Opened in 2002 and located 50 km from Kansai airport, this hotel is situated on Osaka Bay right next to Universal Studios Japan and Universal CityWalk with its many shops and restaurants, making this the biggest player in luxury accommodations near Japan's most popular theme park. The conspicuous, 32-story building rises above JR Universal-City Station with direct train service to Osaka Station and shuttle buses departing for Kansai airport eight times a day.
It boasts an entryway topped by an arched glass roof, allowing light to stream over its white-marbled floor even on cloudy days. A white-marbled staircase leads up to reception, where contemporary black and gray leather chairs and sofas invite the travel-weary to relax under palm trees. Behind the front desk is nothing but a window with unobstructed views of the
bay.
The two restaurants include one on the third floor open throughout the day for casual dining. The other, Top of Hollywood, serves breakfast and dinner (California cuisine) on the top floor amid sweeping views of the bay and city and offers a vast wine list. There's also a lobby lounge and a top-floor bar, but, surprisingly, there's no room service. However, a Starbucks and 24-hour convenience store with drinks and snacks operate as tenants in the building, and CityWalk's vast array of restaurants provides many options as well.
Surprising, too, is the lack of recreational facilities, though there is a 31st-floor spa with baths filled with hot-spring water pumped from 1,000 m 
below the earth, a few exercise bikes, whirlpool, massage chairs, a sauna, and an esthetic salon offering massage, facials and other treatments. There are only three banquet rooms, the largest of which holds 250 for a stand-up reception.
Standard rooms are average-size, with one loveseat instead of armchairs, nonfunctional desks that double as vanities, broadband Internet access and a safe. Small unit baths have scales and hair dryers. Deluxe and family rooms add more space, more luxurious furnishings, and large baths with separate areas for the shower, tub and toilet. About 90% of the rooms are smoke-free, and one handicap room is available.
Thanks to its location next to Universal Studios, this 
is a great family hotel as well, with a lobby that sports a play area for little ones and family rooms that sleep up to four, as well as connecting rooms. Other family perks include child-size, brightly colored character slippers, special pajamas, bath stepstools to help kids reach the sink, and amenities such as famous character-brand sponges, cups and toothbrushes.
Although this hotel appeals to families with its main draw of the neighboring theme park and shopping complex, it is much classier than most family-oriented hotels. Of course, those who seek more varied dining and recreational facilities in a location outside Osaka's hustle and bustle will be happier at the superior Imperial.
