Hotel Monterey Osaka

This was my second stay at this hotel, and this time I stayed for five days and four nights. There was a slight issue with my initial room, but after speaking with the staff, they moved me to the room next door. The room was quiet and spacious enough. The hotel's breakfast was also excellent and varied daily. Most importantly, the hotel's location is superb, offering a peaceful retreat in the bustling Umeda area, as long as you're not right next to the train tracks.

I booked a standard twin room but was given a compact twin room, which was very small. There were unidentified hairs on the edge of the bathtub, and the bathroom had a foul odor that improved after I blocked the drain with a towel. I reported the small room issue to Trip.com. They contacted the hotel, but the hotel refused to change my room even though they had vacancies. In the end, Trip.com compensated me a small amount, but it didn't really make up for the terrible experience. I know Japanese people can be very inflexible in their approach, so I didn't bother arguing with the front desk; I just put up with it. I'd stayed at the Hotel Monterey in Fukuoka before, and that was slightly better than this. Honestly, only staff at international chain hotels in Japan seem to behave like actual humans; employees at local brands are basically robots, just robotically apologizing. I've attached two floor plans and a photo of my actual room. I will never stay here again!

I stayed at this hotel in Osaka, and my overall experience would be an 8.5 out of 10. It's especially perfect for those who want convenient dining and shopping, and who prioritize good transportation! First off, the location is absolutely incredible! It's only a 5-10 minute walk from JR Osaka Station, and even closer to Nishiumeda Subway Station. Whether you're heading to Shinsaibashi for some shopping or to Umeda Sky Building for night views, it's easily manageable with a walk plus a short subway ride. Downstairs, there are convenience stores, plenty of izakayas, and restaurants, so after a long day of exploring, you don't have to go far to find food – a lazy person's dream! The hotel's style is quite unique, with an European retro vibe. The lobby is on the 8th floor (the ground floor is a parking lot, so don't get lost on your first visit!). The chandeliers and wooden decor look very tasteful, giving you the illusion of staying in an old European castle – great for photos. While the rooms aren't huge, that's pretty standard for city hotels in Japan. The major plus is how incredibly clean they are; the bed was neatly made every day when I returned. Toiletries and free Wi-Fi are all provided, and the bedding is super soft – so comfortable to lie on after a tiring day. The service was also impeccable. The front desk staff were incredibly polite and patient, answering all my questions about routes and nearby restaurants. Even if their English wasn't perfect, we could communicate slowly. Check-in and check-out were quick, no long waits. However, I do need to be honest about the downsides: some rooms are close to the train tracks, so you can hear the train at night. If you're sensitive to noise, I recommend requesting a higher floor or a room away from the tracks in advance, and bringing earplugs just in case. Also, the decor is a bit dated, so some facilities look a little old. And there's no self-service laundry room; if you're staying for several days and need to do laundry, you'll have to ask the front desk for recommendations for nearby laundromats. Overall, the value for money is definitely there. It's conveniently located, clean, and comfortable. The minor drawbacks don't really detract from the overall experience. I would choose this hotel again next time I'm in Osaka!

Service: Great Hygiene: Very clean Environment: Very close to the Umeda shopping area, and it only takes about 20 minutes to get to USJ in the morning! Highly recommended!

The room itself was decent. Finding it for the first time can be a bit challenging. The hotel lobby is quite small and located on the 8th floor, while the ground floor is a parking lot – just go straight in, don't be put off by the entrance. I didn't get breakfast, so I can't comment on that. I was out early and back late every day, mainly just using the room for sleeping, and for that purpose, it was perfectly adequate. I'm not sure if I missed hanging a sign or what the reason was, but the room was cleaned daily.