Waldorf Astoria Osaka Hotel Review

A magnum of 2015 Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage appears almost as soon as I sit down for my first meal at Waldorf Astoria Osaka, the Hilton luxury brand’s first hotel in Japan. Director of food and beverage Maximiliano Elias proudly tells me that this is their house Champagne and that Moët & Chandon made magnums exclusively for the hotel, because Champagne tastes better poured from magnums, and regular-sized bottles would look silly against the soaring ceilings of Peacock Alley, the trademark Waldorf Astoria lobby lounge.

Elias explains with a casual shrug that “it just doesn’t work the same way.” The “go big or leave” attitude permeates the entire hotel. From the grand entryway doors to the marble staircase that leads to Peacock Alley, to the spacious guest rooms. It’s only fitting that Champagne is drunk every day from magnum-sized bottles in this place of celebration and grandeur.

The staff I encounter during my visit are from Argentina and Spain. Locals, too, are eager to share the joys of their hometowns with visitors. Osakans are, in my experience, among the friendliest Japanese citizens—more talkative and less reserved than the people I’ve met in Tokyo and Hokkaido. After learning that this was my very first trip to Osaka a bartender AirDropped a detailed recommendation note. Toki my chatty and friendly driver, who picked me from the airport also left a handwritten note.

André Fu—the Hong Kong interiors architect behind hotels such as The Shangri-La, Tokyo, and Villa La Coste, in Aix-en-Provence, France—has outdone himself with this latest project. Fu took inspiration from the Art Deco style of the original Waldorf Astoria New York which is reopening this summer after a major renovation, as well as Osaka’s Yodoko Guest House – the only Frank Lloyd Wright residence still standing in Japan. From the intricate woodwork headboards with their geometric patterns to the Japanese washi designs on the elevator, there are subtle peacock motifs all over the hotel.

The Waldorf Astoria Osaka is comprised of two separate buildings that are connected by an interior walkway. This indoor walkway allows guests to move from the lively and opulent public areas in Peacock Alley into the warm, welcoming arrival lobby. It revolves around a natural-stone fountain where the front desk, along with the guest room elevators, can be found. This space, nicknamed the “lantern” because of its warm golden glow, reminds me a lot of Upper House Hong Kong’s atrium.

You can find all the information you need about Waldorf Astoria Osaka here.

The Rooms

The entry level guest rooms impressed me. They were spacious, had walk-in closets with separate soaking tubs, rain showers that walked in, and minibars with local snacks.

All 252 guestrooms and suites are equipped with floor-to-ceiling glass windows that feature automated drapes. Sheer linen curtains can also be operated from the bed, revealing views of Osaka Bay and Yodo River. Ewoud Roussejen, Waldorf Astoria Osaka’s commercial director, says that you can enjoy lazy sightseeing right from your bed. Many rooms feature views of Umeda Sky Building, with its famous glass enclosed escalators. Roosjen told me rooms on West side have front row seats for the Yodogawa Fireworks Fest. Details like a TV angled to the right, folded pajamas for turndown and a lacquered jewellery box make a stay comfortable.

Three signature suites are available, including a Presidential Suite designed to entertain with an eight-seater dining table in natural hardwood, a fully equipped kitchen, pantry, private bar, and a full living room.

Food and Drink

Peacock Alley, the hotel’s first restaurant and bar when the lift doors open at the 29th floor, is a striking impression. “Peacock Alley is the beating heart of the hotel,”  Roosjen says. A light all-day dining menu is available, along with afternoon tea, pairing sweet and savory bites served on Ginori pastel porcelain with a selection of Steven Smith Teamaker loose-leaf tea and Champagne.

Jolie Brasserie is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and offers a breakfast buffet that could have been designed by a professional food stylist. There’s a delicious salad bar, with over a dozen sliced and julienned ingredients, a congee dish with an array of toppings as well as a Japanese breakfast.

The hotel’s signature is Tsukimi – a Teppanyaki restaurant. The restaurant’s guests are treated to an exhibition of precision grilling. Wagyu beef, sourced from Kobe in the vicinity, is served with pride here. Chefs proudly display to guests the cow’s birth certificate. Tsukimi also has a sushi counter for those who would prefer raw fish over cooked meat.

