The 212-key Zentis Osaka is now welcoming guests.

It is the first property in a new hotel brand from Palace Hotel Co., Ltd., the company behind the Palace Hotel Tokyo, the only independent Japanese-brand hotel to receive a Forbes’ Five-Star rating year after year.

“Our vision for this new brand is to offer the kind of aesthetic appeal cultivated by leading hotels, masterfully paired with services that cater especially well to the essential needs of savvy, independent travellers,” said Daisuke Yoshihara, president, Palace Hotel Co. Ltd. “Getting this balance right presents a real opportunity and we believe we have something truly fresh and new to offer.”

Located where Osaka’s riverside area of Dojimahama meets the high-end business entertainment district of Kita-shinchi, the new, 16-storey build features interior architecture and design by top UK designer Tara Bernerd of Tara Bernerd & Partners and a dining concept conceived by a team with a Michelin-star track record.

Its accommodation options, which range in size from 270 square feet (studio room) to 615 square feet (suite), embrace the Japanese aptitude for space utilization, simplicity and sustainability. Inspired by the modular design of Japanese bento boxes, each guestroom has clearly defined sections that fit together for optimum flow and functionality. The colour palette used in the rooms features warm, natural shades of light woods with pops of colour and Japanese caligraphy-inspired brush stroke accents.

The suites, both situated on the top floor, have separate living and sleeping spaces as well as a cozy dining area. Entry-level studio rooms are furnished with king-size beds and outfitted with 4K TVs (equipped with Apple TV 4K), rain showers and plush bath linens from Imabari. Suite and corner studios also come with a soaking tub and can be combined with an adjoining studio to create a two-bedroom unit.

Other design elements and amenities include:

• public spaces featuring soft, warm tones and textures combined with timber beams, exposed brickwork and structural ironmongery;
• a central staircase carved out of blue limestone, which incorporates a bench, a counter and shelves on three of its sides;
• a double-sided lobby fireplace;
• floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing the exterior garden, in which the property is set;
• contemporary art produced on traditional Japanese washi paper;
• and a 24/7 fitness centre outfitted with Life Fitness equipment.

UpStairz, the hotel’s all-day dining venue, features menus conceived by executive chef Shinya Otsuchihashi, who honed his skills in France and Japan before taking the helm at the Michelin-starred Craftale restaurant in Tokyo, which remains his base.

Taking up the majority of the property’s second floor, the 116-seat, 2,690-square-foot eatery has a main dining room with open kitchen, a lounge for light nibbles and afternoon tea, a covered outdoor terrace, and a bar serving everything from seasonal cocktails to fine Japanese whiskies.

Created with the design-conscious traveller in mind, Zentis Osaka is a member of Design Hotels™, a curated selection of independent hotels combining genuine hospitality and cultural authenticity with thought-provoking design and architecture. It is the first Osaka property in the Design Hotels portfolio.