Escape from the narrow quarters…Broadened room
The central location of Nanba plus city view
The downtown hotel with Thai-style hospitality
“I like everything in Japan, but there’s only one thing that gets caught.”
Traveling to Japan has good food, friendly people, and many things to see. This is why Koreans are constantly visiting. But there is always something to be desired. It’s a small room. It’s a breathtaking size even if it’s the same price. If you’re with friends or family, you feel sorry for the person who made the reservation.
It’s more sensitive, especially if it’s a family trip. I made a reservation for my parents, but if the room is small, complaints follow. It also affects the condition of the next day. This is why the choice of accommodation is important.
So, as an alternative, foreign chain hotels that have entered Japan are rising.
사진 확대 Sentara Grand Hotel Osaka Corner Room / Photograph = Moon Jae-yeon Travel + Reporter
Thai hotel operator Centara introduced its first “Centara Grand Hotel Osaka” in Japan in July 2023. Centara Hotels and Resorts is a subsidiary of Thailand’s largest private company, Central Group. It operates or develops more than 90 hotels in 10 countries, including Thailand, Japan, Vietnam, and the Maldives.
Like a hotel from Thailand, the rooms are spacious and well-located. Perhaps that’s why I’ve been getting a lot of choices from Korean travelers as a family recently. I visited ‘Centara Grand Hotel Osaka’ here, which is rising as an escape from a narrow room.
a breathtaking room
사진 확대 Centara Grand Hotel Osaka Deluxe Corner Room / Photo = Centara Hotel and Resort
The key to this hotel is location and room size. There are four types of rooms: deluxe, corner, family, and suite. The deluxe room is between 27 and 30 square meters (8 to 9 pyeong). You can choose King or Twin.
Corner rooms with wide views of Osaka are popular among Korean travelers. The area of the corner room is 40 square meters (12 pyeong). There are a total of 26 rooms with large windows in two directions.
사진 확대 Stretching my legs from the sofa bed, I feel like the Osaka panorama is under my feet. /Photo = Moon Jae-yeon Travel + Reporter
Osaka is generally lower in height than Tokyo. Even if you go up to the 30th floor, you will see an observatory-like view. If you stand on the corner, you don’t have to look for an observatory separately. From the bed, you can see the panoramic view of Osaka at a glance.
The TV is attached to the window, making the scene even more dramatic. It’s such a waste of time to sleep. I can’t easily close my eyes because I want to see the scenery even a little more.
When you open your eyes in the morning, you will see the sun-infused Osaka landscape. It is recommended not to close the curtains at night. The desire to sleep for another five minutes disappears. It’s hard to close your eyes again in front of this landscape. It’s a wake-up call in itself.
사진 확대 Sentara Grand Hotel Osaka Corner Room Night View / Photo = Moon Jae-yeon Travel + Reporter
There are a total of 515 rooms. I went from the sixth floor to the 31st floor. It is divided into three sections according to the floor. The 6th to 15th floors are ‘U Standard Floor’, the 16th to 25th floors are ‘Ray Premium Floor’, and the 26th to 31st floors are ‘Miyabi Club Floor’. Miyabi Club Floor Guests can use the club lounge.
All rooms are equipped with large windows, bathtubs, rain showers, Nespresso machines, and eco-friendly amenities.
사진 확대 Sentara Grand Hotel Osaka Lobby / Photograph = Moon Jae-yeon Travel + Reporter
Location is also a strength. The hotel is located in the center of Namba. It is good to enjoy shopping, food, and entertainment.
Next to the hotel is Namba Parks. It is a five-minute walk to Namba City and Takashimaya Department Store. It’s about a 15-minute walk to Dotonbori. The road is simple, so it is suitable for a night walk or a morning running course. There is less burden even if you carry your luggage after shopping.
Food and Beverage Enjoyed in Osaka View
사진 확대 Smoke & Spin / Photograph = Moon Jae-yeon Travel + Reporter
The high-rise space that takes advantage of the view also stands out. There is a club lounge on the 32nd floor. On the 33rd floor, the rooftop lounge “Smoke & Spin” is operated. You can enjoy cocktails with the night view.
Reflecting that Namba Parks was a baseball stadium site in the past, baseball and music concepts were added. DJ performances are held on Friday evenings and weekends. In particular, DJs will reside from 20:00 to 23:00 on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Electronic and house music flows to create a club-like atmosphere.
사진 확대 Kunsei Kitchen / Photograph = Moon Jae-yeon Travel + Reporter
On the same floor, there is also a calm space that feels different from a rooftop. Fine Dining is “International Brasserie KUNSEI”. The concept is a smokehouse meal. It presents smoked dishes centered on meat and seafood.
Thai-style hospitality service
사진 확대 Sentara Grand Hotel Osaka Breakfast Buffet / Photo = Moon Jae-yeon Travel + Reporter
Centa, a Thai brand, contains Thai hospitality in the hotel.
Differentiation is also evident in restaurants. The breakfast buffet operates a separate Thai food section as well as Western and Japanese food.
사진 확대 Centara Grand Hotel Osaka Tuk-tuk service / Photo = Moon Jae-yeon Travel + Reporter
At the entrance of the restaurant on the first floor, there is a tuk-tuk seen on the street in Thailand. If Mario Kart in downtown Osaka catches the eye, it is an opportunity to ride something more. Thai-style tuk-tuk meeting in the middle of Osaka can attract the attention of everyone passing by.
It’s like a mix of Koreans riding a tuk-tuk in a Thai hotel in Osaka, Japan, but it’s strangely fun. Especially on good weather days, you can feel the wind as it is, so I recommend you to ride it at least once.
사진 확대 Spa Senvaree / Photograph = Moon Jae-yeon Travel + Reporter
The hotel also has a spa called “Cenvaree.” It is a brand known worldwide for its clean facilities and skilled therapeutics. It operates a variety of programs such as Thai massage and facial expressions. It also has a fitness center.
It is a place that combines the wellness philosophy of the East and the West to aim for the restoration of the body, mind, and mind. You can relieve fatigue with traditional tie massage and foot massage, and experience deep rest with various treatments.
The hours of operation are from 10:00 to 22:00. It has four treatment rooms, four tie massage beds, and three foot massage chairs.
AloJapan.com