Christopher Q.
Google
Hotel Zentis Osaka — a heartfelt, almost Zen-like recommendation
I arrived at Hotel Zentis Osaka on a warm afternoon in early August. Inside, the place feels as if it were imported straight from Scandinavia: pale woods, clean lines, and soft, natural tones. In the lobby, the staff helped me find an excellent sushi restaurant just ten minutes away – an impeccable recommendation.
But it’s the bar team that truly forms the heart of the Zentis – led by two remarkable professionals, Nori (ノリ) and Yūri (ユウリ). Upon my first visit around 5 p.m., they created a cocktail perfectly tailored to my taste, and each evening thereafter greeted me with the same sense of attentiveness, refined warmth, lively humor, and a genuine feeling of friendship.
Every night, Nori and Yūri asked about my day’s adventures; together we talked about life in Europe and Japan, about work, aesthetics, and the quiet art of perfecting a drink. This bar – and the people behind it – are not just a recommendation, but an experience that captures the true spirit of Osaka.
After a day in the blazing inferno of Yumeshima – the site of Expo 2025 – I had never slept more soundly than back at the Zentis, whether in Osaka or Kyoto. No wonder I found myself returning a week later. As you can tell, I truly love this hotel.