New Zentis Hotel Debuts in Osaka
The property represents a brand-new label under the umbrella of Palace Hotel GroupOSAKA (July 15, 2020) - Zentis Osaka, the first of a new hotel brand with designs on
raising the bar on select-service hospitality, opens today in the bustling port city ofOsaka.
The new, 16-storey build features interior architecture and design by internationallyrenowned UK designer Tara Bernerd of Tara Bernerd & Partners, a dining concept
conceived by a team with a Michelin-star track record, 212 rooms and suites, and acommitment to service that stems from Palace Hotel Tokyo – the homegrown brandthat has redefined Japanese hospitality and remains the only independent Japanesebrand hotel to achieve the prestigious Forbes Five-Star rating year on year.
“Our vision for this new brand is to offer the kind of aesthetic appeal cultivated byleading hotels, masterfully paired with services that cater especially well to theessential needs of savvy, independent travelers,” said Daisuke Yoshihara, presidentof Palace Hotel Co., Ltd. “Getting this balance right presents a real opportunity and webelieve we have something truly fresh and new to offer.”With that approach in mind, Zentis has embraced the Japanese aptitude for space
utilization, opting for more sustainable dimensions when it comes to its
accommodations – which range from 25-square-meter (270-square-foot) Studio rooms
to 57-square-meter (615-square-foot) Suites. In deference to simplicity and sensibility,each guestroom’s layout draws inspiration from the modular design of Japanese bento
boxes, giving way to clearly defined sections that seamlessly fit together for optimum
flow and functionality.
The fresh palette throughout includes the warm, natural shades of light woods pairedwith pops of color, while brush strokes inspired by the artfulness of Japanesecalligraphy draw attention above each bed and add a local touch to each guestroom.
The suites, both situated on the topmost floor, feature entirely separate living andsleeping spaces as well as a cozy dining area. Entry-level Studios are furnished withking-size beds and come outfitted with 4K TVs (equipped with Apple TV 4K), rain
showers and plush bath linens from Imabari while each Suite and Corner Studio alsocome with a soaking tub and can be combined with an adjoining Studio to create a
two-bedroom unit.
The hotel’s contemporary interiors embrace both Osaka’s urban landscape andindustrial heritage, paying homage to a city known for its boisterous charm. A central
staircase carved out of blue limestone makes a design statement immediately upon
arrival with its sculptural asymmetry – ingeniously incorporating a bench, a counterand shelves on three of its sides. Nature’s calm color palette extends throughout thepublic spaces, with soft, warm tones and textures intermingling with timber beams,
exposed brickwork and structural ironmongery to give a distinctive, industrial-chic lookand feel to them.
With the hotel set in a garden of its own, the feeling of being in an urban oasis is further
accentuated by the interplay between the interiors and the green space beyondthrough the incorporation of a double-sided fireplace in the lobby as well as floor-toceiling windows in the public spaces. Contemporary art produced on traditional
Japanese washi paper adds another layer of design in the lobby-level lounge that isexclusive to guests and also at the bar one floor above.
Envisaged with the design-conscious traveler in mind, the new property holds acoveted spot as a member of Design Hotels™ – a curated selection of independent
hotels with a passion for genuine hospitality, cultural authenticity, thought-provoking
design and architecture. The addition of Zentis Osaka to its portfolio reflects thecollective’s debut in Japan’s third largest city.
UPSTAIRZ, the hotel’s all-day dining venue, commands much of the second floor andis shaping up as a new foodie destination in the city already famous for its culinary
culture. The 116-seat, 250-square-meter (2,690-square-foot) eatery encompasses amain dining room with open kitchen, a lounge for light nibbles and afternoon tea, acovered outdoor terrace, and a bar serving everything from seasonal cocktails to fineJapanese whiskies.
Executive Chef Shinya Otsuchihashi, who has conceived all of the menus, honed hisskills in both France and Japan before taking the helm at the Michelin-starred
CRAFTALE restaurant in Tokyo, which remains as his base. UPSTAIRZ’s fare draws
inspiration from Japanese and French cuisine and focuses on local, seasonal
ingredients.
Also located on the hotel’s second floor is the fitness center, outfitted with Life Fitness
equipment and accessible to guests 24 hours a day.
Zentis Osaka is situated where the picturesque, riverside area of Dojimahama and thehigh-end business entertainment district of Kita-shinchi meet. Nakanoshima, an islet
that’s home to some of the city’s premium attractions – including the Osaka Science
Museum and the National Museum of Art, Osaka – is a leisurely three-minute stroll
from the hotel while Osaka Station, the city’s main rail hub, is a mere five-minute taxiride away. The two major airports that service Osaka – Kansai International Airportand Itami Airport (Osaka International Airport) – are located less than an hour’s driveaway.
Rates start at JPY 18,300 for a Studio room.
Website: www.zentishotels.com/en/osaka/@zentishotels | @tarabernerd | @designhotels | @upstairz_lounge_bar_restaurant

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