After dinner, head downstairs to Canes & Tails for a nightcap. The Jazz Age-inspired bar, located behind a green unlabelled door and a twisting corridor with cocktails inspired by F. Scott Fitzgerald’s book, is hidden behind. I chose to drink a tropical “Lees of Happiness,” a non-alcoholic drink with a floral-shaped garnish, after a long travel day. Amazake Ice cubes that melt slowly into the drink, bringing sweetness to the sour taste.

Amenities & Experiences

Each guest will be offered concierge services through Whatsapp upon arrival. My concierge quickly delivered a mat to my bedroom, assisted me in finding the hidden ironing boards, and made reservations for dinner. All guests are entitled to complimentary shoe shine, free Wi-Fi and access to the Mercedes Maybach house car on a first-come-first-served basis. The hotel concierge is also able to organize excursions off-property, such as knife-making in Sakai, or a tea ceremony.

The 30th Floor is dedicated to your well-being. It has a library and an indoor 82 foot-long pool. There’s also a Technogym fitness center, as well as a spa. It’s a 24-hour retreat where you can work, read or hold meetings. You can also order room service from the library. The fitness center offers a range of cardio equipment and free weights as well as fresh fruit and fruit-infused waters.

Two glamorous ballrooms are available, as well as an airy chapel and two beautifully designed meeting rooms.

The Spa

The intimate spa is located on the 30th level and has four treatment rooms. It features four skin care brands, including Swiss brands La Prairie, Dr. Burgener, and Japanese skin care, Tiaraleen. The spa menu is far more than just massages. It includes fascial release therapy and scalp exfoliation. There are also abdominal massages, heated infrared body masks and magnesium-rich meridien treatments to help combat jet lag. I chose the two-hour vitality treatment, which included a foot scrub with local sake, salt, and sake lees. Matcha was also whisked fresh. I started face down with a firm lymphatic massage to help improve circulation before flipping over for a gua sha facial, all using Tiaraleen products. Both the men’s & women’s changing room are fully equipped with saunas, steam rooms, and hot tubs. Hotel guests can enjoy these facilities without an appointment.

Family Friendly Offerings

The hotel does not have a children’s club but it caters to families. It has many connecting rooms, mini-bathrobes and slippers for kids, small umbrellas, high chairs Stokke, and a menu that includes dishes such as pork curry vol au vent. Roosjen moved from Qatar to Osaka and says that her kids weren’t good eaters before moving to Japan. But now they eat nori paper as a snack and yakitori chicken heart. Family-friendly, the pool also has flutterboards or arm floats upon request. Osaka makes a great base for families who want to visit Kyoto (less that an hour away), Nara and Universal Studios Japan.

Accessibility and sustainability

Waldorf Astoria Osaka measures energy efficiency with Hilton’s LightStay and offers carbon neutral meeting through Meet with Purpose. The property does not use single-use plastics. Instead, full-size Aesop bathroom amenities are provided in each room.

Four accessible rooms are available at the hotel. They have been thoughtfully designed with features such as automatic doors, grab bar, and lowered sinks. These features support guests with sensory and mobility needs. The public spaces include Braille elevators, accessible amenities, and ramp entrances.

Location 

The hotel is situated on the top ten floors of Grand Green Osaka’s trendy new development. This includes dining, shopping, as well as a wonderful spa. Onsen Locals love this hot spring. You can also take a train to Kyoto, Kobe or Hiroshima from JR Osaka Station. Kansai international airport (KIX), 45 minutes by car. trainFrom San Francisco or Los Angeles, you can fly straight to Osaka.

The Best Value for Your Stay

Waldorf Astoria Osaka belongs to the Hilton Honors programme, where members can earn points and redeem them during their stay. Gold members are entitled to room upgrades depending on availability and receive complimentary breakfast. Diamond members will also receive two complimentary drinks per night in Peacock Alley. The hotel also belongs to American Express Fine Hotels & ResortsIf you book using an Amex Platinum card, you will receive early check-in and late check-out. You’ll also get a complimentary breakfast and $100 in food and beverage credits. Nightly rates are Waldorf Astoria Osaka Start at $1,013.