Hotel Universal Port — Hotel in Osaka

Subpar Hospitality at Hotel Universal Port If you are an American traveling with small children or thinking about making a reservation to this hotel via booking.com, please read.

I arrived at the hotel at 11:00 AM. As check-in was not until after 3:00 PM, I stored my luggage and left the premises for lunch. Upon returning at 2:20 PM, my children were wet from the rain and experiencing discomfort due to the cold air conditioning inside the hotel. Despite attempting to check in and complete payment at this time, I was informed that check-in was strictly not possible before 3:00 PM.

Given that Hotel Universal Port has 600 rooms, it was difficult to reconcile the assertion that no rooms were available for check-in at 2:20 PM. Furthermore, the communication from Mr. Tomimagawa, the front desk staff assisting me, was not persuasive. He did not inquire if a room might be ready, nor did he explain any specific reasons for the inability to check in early. Instead, he simply stated that check-in was not possible before 3:00 PM, conveying a strong sense of disinterest. The sight of my key card prominently displayed on a stack of files behind the front desk staff at the 3:00 PM check-in time also contributed to a feeling of being unwelcomed.

From 2:20 PM, out of concern for my children, I waited at the hotel front desk. During this period, I observed three Japanese-speaking families, two Chinese-speaking female guests, and two other Japanese-speaking female guests successfully checking in and receiving their room keys. Notably, the two Chinese-speaking guests arrived at the front desk after I did.

The staff's notation on the check-in documentation indicated my reservation was made via Booking.com. This experience led me to consider whether there might be a bias against guests from the United States traveling with small children or those booking through Booking.com. Based on this, I would advise against this hotel for any U.S. travelers considering a stay via Booking.com. In my extensive experience with hotel check-ins across Europe, Asia, North America, and South America, this establishment presented the most unwelcoming...

We were a group of two adults and three children — one elementary schooler and two preschoolers. We stayed in the “Waku Waku Wonder Room,” which had an extremely large bed made by connecting two double beds together, along with a spacious room. The bed was more than big enough for all five of us to sleep comfortably.

The entire room was very clean, and the kids enjoyed watching YouTube on the in-room projector. The room was quiet, and the toilet and bath were also spotless. The switches were placed low enough for children to reach, while areas that children shouldn’t access were set high up, showing thoughtful attention to detail.

The Wi-Fi was fast and stable. Laundry machines and dryers could be used cashless — I paid with Apple Pay, which was very convenient. There were plenty of machines available, so I didn’t have to wait at all, and being able to extend the drying time easily with Apple Pay was a plus.

The restaurant was excellent, offering a buffet with a dedicated children’s menu. Kids could also choose from the adult menu if they wished. After 8:00 p.m., alcohol is no longer available, and room service stops as well, so I recommend buying drinks or snacks at a convenience store in advance.

We visited USJ, which was about a 10-minute walk from the hotel. It was easy to leave midday, rest at the hotel, and return in the evening. The staff were very kind and quick to help whenever needed — for example, when I forgot the PIN code for the dryer’s lock, they took care of it right away.

We enjoyed an extremely comfortable two-night, three-day stay, and would happily...

We spent three nights at Hotel Universal Port, primarily because our child wanted to visit Universal Studios Japan—especially Super Nintendo World. Since we didn’t purchase Express Passes, we wanted a hotel close enough to get to the park early and beat the crowd. Staying here turned out to be a smart decision.

The hotel is just a 5-minute walk from the Universal Studios front gate, which made it very convenient—especially with young kids. Although the park opens at 8:00 AM, people begin lining up from 6:00 AM. Being nearby allowed us to leave around 6:30 AM on all three days and easily access Nintendo World each time without major hassle.

Room-wise, we stayed on a higher floor with a view of the lake and overpass. The moonlight reflecting on the water offered a calm and scenic atmosphere. The hotel is large, quiet, and clearly designed to accommodate Universal Studios visitors.

However, I found the service underwhelming. Housekeeping came daily to change sheets and remove trash, but there was little else to speak of. For instance, no complimentary water bottles were provided—you need to purchase them from a nearby convenience store. At over $400 per night, the price is on the higher side and not fully justified by the service level.

In short, this hotel is only worth staying at if you’re visiting Universal Studios. For other purposes, I’d suggest staying elsewhere...