While they all try, very few central Osaka hotels below the ultra-luxury range can convincingly present themselves as an oasis of calm in the midst of the ceaseless urban cacophony. Zentis Osaka pulls off said feat effortlessly. Walking past the patch of lush greenery at the entrance and into the compact ground-level lobby with its natural, earthy hues and meditative lighting accomplishes an instant – almost disorienting – separation from the neon-lit, town car-filled streets of buzzy Kita-Shinchi.
That feeling of having stepped through a portal is accentuated when you make your way past the lobby’s show-stopping staircase to the adjacent guests-only lounge, complete with a fireplace and decorated with quirky art and crafts inspired by the city. Beyond the wall-size windows lies a small but inviting garden-style terrace, where you can bring a local microbrew or soft drink from the lounge and kick back while admiring plump hydrangeas in June and foliage sparkling in red and orange come autumn.
Once you locate the discreetly placed elevator call button and make your way higher up in the skinny 16-storey building, it’s time to see your digs. Zentis Osaka has 212 rooms – including two 57sqm suites – with the 25sqm Studio being the standard offering. Creative layout solutions that minimise storage space, modern-minimalist design, and a calm but playful colour scheme incorporating yellows and blues combine to make the rooms feel airier than the numbers suggest.
Still, if you have the opportunity, go the extra mile by opting for a 32sqm Corner Studio. The floor-to-ceiling windows in ours looked out over the twin Dojima and Tosabori rivers and the island of Nakanoshima, taking in ample natural light during the day while providing a brilliantly illuminated snapshot of the pulsating city at night – a view we enjoyed wrapped in a plush Imabari towel after a soak in the room’s generously dimensioned tub.
Among a solid line-up of amenities, including a small 24-hour gym with cardio equipment and a dual adjustable pulley machine, we’d be remiss not to mention Room 001. Best described as a hipster laundrette, this multifunctional hideaway is where you can do your washing while perusing an array of artisanal fragrances, flipping through books on Osaka’s architecture or getting your loafers polished by a member of the city’s Shoeshine Guild.
Sustenance with a side of style is offered at in-house restaurant and bar Upstairz, where French-Japanese fusion cuisine shares the menu with casual choices like burgers and pasta. Breakfast options include Japanese, American and vegan spreads.
Neighbourhood
Located just south of the eternally buzzy Osaka Station, Kita-Shinchi was once one of the country’s most storied red-light districts. It transformed into a glitzy nightlife hub during the postwar ‘economic miracle’ decades and now exudes grown-up charm. Kita-Shinchi is replete with exclusive restaurants, bars and clubs frequented by Osaka’s movers and shakers – the kind of spots where you’re always in danger of feeling underdressed – but more approachable establishments are easy to find throughout the adjacent Umeda area.
Nearby
Capi Italian-trained chef Daiki Ogawa’s innovative ingredient pairings make every meal at this spectacular fusion restaurant a parade of surprises.
Ohatsu Tenjin A 1,300-year-old shrine in the heart of Umeda, known for attracting young couples praying for blessings in their relationships. Hosts a flea market on the first Friday of every month.
Osaka Ekimae Buildings These four interconnected 1970s office blocks hide a sprawling basement level that’s a treasure trove of tiny bars and hole-in-the-wall eateries.