Osaka Marriott Miyako Hotel, Osaka, Japan

Perched high above the city in Japan’s tallest residential building, the Osaka Marriott Miyako Hotel is the definition of opulent city living, and perfect for any stay - especially a romantic getaway.

• Location: The upmarket Abeno Ward in Osaka.
• Accommodations: Ranging from a superior room, to a comfortable deluxe suite, a seriously impressive executive suite, and the uber-romantic imperial suite, there’s a range of choices to suit most budgets. What is guaranteed, though, are incredible views of the vast cityscape which every visitor will receive.
• Dining options: On the 19th floor - also the lobby level - there are quick options including Cooka, where you can grab a delicious western or Japanese breakfast, and Lounge+ and Bar+, which are perfect for a coffee or a drink in the afternoon or evening. The real star of the show, however, is on the top floor – the ZK restaurant. With breathtaking views of Osaka, diners are treated to a range of cuisines cooked on the table Teppanyaki style.
• What else is there: Visiting the top floor observation deck is a must, with the reward being uninterrupted view of sprawling Osaka from the distant hills to the bustling port in the west. Within the building is a huge department store, offering basically every major luxury brand available for your perusal and purchase, and nestled in the middle of the building is the Abeno Harukas Art Museum, which boasts some of Japan’s most important cultural art. The hotel also has a fully equipped fitness centre with a view.
• What’s nearby: A convenient feature of the hotel and the Abeno Harukas building is that one of the biggest metro stations in the city is located in the basement. From there you can get anywhere in Osaka within minutes. The hotel is also easily accessible from Kansai International Airport by bus (approx. 55 minute trip) or express train (approx. 30 minute trip).
• Why go: Osaka is a city unlike any other in Japan. Both a major business hub, and a haven for the ultra-fashionable and effortlessly cool Japanese youth, it has its very own vibe far removed from the intensity and rush of Tokyo. The flashy and brand new Osaka Marriott Miyako exemplifies the tech-forward mentality and opulence of the city. 

The Space

The Osaka Marriott Miyako occupies floors 38 to 57 in the 60 floor Abeno Harukas building, the tallest skyscraper in Japan. Modern, stylish, but not obnoxiously opulent, it’s a luxury hotel which ticks all the boxes for what a traveller would need. Soaring high above Osaka, it is easy to assume that it has the best views of any hotel in Japan, and fast and numerous elevators mean you’ll rarely be waiting to quickly descend from the 50th floor into the hustle of the subway station on the basement floor. High-end and modest décor, with a slight Japanese flair, make you feel instantly at ease and welcome.

Where We Stayed

Our home for for three nights was an Upper Floor Superior room on the 49th floor which boasted the most incredible views of any hotel I’ve ever experienced. The room was large enough to feel comfortable, with ample room for two, and had a pristine bathroom complete with a generous bath and a huge shower. The Marriott team have everything covered in the space, including a TV offering both Japanese and English programming, a top of the range pod-espresso machine, a large mini-bar, and a beautiful tea set for two. The option of choosing between room clothes (more comfortable than any others I’d worn during my trip in Japan) and a delightfully soft dressing gown was welcomed with open arms; it’s sometimes nice to whip around the room in the dressing gown rather than ill-fitting room clothes not built for my lanky Australian frame. The space also included a two small tables and a comfortable sofa which was perfect for perching on with your significant other, to adore the cityscape stretching beyond the floor to ceiling windows. 

UltimateTravelMagazine.com Loves 

• The superb views - from literally everywhere.
• The warm and efficient Japanese hospitality.
• The central location. 

Insider Tips  

• In the department store, check out Muji, which sells everything from pillows to alarm clocks, and slippers to face moisturiser, all nicely designed to Muji’s Japanese minimalist standards, and great for souvenirs.
• If you’re staying for more than one night, and you’re going to get around by train, buy an ICOCA card at the train station from one of the ticket machines near the gates to save time and money.

The Details

The Osaka Marriott Miyako Hotel is located at 1-1-43 Abeno-juji, Abeno-ku, Osaka, www.marriott.com.au/hotels/travel/osamc-osaka-marriott-miyako-hotel/.

About Our Guest Writer

David Simmons is a young traveller who prefers to hit up the local art gallery or underground bar over the traditional tourist hot spots. With a major passion for music and scoring a bargain on a vintage garment you can probably find him digging through crates of vinyl and racks of second hand clothes hoping to find the perfect souvenir to take back to Adelaide. Follow him on Instagram at @davvvvo.