Zentis Osaka’s location between the Dojimahama business district and the lively Kitashinchi entertainment area balances work and play perfectly — as do its design and facilities. Industrial-chic décor — lots of concrete, exposed beams and aged leather — runs through the remote-worker-friendly communal areas, guest lounge, Upstairz lounge, bar and restaurant, and the 212 inventively designed rooms. Staff are friendly and helpful, always happy to explain the provenance of an ingredient, recommend a bar in Kitashinchi, or suggest a jogging route around Nakanoshima.
Overall score 8/10
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Rooms and suites
Score 8/10
Rooms are spread across the hotel’s 16 floors and all were cleverly designed to maximise space. Their structure is inspired by neatly segmented bento boxes, with subtle visual cues — rugs, screens, unenclosed clothes rails — dividing rooms into several distinct sections. The resulting sense of roominess is emphasised by floor-to-ceiling windows and the use of light colours with concrete, natural woods, and fabrics in shades of white and warm yellow.
All rooms have bespoke furnishings and pieces commissioned from local artists, including Shigaraki-yaki (a style of pottery made in Shiga) bedside tables, calligraphy-style murals over the beds, and modern yellow chaise lounges. They all have both handheld and rainfall showers, Imabari towels and organic toiletries.
Most of the rooms are classed as Studios and have king-size beds. The remaining ones are mostly Corner Studios, which are larger and have an option of oversize king or twin beds. These also have a large tub in the bathroom, and space for an additional rollaway bed. On the top floor are two suites, each with a spacious living room, two TVs, a big bath and views over Nakanoshima and to Osaka Castle.
Food and drink
Score 8/10
All of the hotel’s dining options are on the first floor, in the large Upstairz Lounge, Bar & Restaurant. It seats 116 in total, encompassing a covered outdoor terrace, a lounge area with sofas and armchairs, a bar, a semi-private dining room for up to eight people and the restaurant, where you can see the chefs at work in the open kitchen.
Rather than a buffet, the hotel offers three different breakfast set menus. In addition to a Japanes-inspired choice, there are two versions of the Upstairz breakfast, with chef-selected dishes; an American breakfast with silky scrambled eggs; and a vegan breakfast (gluten-free available), which includes a very flavourful superfood salad. The lunch and dinner menus largely draw inspiration from Japanese, French and Italian cuisines, and feature seasonal local ingredients wherever possible. The set dinner menu — with wine and sake pairings — features six courses, which change to reflect the season. Each dish is introduced with the provenance of the ingredients, such as a caprese with mozzarella from Hokkaido, basil from Hakata (Fukuoka), and outstanding Shodoshima olive oil.
Even if you’re dining elsewhere, it’s worth visiting the bar for its whisky selection and signature cocktails, which are arranged on the menu from weakest to strongest. The Riverside Garden cocktail (gin, elderflower, fresh peppery shiso leaves, lemon and soda) is particularly good.
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What else is there?
Score 7/10
The lobby sets the tone for the rest of the hotel. As well as books that showcase the design focus —Frank Lloyd Wright, Bauhaus — you’ll often find exhibitions of local artists’ work on display. In the afternoon and evening, the space is suffused with a bespoke fragrance.
On the same floor is the Guest Lounge, a welcoming space with a long cypress table, large grey sofas and a few booths with banquettes. The modern fireplace is dual-sided, so that people sitting out on the terrace can also enjoy the cosy effect in autumn and winter.
One floor up, you’ll find the 24-hour gym and Room 001, a delightfully boutique laundry space. There are six self-service washing machines and dryers, which dispense a natural detergent from Osaka-based Kimura Soap, manufactured using a manual process since 1924. There’s also an iron and ironing board, plus books and magazines to read while you wait for your laundry, a small kitchen space, a shoe-shine station (book ahead) and a fragrance bar so you can give yourself a spritz before leaving. The modern art, leather chairs and potted plants create an elevated ambiance, all infused with that fresh laundry scent.
Where is it?
Score 8/10
Zentis Osaka is in the Kita (north) area of the city, between Osaka-Umeda station (a major transport hub) and the River Dojima. Alongside the river is the Dojimahama business district, and on the hotel’s other side is Kitashinchi, a high-end entertainment district with more than 3,000 eating and drinking establishments — mostly elegant bars and members’ clubs.
It’s less than ten minutes’ walk to Kitashinchi, Nishi-Umeda, Watanabebashi and Oebashi stations. Nakanoshima is also just a few minutes away on foot — a river island that contains several of Osaka’s biggest attractions, such as the Nakanoshima Museum of Art, Nakanoshima Children’s Book Forest and several historic buildings. Around 15 minutes’ walk away is Osaka Castle, which is especially lovely when surrounded by blossoming cherry trees in spring.
Price room-only doubles from £131
Restaurant mains from £15
Family-friendly N
Accessible N
Rebecca Hallett was a guest of Zentis Osaka (zentishotels.com)
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