Why book Waldorf Astoria Osaka?
For a slice of New York extravagance in one of Japan’s buzziest cities.
Set the scene
Japan’s first Waldorf Astoria hotel is brand spanking new, and couldn’t have opened its doors at a more fortunate time: just nine days before the Osaka-Kansai Expo, and on the very weekend that the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. Locals lined up from 10am to get a first look at the hotel, which occupies floors 28-38 of the Osaka Grand Green development in the heart of the city. However, they had to wait a couple of hours until the staff completed their temple visit and prayers for a successful run – after which they were welcomed in with style with Champagne on the house at the The Peacock Alley, a light-filled space designed by Andre Fu, with a dazzling, panoramic view of the skyscape and river. “The aesthetic of Waldorf Astoria New York is central to the brand’s heritage, reflecting its timeless elegance and iconic legacy,” says Andre: “Recognising how this architectural period resonates within Osaka’s context, I sought to reinterpret Art Deco sensibilities with a fresh perspective, blending textures, colors, and forms to create a design that feels distinctly rooted in its locale yet unmistakably Waldorf Astoria.”
The backstory
Five years in the making, the Waldorf Astoria Osaka is the first outpost of the brand in Japan. Osaka is seeing a spate of new luxury hotels, so the pressure on this one to stand out was intense. The brand has done that by bringing its key features – Art Deco architecture, innovative dining, a grand ballroom, the Peacock Alley lounge where guests gather at all times of the day – and infusing them with an unmistakably Japanese spirit. Renowned designer Andre Wu (of Upper House Hong Kong and Capella Singapore fame) took his brief seriously – and delivered. The result is signature Waldorf Astoria and still authentic to its location.
The Peacock Alley leads via a long and airy corridor with hallmarks of Art Deco architecture high above. Then you turn a corner and are essentially inside a seven-meter-high lantern. This is a contemporary take on the traditional lamps that the Japanese place outside their homes, but also an ode to the original Tiffany lamp at the flagship Waldorf Astoria New York. There are water features and glass-encased gardens with Tsubaki trees on both sides. It feels seamless, and yet it takes your breath away.
The rooms
The Waldorf Astoria hotels have always positioned themselves as having residences, not rooms, and you’ll certainly feel at home here. With the largest room sizes in Osaka, even regular rooms feel like junior suites with separate living areas, large walk-in closets and, best of all, floor-to-ceiling windows with dazzling views of the city and the river. Ask for one of the 29 corner suites, especially if you’re visiting during the annual fireworks festival over the summer. You’ll have a seat good enough to sell tickets for. But it’s the details that win you over every day: the softest, most comfortable white pyjama sets (which will soon be embroidered with your initials), plush bathrobes, the beautifully designed jewellery box by the bedside, and the minibar stocked full with local goodies and snacks.
Room service is an elegant affair, but the plates of fruit you return to every afternoon are simple and beautifully presented, as is the tea at nighttime. Above the beds, rooms have beautiful works of local art and intricate woodwork using the Japanese Kumiko method: no nails, no glue, no screws. Lighting is intuitive, the switches are where you want them to be, all the tech works, including Netflix on large TVs in both living areas and bedrooms. There are large marble baths, Aesop toiletries, Toto pots, and amenities like toothpaste and shower caps of excellent quality. It feels like you’re staying in the home of your very wealthy and thoughtful friend with great taste. With 252 rooms including two penthouse suites, the hotel feels both grand and intimate.
The food and drink
The food here is exceptional, and there’s a common thread – an obsession with fine quality and maintaining exclusivity. For instance, purebred Tajima Kuoge Wagyu cow beef, aged a minimum of 36 months, is supplied to a very limited number of restaurants worldwide, including Tsukimi, the Japanese eatery at the hotel. The pedigree is so valued, the chef at its teppanyaki counter can show you a certificate of authenticity. And don’t neglect the steak knives with which you’ll be cutting into this unbelievably juicy and smooth meat; they’re created by Ryusen Japan, a fourth-generation family of craftsmen, once known for samurai sword making, and especially engraved for the restaurant. If all this makes you think Tsukimi is pretentious, it isn’t. It’s just been created with an obsession for making things as beautifully as possible. The space itself is gorgeous: sakura spills out of a large vase; the sushi and teppanyaki counters face the glorious views; the moon-inspired design is reflected in everything from the decor to the chopstick holders. The omakase experience is delightful, run by chef Junichi Yoshida, whose talent is impressive – almost as impressive as the fact that he’s taught himself English in a couple of years via watching YouTube videos (all while raising five children).
Jolie Brasserie serves French cuisine using fine local ingredients (think Kyoto Nanatani duck confit to Kumamoto Akaushi steak frites) and is also the venue for breakfast each morning. The French toast is unmissable. And finally, Peacock Alley, where you’re likely to hang out at any time of the day, happens to serve an excellent and indulgent afternoon tea, with lobster rolls wrapped in buttery brioche, Oscietra caviar atop bamboo charcoal macarons, and an array of handcrafted desserts such as red velvet cheesecake and mango-lychee gâteau. During my April 2025 visit, it’s one of the only places to try the newly released Veuve Cliquot La Grand Dame 2018 vintage. Finally, there’s Canes & Tales, a speakeasy-style cocktail bar (again with glorious views) featuring ace mixologists and some hard-to-find sake.
The neighbourhood
Located in the heart of the Umekita District, it’s right next to the JR Osaka Station, which provides direct access to Kyoto, Kobe and Nara. It’s also a couple of minutes’ walk to the Time Out Market, where an excellent curation of food stalls dishes out favourites including Osaka’s favourite okonomiyaki, as well as kushiage, and an exceptionally popular Yamato beef sando by butcher-chef Nikutoieba Matsuda. You’re also a quick taxi ride to numerous spots popular for sakura sightings, including the Osaka Castle Park, in full bloom on my visit.
The service
Any new hotel will have some edges to smoothen out, but the service is still excellent with staff going out of their way to satisfy you. A host of special experiences that immerse you in the local culture are being readied for launch.
Eco effort
LightStay, Hilton’s award-winning environmental and social impact platform, rigorously tracks and manages energy use, water consumption, waste reduction, and community impact. A Meeting Impact Calculator provides information on the carbon footprint of business meetings and encourages organisers to offset emissions using certified carbon credits. Single-use plastic is reduced thanks to wooden key cards and glass-bottled water.
Accessibility
There are four purposefully designed accessible rooms, thoughtfully equipped to support the comfort, safety, and independence of guests with disabilities. Around the hotel, strategically placed floor markings support intuitive navigation and enhance mobility between social spaces.
Anything left to mention?
Bring your swimming costume! The swimming pool on the 30th floor is open late and has a phenomenal view.
AloJapan.com