Zentis Osaka Appoints New General Manager

OSAKA (June 20, 2023) – As Japanese upscale-lifestyle hotel brand, Zentis, forays into
the international market for the first time since pandemic restrictions put a damper on its
July 2020 debut, seasoned hospitality professional Mikio Akiyama has stepped up as
general manager of the brand’s inaugural property, Zentis Osaka.
Akiyama brings with him more than 25 years ofexperience in the hospitality industry, including adecade with owning company Palace Hotel Co.,
Ltd. His arrival at Zentis marks a homecoming for
the Kansai native, who began his career at HyattRegency Osaka in 1998. The next decade saw him
in various sales positions outside of Japan,
including four years with Accor in Singapore andThailand followed by three years with Hyatt in
China before returning to Bangkok to work for IHG.
“Akiyama’s global perspective and wealth ofexperience with international brands throughout
Asia will prove invaluable as we introduce Zentis tooverseas travelers,” said Daisuke Yoshihara,president of Palace Hotel Co., Ltd.
Akiyama joined the Forbes Five-Star Palace Hotel Tokyo in 2013 as one of its associate
directors of global sales, spearheading the team responsible for outreach in Asia andthe Middle East and handling the high-profile clientele originating from those markets.
Four years later, he transitioned to an associate director of operations role before being
promoted to director of rooms, a three-year stint during which he assisted the luxury
property with steering its way through the pandemic.
Three years since its launch in the domestic market, the Zentis brand has now flung its
doors wide open to international guests as Osaka experiences a renewal in inboundtravel from overseas, following Japan’s lifting of all border restrictions at the beginningof May.
As Palace Hotel Tokyo continues to draw acclaim for its full-service embrace ofdiscerning luxury travelers, Zentis is charting its own course with its upscale, selectservice lifestyle concept aimed at savvy wanderers seeking comfort and design ataccessible price points.
ABOUT ZENTIS OSAKA
Zentis Osaka is the debut property of Palace Hotel Group's Zentis label, a brand withdesigns on raising the bar on select-service hospitality. Sixteen stories tall, thecontemporary build features interiors by internationally renowned UK design firm Tara
Bernerd & Partners and a pedigree that stems from the award-winning Palace HotelTokyo – the independent, homegrown brand that has redefined luxury Japanesehospitality.

Subtly edgy, wonderfully Japanese and naturally resplendent, the 212-room hotel pays
homage to a city known for its industrious charm with an industrial chic look and laidback feel. Osaka's first addition to the bespoke collection of Design Hotels features local
design touches, including shigaraki-yaki bedside tables crafted in the kilns of Shiga,
shodo-inspired wallpaper installations and contemporary works by a local artist.
The dining concept at UPSTAIRZ – the hotel’s lounge, bar and restaurant – wasconceived by a team with a Michelin-star track record and features a menu withJapanese and French influences.
Located where the riverside business area of Dojimahama and the high-end
entertainment district of Kita-shinchi meet and set amid lush greenery, Zentis Osaka
presents a distinctive urban oasis ideal for savvy, design-conscious travelers.

For more information, please visit: www.zentishotels.com/en/osaka/@zentishotels | @tarabernerd | @designhotels | @upstairz_lounge_bar_restaurant

About Design Hotels™
Since 1993, Design Hotels™ has been crafting a portfolio which today includes 300+
privately owned and operated hotels that reflect the vision of independent hoteliers – or“Originals” – with a passion for culturally-rooted hospitality and cutting-edge design andarchitecture. From the pioneering boutique hotels of New York, Paris and London to therising stars of Shanghai, Mexico City and Nairobi, to remote mountaintops, hidden
beaches and off-the-beaten-path escapes, each independent hotel in the Design Hotels
hand-picked portfolio is a wholly unique creative expression, steeped in the history,culture, and the nature of its environment.
Across the world, Design Hotels member properties anchor a community of travelers
united in the pursuit of inspired environments, genuine local culture and transformative,
boundary-pushing adventures. An ever-evolving movement forged on purpose,connectedness and curiosity.
ZENTIS OSAKA MEDIA CONTACTS
USA | Southeast Asia | Australia & New Zealand
Balcony Media Group
Karryn Miller
kmiller@balconymediagroup.com
Japan & All Other Regions
Zentis Osaka
PR Departmentpress@zentishotels.com

Hong Kong & Taiwan
Petrie PR
Linda Petrielinda@petriepr.com