My brother and I stayed at the Hotel Monterey Osaka for 6 nights in mid-August and we enjoyed our stay!

Cleanliness:
The hotel was generally very clean - lobby, reception, corridors. Our room was cleaned daily to a high standard (including the bathroom).

Location:
The hotel is located right next to JR Osaka station, from which you can take a train to practically anywhere in Japan. There is also access to 3 different subway stations (on 3 different subway lines) through the underground tunnels connecting to JR Osaka station. The location of the hotel is its best asset and is why we chose to stay here (using Osaka as a base to explore the Kansai region). The immediate surrounding area is not very pedestrian friendly though.

Rooms:
We stayed in a twin room and the size was pretty standard for Japan. If I had to fault the room it would be on its lack of wardrobe space (with only one narrow wardrobe to be shared by 2 people).

Service:
The staff at reception were very polite and extremely efficient. We never had to wait at reception for more than a minute before we were seen to.

Value:
The hotel is quite expensive but this is normal in Japan and seems more reasonable if you can get a good deal.

General comments/tips:
Reaching the hotel from Kansai airport is easy. Take the JR Kintetsu line from Kansai airport station direct to JR Osaka station (70mins, 1160 Yenn one way). Upon reaching JR Osaka station, exit via the Sakurabashi exit, turn right and you will reach a busy zebra-crossing. Cross this and enter the tunnel directly opposite. Walk straight through the tunnel of shops and restaurants and exit at the other end. When the tunnel ends continue walking straight along the road for a few mins and you will see the hotel on your left (it's big and yellow - you can't miss it).

Kyoto:
You can get to Kyoto (JR Kyoto station) in less than 30 mins with a JR rapid express from JR Osaka station. Simply take the JR Kyoto line at a cost of 540 Yen one-way.
When in Kyoto you can get around simply by using the buses (the subway is not very useful). You can buy a 1-day buss-pass (500 Yen) from the tourist information centre in Kyoto station. It comes along with a tourist-friendly map and can get you wherever you wish to visit in Kyoto. Buses are easy-to-use and stops are announced in English.

Hope this helps and happy travels!

My husband and I went on vacation to Japan where I had studied in college. I chose this hotel to stay at before catching a flight home because of the novelty of the Japanese wedding atmosphere. After college, I developed claustrophobia which was a huge inconvenience both in the hotel and at Umeda train station which is around the corner.

To get to the concierge desk, you must take the elevator up 8 flights and the rooms (and possibly the ceilings) are smaller than Western hotels. However, the room and the hallways/elevators had nice carpeting, granite counters, etc. The hotel staff speak limited English but were helpful.

When we were taking the elevator, a Japanese woman commented to her husband that it's unusual to see Westerners (literally "others") in this hotel.

I get the feeling the hotel is great if you are there for a wedding (for any nationality) but it's very boring and stuffy otherwise.