Hotel near Kansai Airport?

Can anyone give me the name(s) of hotel(s) near Kansai Airport in Osaka? I searched myself (of course) but all the links I found were not what I was looking for or not available in the night of 3-4 July 2008. Preferably a hotel with a shuttle service so I don't need to carry my large backpack on local transport. The maximum price I can afford is about 16000 yen (including taxes) / 102 euro for a single room (but cheaper is very much ok.. ;). It doesn't matter what type of hotel it is: Japanese, western, business, it's all fine.

Hotel Nikko is within the airport complex.
http://www.nikkokix.com/e/top.html
Ramada has a shuttle bus.
http://www.ramada-kix.co.jp/
Many (business) hotels don't accept reservation until 2-3 months before. I guess that's why you couldn't find a room.

there is only one hotel right by the airport (see link above) as the airport is on an artificial island. most of the hotels in Osaka are concentrated in several main neighbourhoods (Kita, Minami,Tennojietc.) a good 50 km from the airport. you go there by train (there are 2 stations in the airport) or by limousine buses or cabs straight from the airport.

We stayed at the Kansai Airport Ramada. It is only about 15 minutes by free shuttle bus. It only cost 13700 yen per double room per night.
Try- http://www.japaneselifestyle.com.au/hotel.php?hotelid=51440
We tried the same hotel on a few different websites until we found the best offer. It varied quite a lot depending on who you booked through. Also there is a Ramada in Osaka itself but it is much further away from the airport. The Airport Ramada is great if, like us you are arriving late at night. It is within walking distance of the train station which takes you into Osaka itself which we did the following morning.

Thanks for the answers and links, I'm gonna use them in my search. About those neighbourhoods: Kita, Minami etc, which one is best for travelling to the airport? And can you give hotelnames in these area's?

both Kita and Minami (and Tennoji) have direct access by train to/from Kansai airport. please look at transpotation under the travel section right at the very top of the page . then look for trains etc. or google Osaka etc. for some hotels check ww.japanhotel.net

If you are OK with carrying your backpack, but are concerned about taking public transportation with it, I would suggest saying in the Nanba area and taking the Nankai Rapit train diect to the airport. It has luggage areas at th ends of every car, costs 1,390 Yen and takes 38 minutes.

I always stay at the Toyoko Inn Nanba, it is about 8 minutes walk from the station and costs 6,720 Yen per night for a single:

http://www.toyoko-inn.com/e_hotel/00054/index.html

Although it is on a faily quiet main street, it is only about 10 minutes walk from Osaka's downtown shopping and entertainment district.