Hotel Review: Conrad Osaka | King Executive Corner Room
Introduction
The last time I visited this hotel was back in 2019, where my wife and I had our first honeymoon in Japan. There, I wrote a review on their Executive King Room and their fantastic concierge service. We came back this time around with our friends from Kyoto to enjoy some of the sights in Osaka.
Designed by Hashimoto Yukio Design Studio (behind The Peninsula Tokyo, InterContinental Osaka and Hilton Tokyo Bay), this 5 star luxury hotel sits atop levels 33 to 40 of the Festival West Tower skyscraper building, with floor-to-ceiling windows in every room showcasing stunning panoramic views of the city.
So, what did I think about this hotel the second time around? Let’s find out!
Location
The Conrad Osaka is conveniently located between two major shopping districts in Osaka: Umeda and Namba. The location is ideal for transport links, given its direct connection to the Osaka Metro’s Yotsubashi Line at Higobashi Station via an underground tunnel. It’s a great starting point for those traveling around Osaka. When you arrive, you may notice there are two entrances - the front entrance is used for vehicles, while the other is the pedestrian entrance that provides access to the metro and the main street.
For those arriving from the airport, you can leverage the connection via Namba Station and the Nankai Line, as it provides a direct route to and from Osaka Kansai International Airport, which is approximately an hour’s journey by train or a 45-minute ride by taxi. Osaka Itami Airport, which serves domestic flights, is a closer 20-minute car ride away. In addition, the Conrad Osaka is also a relatively quick walk to the Shin-Osaka Station. Located in the opposite direction, north of Umeda, this station serves as the Shinkansen hub for passengers commuting between Osaka and the rest of Japan.
Hotel Lobby
Our group arrived at the Conrad Osaka around 2:30pm from Shin-Osaka train station, and we were escorted up to the main lobby. Upon arriving, a beautiful chandelier greets you on the ground floor lobby, and there’s a set of elevators that brings you up to the hotel’s main lobby on the 40th floor. When you arrive, you’re greeted by what I think is one of the most beautiful lobby in the world. Leveraging the cityscapes, the lobby is stunning all around, with views overlooking the entire Osaka city.
The main piece of the lobby is the grand spiral staircase. Inspired by a ribbon design that translates across all of Conrad Osaka’s theme, this staircase leads down into the 38th-floor landing area. The lounge was bathed in the warm sunlight through the never-ending floor-to-ceiling windows. To get to check-in, you’ll pass by some art installations that are also beautiful to look at. Passing in between the bold artwork and following the makeshift steps mirrored along the ceiling, you’ll arrive at the front desk, where check-in is handled.
I’ll try to let my pictures capture the magnificence of this lobby.
The Room
Check-in was a breeze. They confirmed our benefits as Hilton Diamond members, which included complimentary breakfast in the morning and Executive Lounge access. In addition, we were given a nice upgrade bump to a Corner Executive Room, as the hotel occupancy rate was high and our booked room wasn’t ready at the moment.
Upon entering, you’re greeted with the familiar red artwork that dots all the rooms. A quick left showcases the massive bathroom and its two sliding doors, along with a walk-in closet. Heading right, the living room and the city views greet you. From the bathroom, a sliding door leads into a spacious bedroom, where a Conrad-branded teddy bear and rubber duck were positioned on the king bed. A Conrad duck and bear awaited us and we were eager to add them to our growing Conrad collection. All technology, from the main lighting and drapes to the room temperature, is controlled by high-tech bedside tablets for optimal functionality.
A plush bench is at the foot of the bed, while a small chaise lounge chair is positioned by the window. The bedroom’s flat-screen TV is affixed to the wall between the floor-to-ceiling windows. On one bedside table was a Bose SoundLink Mini wireless speaker, and on the other a tablet to control the room’s curtains and lights. Both bedsides had a Type-A charging outlet and a USB port. In a corner of the room was a living area plus a dressing table with pop-up vanity mirror and power outlet, allowing you to dry your hair while seated.
Heading back into the bathroom, the design carries a sleek and modern appearance. The vanity features two vessel sinks and large mirrors, and the shower and a luxurious circular bath are both located in a single Japanese-style wet room. A Dyson hairdryer sits prettily on the vanity top, which is a nice touch for those wishing for a premium hairdryer. A small half-bathroom is located at the front of the room, with just a toilet and sink.
The highlight was the large soaking tub and shower, located next to each other in the wet area. Water pressure was strong, and the tub was major relief for our sore legs.
Turn-down services are available. It is always nice to come back to a room nicely prepped for the night. The staff will also arrange for some camomile tea and lay down the pajamas on the side of the bed for each guest, along with a small treat.
