I spent a night at Patina Osaka, Capella's sister brand. The design, staff, and food were excellent, but the hotel sits beside a highway, so many rooms are noisy.
So, Patina is to Capella as Janu is to Aman?
Have you (or anyone else) tried Janu Tokyo yet, or should I submit that Reader Story for your consideration as well? Bah!
I stayed at Janu Tokyo and yes, that is the best comparison for Patina/Capella. I liked the hotel and the rooms are huge, it has a great spa, and the restaurants are really buzzy. One side has great views of Tokyo Tower. However, I had heard how great the location was because it's walkable to Roppongi. While that's true, and I prefer that area to Chuo since there's more to do/restaurants etc, it's set within a huge luxury shopping complex and I really didn't like that. For one, you're surrounded by Hermes, Chanel, LV and so on and could be literally anywhere in the world. It's also such a maze and just leaving the hotel our first morning took us forever. Staff pointed us in different directions for walking out and both got us more confused (once we got it, this was no longer an issue, but still a long walk just to leave the complex). I found the location off putting enough that I wouldn't stay again. Also the spa is a membership club and can get really busy with their members.
It looks like an excellent city hotel. I don't know if it is the best in the world though. I will check it out sometime soon.
“I don’t want to be overly dramatic here.” LOL.
Ugh, avocado toast in Japan?! (Of all places) :'(
"I’d recommend Patina Osaka, though I’d also say it didn’t blow me."
I think Ford would be upset if it did.
Noise and views aside, a beautiful property.
Best hotel in the world? Ooooook.
Ben, for your Japanese hotel reviews do you mind noting how firm the bed is? They are notorious for preferring firm beds (Andaz Tokyo bed in particular was a marble slab more firm than the carpeted floor, ask me how I know) which can make or break a stay.
@ Super -- Yep! I tend to prefer less firm, and found the Bulgari Tokyo and Waldorf Astoria Osaka had very soft beds, while the Patina Osaka had a fairly soft bed. None were hard.
Nice hotels will throw a thin duvet over the mattress and put the bedding on top - makes the hard Japanese mattresses much nicer
What happened to the design of the home page of this website ? Now it wastes so much space on both sides.
really appreciate you tweaking your trip to fit this one in per my recommendation Ben, it's why you're the best.
Also really interesting seeing some of the flaws here. Definitely shattered the perfect idea I had in my head of this place based on pictures! Design is still gorgeous though
Congratulations, You’ve been upgraded!!!
from your quiet room to the slightly larger room next to the highway!
Sounds familiar….
Great review and so glad to read. I've always thought it was such a strange location despite being next to the hotel, and seems you're in agreement. Can't imagine staying here unless rates are significantly better than the other choices in town, and I say that as someone who loves Capella.
Prime example how rankings are / can be bought or selectively influenced. If this is the REALLY the WORLD’S Best Hotel, then we all must also believe that the EARTH IS FLAT.
One of the best hotels in the world? Ok? It certainly looks decent. Like an Edition Hotel came to Osaka. But I would hardly imagine this as ranking anywhere near the top. Such a strange thing these rankings. I am certainly not rushing there anytime soon.
I stayed there last year when it just opened. So top notch!
Note that an onsen requires an actual source of heated mineral water. A skyscraper hotel isn’t going to have an onsen.
Also, ¥8000 for lunch? Have we traveled back to the late 1980s? Ouch.
Typically I like to book a one bedroom suite when I travel. This property’s one bedroom suites are basically a large jr suite as there is no separation between bedroom and living room unless you are booking their highest category suites. That and the noise from a highway means Four Seasons is a better choice for me despite smaller square footage.
Ben, you mention there’s a steam room. As far as I know, the steam room is only open to women, whilst the sauna and cold plunge are only open to men. Is there now a steam room in the men’s area as well? That would be a big plus, because I hate hotels that don’t provide the same facilities for men and women.