It’s a wonderfully sunny spring day in Osaka. There is barely a cloud in the sky, the cherry blossoms are blooming, families are gathered on the verdant greens of Umekita Park, and kids are running around the water feature. Nearby, a farmer’s market is abuzz with activity, as a children’s carousel spins charmingly, vendors sell everything from succulents to craft beer, and locals as well as tourists find it difficult deciding what to eat and drink. Not far away from all this, located in the GRAND GREEN OSAKA south building, is the all-new Waldorf Astoria Osaka. It is the first establishment for the brand in Japan, and it represents everything you love about its luxurious accommodation options and excellent services and amenities—as well as what makes Osaka and the Kansai region so unique in all of Japan.
If location, location, and location are everything, then the newly opened 252-key luxury hotel truly has it all. Besides the aforementioned Umekita Park, landmarks such as Osaka Station and the Umeda Sky Building are within walking distance. As the Waldorf Astoria Osaka is located on levels 28 to 38, guests can enjoy views of the city, Yodo River, or Osaka Bay, depending on which room or restaurant and on which floor one is. Closer to the ground, buzzworthy cafes and restaurants, trendy stores and boutiques, and more are but a short stroll away—or an even shorter drive, if one so chooses to hop in a Mercedes Maybach house car.
Dubbed the ‘Grand Residence in the Park’, the Waldorf Astoria Osaka features opulent rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows that start at 46 sq m and reach 193 sq m, if one opts for the Presidential Suite. But if the latter is unavailable, the Waldorf or Astoria penthouses, each clocking in equally at 146 sq m, are more than worthy options. To reach these residences, guests pass through The Arcade, lined with timber archways inspired by tori gates and Peacock Alley, the passageway that once connected the original Waldorf and Astoria hotels in New York City. Then, once you’ve checked in (personally in your accommodation, not the front desk), unpacked, and settled in, you’ll gradually but definitely feel you’re in a Waldorf Astoria.
Its signature green hue—sometimes closer to jade in this part of the world—is everywhere, from pillow cases to hotel staff members’ skirts. Art deco aesthetics and local Osaka craftsmanship are above your bed, on the vanity boxes, and beside the doorways to ballrooms. It will feel uncannily familiar, like you’ve stayed in the Waldorf Astoria Osaka before, even though the hotel just opened in April and is the very first in Japan.
“What sets the hotel apart is its design, and how it matches a sense of purpose and place with the services and experience of a Waldorf Astoria,” says Alan Watts, president, Asia Pacific, Hilton. “André Fu is one of the most sophisticated designers around. His ability to bring to life a truly authentic mid-century modern interpretation of the Waldorf Astoria and then blend it with a sense of place in Osaka has just been amazing.”
Fu has an abundance of connections to the Waldorf Astoria as a whole, so it’s no wonder that this Osaka iteration looks and feels just right. When he was a teenager, Fu visited the Waldorf Astoria in New York City, saw the clock at its Peacock Alley, and became immersed in its Art Deco architecture. Then, he designed the Waldorf Astoria Bangkok, which opened in 2018 and was the first of the brand in Southeast Asia. Fu also visited several buildings in Osaka that date back to the 1920s, which combined Japanese and Art Deco aesthetics. “I wanted to celebrate the duality in the persona of Osaka,” Fu says. “To me, it captures the urbanity of Tokyo, but it also has a sense of poetry and serenity that people may associate with Kyoto. I think this is really unique to Osaka. So, I started from this point, and then tried to infuse a sense of Art Deco into the hotel while still making it very authentic.”
That authenticity is most salient in the Waldorf Astoria Osaka’s Peacock Alley, one of its four exceptional F&B offerings. Its iconic clock is above the bar, which is right in the heart of the space (and might very well be the proverbial heart of the hotel). To get to their reserved seats, guests descend a grand double staircase and, once seated, have even grander floor-to-ceiling double-storey views of Osaka beyond. While the sun is up, they’re savouring its archetypal Afternoon Tea; after the sun sets, those same guests are likely switching to the Rob Roy cocktail, invented in 1894 at (you guessed it) the original Waldorf Astoria New York—but now made with superb Japanese whisky.
Or if other cocktails are desired in a more intimate setting, they head to Canes & Tales, the Jazz Age speakeasy-inspired bar, which may involve a bit of effort in finding but not reserving, as it is open to everyone on a first-come, first-served basis. All-day dining is served at Jolie Brasserie, inspired by a French woman’s journey between Japan and France, and serves cosmopolitan fare as well as Japanese classics. And for an immersive omakase experience, make a reservation (or two) for dinner at Tsukimi. Whether you choose to sit at the teppan counter or the sushi counter, you’ll witness genuine shokunin (職人), crafting an unforgettable culinary journey, up close and personal.
Although guests will likely continue these foodie adventures all around the city, affectionately known as Japan’s Kitchen, they can (and should) enjoy the serene bliss found within the harmonious facilities of the hotel. For instance, the Waldorf Astoria Spa offers a plethora of treatments, massages, and body rituals that will revitalise, renew, and recharge. The 25m swimming pool, located on the 30th floor, is a veritable bungalow in the sky with wondrous views, while the 24-hour fitness centre features the latest Technogym equipment—useful if you’ve had one too many takoyaki and/or okonomiyaki. And, if you need somewhere quiet to deal with an urgent business call or if you just want to read more about Osaka Castle, the Library is a haven of tranquillity.
“We‘re thrilled to welcome guests to our new ‘Grand Residence in the Park’, where a new icon rises,” says Andrew Moore, general manager of the Waldorf Astoria Osaka. “It’s a place where timeless luxury and world-class hospitality come together in perfect harmony, here in Grand Green Osaka. Whether it’s an intimate occasion, a celebration, a business gathering, or a once-in-a-lifetime getaway, the Waldorf Astoria Osaka is ready to set a new benchmark for luxury in Japan.”