Overall, the Executive Corner room was lavish and incredibly spacious, with absolutely unbeatable views of Osaka. I truly really appreciated the Conrad Osaka’s generosity in offering the upgrade, and a rare feat in Diamond members getting a true upgrade.
40 Sky Bar & Lounge
The 40 Sky Bar & Lounge is connected to Atmos, and appeared to be a classy area to enjoy a drink in the evening, with elaborate hanging crystals marking its entrance.
Guests can enjoy afternoon tea in the day and live/DJ music-soundtracked tipples after dark. The cocktails are on the fruitier and more refreshing side of things, with options such as La Peche (white peach, white peach juice, peach fruit mix, grenadine, Chandon), Wabi-Sabi (Olmeca Blanco Tequila, cointreau, lime juice, and wasabi) and 40 Sky (Beefeater gin, Bénédictine D.O.M., cointreau, orange juice, lime juice, Angostura bitters). The bar’s signature cocktail is Takoyaki in the Sky, a dramatic blue-coloured cocktail featuring Beefeater gin and dry vermouth which is crowned with a takoyaki ball.
If there are one major negative during our stay, it’s the lounge service. Somehow’s it’s gone downhill since 2019. The service was painstakingly slow, attendants were not sure who to serve, and when we finally ordered, the food came out incredibly slow. I’m not sure if this was just the timing of the lounge service, but to me, a 5 star hotel with this lackluster service is not acceptable. I hope Conrad Osaka will have this sorted out for future guests, as this was a bit of a bummer during our stay. The bar service was great however, and we had no problem getting our drinks relatively quickly.
Amenities
The spa is on the 38th level. The pool area has floor-to-ceiling windows with an uninterrupted view of the city, premium jet-black lounge chairs dotted around, and a contemporary ambience. Additionally, the change rooms provide a few additional spa facilities, including a hot tub and a cool plunge pool.
The fitness centre at the hotel is rather modest, with adequate free weights and one of each main piece of equipment. However, there was plenty of floor space if you wanted to do yoga or some stretching. it reminded me a little bit of The Clan Hotel that I recently stayed in that most of the Techno-Gym equipment had a full entertainment suite and could connect with personal fitness apps. Even the strength-training units had screens, so you could see demos of how the exercises are meant to be done!
The spa and pool facilities are open daily from 6am to 10pm. It is located on the 30th floor. It is such a gorgeous facility and I love the soothing warm vibes. It comes with an indoor heated pool that has a view of the surrounding area. You can access the pool via the changing room. Inside the changing room, you can also find other facilities such as a sauna and steam bath. The changing room is well-equipped with all sorts of amenities and toiletries.
Breakfast
As a Hilton Diamond member, complimentary breakfast is served in the Atmos restaurant. Breakfast service is from 6.30am to 10.30am. As the name goes, the restaurant offers stunning unblocked views of the city and the river. It is a spectacular restaurant.
There was a separate à la carte menu that you could order from in addition to the buffet. I was delighted to find a few specialty beverages available on the menu, and I helped myself to a delicious matcha latte. In addition, I decided to try the various egg options from the à la carte menu. The egg custard was quite flavorful and was incredibly delicious, and I felt that it was a perfect addition to my breakfast.
Everything you could ask for in a Japanese, Asian, or Western breakfast was available, and the Conrad Osaka certainly didn’t disappoint with its breakfast offerings. They even had a prime rib carving station for breakfast, which is literally unheard of for a weekday breakfast! The hot food line had items like potatoes (incredibly crispy), blistered cherry tomatoes (that burst in your mouth with an alluring sweetness), sautéed mushrooms, bacon, sausage, grilled fish, and more.
If there was one IMMEDIATE item to try, it’s got to their croissant. It was absolutely mental on the fluffiness and texture of their basic croissant - in fact, it was so good our whole table ate so many of them that the F&B manager came with another tray, haha.
Breakfast would cost 5000 Yen if not included in your rate or status. This includes access to the buffet and a couple of a la carte orders. Thus, having Gold or Diamond status is a nice perk to have, as you would gain breakfast and a few benefits here and there to make your trip worth it.
Conclusion
If you have Hilton points or a free night certificate to use, the Conrad Osaka is an impressive upscale hotel that I can wholeheartedly recommend. The hotel embraces an ultra-modern design, with a peaceful ambiance and a stunning 3 story lobby that’s among the best I’ve ever stepped foot in. When compared to its counterpart, the Conrad Tokyo, it has a much more modern vibe to it.
The rooms are spacious, design-forward, and equipped with all the amenities you’ll need for a comfortable stay. The spa facilities are top notch, and the Atmos breakfast is one of the best in Osaka. It’s a shame that the sky lounge service was a major disappointment in our stay, but nevertheless, the Conrad Osaka is still a top premium luxury hotel for those looking to visit Osaka once again.
