LIVING OUTSIDE THE BOX
Each guestroom’s layout draws inspiration from the modular design of Japanese bento boxes, giving way to clearly defined sections that seamlessly fit together.
It is said that the word “Bento” originated from the Azuchi- Momoyama period and evoloved into a luxury item for the upper class in the early days of modern Japan. Today, bento is no longer seen merely as a portable lunch container, but also a piece of art that is composed by different combinations of colours and shapes from inside and out. Imagine a hotel guestroom’s layout drawing inspiration from the modular design of Japanese bento boxes, you will be surprised by its unique beauty and charm.
Representing a brand-new label under the umbrella of luxury hotel group Palace Hotel Tokyo, Zentis made its debut in Osaka. The 16-storey building situated where the picturesque, riverside area of Dojimahama and the highend business entertainment district of Kita-shinchi meet, with Kansai International Airport and Itami Airport (Osaka International Airport) located less than an hour’s drive away, and the city’s main rail hub just a five-minute ride away.
Valuing design, the Zentis Osaka invited internationally renowned UK designer Tara Bernerd of Tara Bernerd & Partners to lead the interior architecture and design. Nature’s calm colour palette extends throughout the public spaces, with soft, warm tones and textures intermingling with timber beams, exposed brick and structural ironmongery to give a distinctive, industrial-chic look and feel to them.
The Zentis invited internationally renowned UK designer Tara Bernerd of Tara Bernerd & Partners to lead the interior architecture and design.
The central staircase is one of the design statements of the hotel. Carved out of blue limestone, it embraces the Japanese aptitude for space utilization – ingeniously incorporating a bench, a counter and shelves on three of its sides. The floor-to-ceiling windows in the public spaces provides excellent lighting, at the same time, giving a peek at the garden outside, making the guests feel as if they are at an urban oasis.
All hotel suites are situated on the topmost floor, whereas the 212 rooms and suites are spacious and bright. The fresh palette throughout includes the warm, natural shades of light woods paired with pops of color, while brush strokes inspired by the artfulness of Japanese calligraphy draw attention above each bed and add a local touch to each guestroom.
Mr Jun Yasui, General Manager of Zentis Osaka
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, making it a unique design. Entry-level Studios are furnished with king-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 also come with a soaking tub and can be combined with an adjoining Studio to create a two-bedroom unit.
For dining, it is hosted by UPSTAIRZ, the hotel’s all-day dining venue. The 116-seat, 2,690-square-foot eatery encompasses a covered outdoor terrace. The atmosphere of the restaurant varies as the sun goes down, you can spend a leisurely afternoon tea time here, and come back for a relaxing night with your friends and a few drinks by the bar.
The Executive Chef of UPSTAIRZ – Shinya Otsuchihashi, who has conceived all of the menus, focuses on local, seasonal ingredients. He honed his skills in both France and Japan before taking the helm at the Michelin-starred CRAFTALE restaurant in Tokyo. With his exquisite culinary skills, guests are guaranteed a spectacular dining experience.
From then till now, bento remains serving as a “tool” to connect people, delivering the love behind the delicacies prepared. Through a humanised design – each guestroom’s layout that draws inspiration from the modular design of Japanese bento boxes, Zentis Osaka enhances the living experience of guests and continues to raise the bar on select-service hospitality.
The atmosphere of the restaurant varies as the sun goes down, you can spend a leisurely afternoon tea time here, and come back for a relaxing night with your friends and a few drinks by the bar.
Zentis Osaka
1-4-26 Dojimahama, Kita-ku Osaka 530-0004, Japan
www.zentishotels.com/en/osaka
+81 647 960 111
Vol. 14