Hotel Review: The Conrad Osaka
Introduction
The Conrad Osaka is such a landmark hotel that will feel undeniably Japanese yet so technologically advanced in so many ways - an ultramodern yet conservative in nature, this is indeed the best hotel in Osaka. Fantastic service, great hard product and a prime location makes this fantastic 5-star hotel one of my most recommended hotel in Japan.
With rooms over $800 USD a night during May, we were in a guest list of several high-profiled families and celebrities during our stay in Osaka, and with the Conrad Osaka being one of the premier place to stay, we were incredibly fortunate to see just how amazing this hotel was going to be.
Upon arrival from the Osaka train station, we were instantly greeted by Roberto, who is the Bell Concierge Leader - he was incredibly professional and helped us with everything. We zoomed upwards to Floor 40, where we were personally greeted by Midori, the Guest Relations Manager. She escorted us to check-in and also greeted us with a cool towel and drink, another great gesture of a 5-star hotel.
The Room
Upon check in, we were kindly escorted by Midori, who was the star of our entire trip. She accompanied us to our room, which was located in the Executive section of the hotel, and we were given access to the Executive Lounge like the Conrad Tokyo. Our room was set up with such a beautiful view of Osaka, and came with all the various gifts and treats the management team left us - we were also greeted with two swans shaped like a heart and a happy anniversary post.
All rooms comes with the exquisite views of the Osaka cityscape and rivers, along with digital control panels that control the lighting, curtains, room temperature, room service and so much more. One of the most fascinating things about these rooms though, is the separate toilet - true to culture, the toilet is moved out of the bathroom and included in its own private area, to allow better usage. Personally, I really think this is one of the best features that any premium hotel could have - guests can shower and wash up without having to wait for their counterpart to finish up on the toilet.
In terms of quality, the Conrad Osaka in on tier with some of the most premium hotels in the world. Seamless yet detailed to the very lines of the room, everything is set right and functional, and kept to a minimum. Everything seems expensive and well placed. The bathroom had a shower with both a shower rail and a waterfall shower head, but included is an even bigger tub (biggest compared to all Japanese hotels I’ve been) that can literally fit me and my wife TWICE. Double vanity sinks make for easy wash up and turndown, and the shower amenities were top of the line.
The Amenities
Spa and relaxation is a big thing in Japan.
Located on the 38th floor of the hotel, there are a variety of activities one can partake in here. The serene spa and pool layout makes this place so relaxing and tranquil. With an array of treatment rooms and views overlooking the city, plus a huge jacuzzi, steam room and sauna, I would come here every morning after the gym to rejuvenate and get ready for the day.
The changing rooms also provide a few additional spa facilities, including a hot tub and a cold plunge pool. The fitness center is rather decent and has an abundant amount of cardio and weights for everyone to use.
The Lobby
Perhaps the most important part of this hotel is the lobby. And when I mean lobby I mean its 3-story open space floor-to-ceiling wall of windows and an ethereal staircase made of the finest material of marble. The almost mythical lobby contains 389 contemporary artworks, including Kyoto-based Kohei Nawa’s molecular white bubbles and Matsuo Takahiro’s shimmering curtains of the prettiest crystal shards at the 40th floor sky bar and lounge.
It’s so impressive that every time we’re in an elevator with guests or strangers, my wife and I would wait for their excitement and gasp of breath at the opening of the elevator doors. It’s that amazing.
The Executive Lounge
With access to the Executive Lounge, we used this for our breakfast and dinner during our stay in Osaka. Located on the 39th floor, we were able to utilize the lounge a couple of times during our stay. There is a plethora of seating, even during busy hours.
You can also check in here if you booked rooms on the Executive level. There are plenty of seats that have some impeccable views of Osaka in the morning and at night. The food and high tea setup was fantastic and the happy hour small foods were fantastic.
In addition, we had live music during our Saturday stay, which the musician brilliantly gave a shout-out to our friend, whose birthday also coincided on that day. Talk about a surprise for him!
Conclusion
The Conrad Osaka is the perfect answer to the all the 5-star hotels in Japan - perfect and impeccable. From VIP personalized service, jaw-dropping views, combined with the fantastic room and lobby, this hotel is probably the most sought-after hotel in its current market.
The Conrad Osaka is different and unique, futuristic yet functional, yet embodied with the great service and culture of Japan. With its ideal location to so many subway lines and perfect for business travelers, it’s close to the many food and entertainment locations in Osaka. Luxury is incredibly easy to find in Japan, but acing it on the first try, that’s an unicorn. What a place to be.
I want to give a HUGE shoutout to Midori, our guest relations manager for making our stay at Osaka the best in the world. Without her, all the magic and surprises would have never happened. It’s because of her incredible skills and generosity that have made this place so amazing! Thank you!