBC is dubbed to Japanese and the only English movie is repeated throughout the day. Great for families not great if you are running solo.