I am spending two nights in Osaka before heading to Kyoto for a few nights. I am currently planning on staying at either The St. Regis or The Westin. At The St. Regis I would be paying with real money, but at The Westin, I would use cash and points, and thus would save a significant amount of money (which is nice, since I am staying at some really nice and expensive places elsewhere on this trip). I would rather stay at the Westin, unless there is a good reason not to.

After reading the reviews on Tripadvisor, there are many comments about the Westin's location; this is my biggest concern. It doesn't sound like the greatest Westin, and, of course, the newer St. Regis would be nicer, but that is fine since I am saving a lot of money. A horrible location, however, would give me pause. This is purely a leisure trip, and I like to walk around and explore neighborhoods; I am not a fan of taking trains everywhere (of course I understand this is often the case in Japan). Also, are taxis easy/ plentiful/ reasonably priced in Osaka?

Can anyone compare and contrast the two properties, with specific focus on the locations of each of them. I have never been to Osaka, and I am completely in the dark. Any insight into the different neighborhoods of Osaka is appreciated.

Are there other four star or cool boutique hotels in better locations that you would recommend?

Thank you.

I have stayed at the St Regis so I can't c/c it with the Westin. But I can tell you about the Westin. I stayed there last November.

First thing: the staff was excellent: front desk, concierge, maid, restaurant, bar, shuttle driver.

I had 4 nights there. The first two nights were in a corner room on points. The next two nights, each on separate reservations were for a regular room for cash + points. I upgraded those two nights (1000 pts, IIRC) and thus was able to keep the corner suite for all four nights.

I think it is a no-brainer. I understand that sometimes it is desirable to spend cash at one property instead of points at a different one. For me, it was a no-brainer: the yen exchange rate is so poor as to make those points so much more valuable. The exchange rate 10 years ago on my first trip to Japan was about 120 yen/USD and now it is about 80. The hotel rates have not changed all that much, if any, as far as I can tell. So if you are going to spend points some day, then now, in Japan, is a good time to do it.

The room was everything that I expected from a Westin.

The Westin location does leave a good bit to be desired, but it is ok. There isn't much near the hotel. After I arrived in Osaka, at the airport bus stop a block from JR Osaka station, I walked to the hotel. From that point on, when I left exited the hotel, I got on the shuttle.

Taxis are plentiful at the Westin, but I did not use one.

The shuttle between the hotel was convenient. I think it ran every half-hour and was scheduled as a 15-minute trip, but it takes less than that. It is a very reliable schedule, but if you will be staying out late, after the shuttle quits running then you of course you would have to take a taxi back.

If you like to go back to the hotel during the day then just consider that the time you spend using the shuttle as a small tax in time that you are spending vs the $$$ extra you would be paying at the St Regis (am not sure where that hotel is but even if it was on top of the JR station it would not be worth it to me vs using pts or pts+$ at the Westin - even at 120 yen/dollar).

The breakfast buffet is very good tho not cheap. If you have an SPG status that would get you a free breakfast there then run, don't walk, to the Westin.

Drinks in the bar are expensive. The thing I liked about it was that smoking cigars are ok there and they actually sell Cuban cigars. It is pretty well ventilated.

My complaint about the Westin was that they didn't refill my coffee frequently enough for me in the restaurant. And it is not like you can go across the street to an Sbux or Doutor for breakfast. There are a couple of restaurants on a street about two blocks away from the hotel (and seen from the shuttle). I did not explore the area around the hotel as, from the looks of it, there was not much to be found.

I would be happy to stay at the Westin Osaka again, but would definitely consider options. I'd be willing to pay a bit more to stay at the Hilton, for example, because of location.

proofread before post: i made an error in the second word. I <b>haven't</b> stayed at the St Regis.

And there is a small garden, viewed from the restaurant, that is worth a 5-min stoll.

There is an airport shuttle that goes from KIX to the Westin but the schedule is limited and I arrived to late to catch it.

mrwunrfl, Thanks for your detailed reply. It is very helpful. Everything you said makes sense. The rate options are quite strange for this booking: for some reason, the Westin cash rate of 40,000 JPY (plus tax and service) is literally double the St. Regis rate of 20,000 JPY (almost $300 all in); but the St. Regis points and cash rate is double the Westin's. Something is odd.

In any event, the cash savings to me for staying at the Westin is almost $500 total for two nights; so yes, it makes a lot of sense. Too bad about the location though.

That is odd. When is your trip?

October.