Hotel Monterey Osaka

If you're looking for a taste of traditional Japan, this is not necessarily the place. However, if relatively convincing European replicas are your thing, the Hotel Monterey Osaka might fit the bill, and it certainly stands out in its neighborhood of skyscrapers. With the Schonbrunn Palace as its inspiration, the hotel features a medieval Viennese theme throughout, with lots of dark wood and ornate fixtures. In the reception area on the 12th floor, elegant chandeliers hang over the wooden front desk while the adjacent lobby is done up with rich red walls, a red-and-white checkered floor, and ornate furniture. The courtyard on the eighth floor is a lovely open space with big white columns, wrought-iron railings, and lush flowers and plants. In the center -- and strikingly visible on the hotel's exterior -- is a stone wedding chapel that looks lifted out of the Belgian countryside. While there's certainly an almost kitsch-like factor at this hotel, the look is a bit dated. Even so, the chapel makes this property a popular wedding venue, so groups can be common, though plenty of tourist couples stay here as well, thanks to the hotel's central location.

This hotel is located in Osaka's Umeda district, a seven-minute walk from the JR Osaka Station and Umeda Subway Station. Behind the hotel are the railway lines running into Osaka Station and beyond is a huge tract of Japan Railway land that's been waiting to be developed for many years. Therefore, the view from many rooms won't exactly be scenic (and noise from the trains can be disturbing). Osaka's Garden City skyscraper district is all around the hotel, and is home to many posh boutiques, as well as restaurants and bars. Iconic Osaka Castle is about 15 minutes away by car or 30 minutes by public transportation. The Hep Five entertainment district can be reached in 15 minutes on foot, and Universal Studios Japan is a 15-minute drive, or 25 minutes by public transportation. Osaka International Airport will take about 45 minutes to reach by train and monorail, or 15 minutes by taxi. 

Rooms are decorated in a Viennese style, with hardwood floors, wooden furniture, and yellow or blue walls. Beds are dressed in white linens with elegant bed runners, and wooden shutters are reminiscent of classic Austrian architecture. Superior Rooms add sitting areas and fancier furniture. Depending on travelers' tastes, the look may be quaint or dated. The wear that we spotted on some of the furniture and doors doesn't help the overall effect. Amenities include flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, minibars, kettles for tea and coffee, and a writing desk. Pajamas, robes, and slippers are provided. Bathrooms are equipped with shower/tub combos, hairdryers, Japanese-style toilets, and toiletries in large bottles. Some are decorated with Viennese-style wallpaper that -- again -- dates the rooms, especially when combined with brown tile floors. Keep in mind that train noise can be an issue, and rooms overlooking the train tracks don't have the nicest views. 

Features aren't numerous here, but are on par with other three-pearl hotels in Osaka. Given the property's quirky style, though, it's perhaps not surprising that there are some unexpected extras. The hotel has two restaurants, one Japanese and one French. The Japanese restaurant, Zuiente, is a casual space serving lunch and dinner on most days. The upscale French restaurant, Escale, has white damask tablecloths, chandeliers, and rich tapestries hanging on walls. It serves lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner on most days. A breakfast buffet is served daily and features Western and Japanese fare (for a fee). 

One of the more unusual features at this hotel is its beautiful wedding chapel, styled after a 14th-century Belgian church and complete with stained-glass windows, a vaulted ceiling, and antique chandeliers. Guests enter the stone chapel on the eighth floor, through arched wooden doors. It's surrounded by a courtyard. There are a number of other event spaces as well, including a ballroom that can host up to 500 people. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, and limited parking is available on-site for a fee. On the downside, there's no fitness center.