Exceptional Stay at Osaka Station Hotel - Outstanding Service Beyond Expectations||||I recently had the pleasure of staying at the Osaka Station Hotel, and I can confidently say it exceeded all my expectations. From start to finish, every aspect of my experience was flawless, with service that truly went above and beyond.||||Early Arrival & Onsen Experience||||We arrived very early at 9am after an overnight international flight, hoping for early check-in but understanding that rooms likely wouldn't be ready yet. While our room wasn't available (which was completely understandable given how early we arrived), the hotel staff provided an incredible solution that turned our jet-lagged arrival into a highlight of our trip.||||They offered us access to their OFURO (hotel onsen), which was exactly what we needed after our long flight. Our family was able to enjoy both the hot bath and cold plunge, followed by refreshing showers - a complete rejuvenation experience that was far better than simply waiting in the lobby. It was such a thoughtful and generous gesture that immediately set the tone for our stay.||||To our surprise, by 11am - right after our relaxing onsen session - they informed us that our room was ready! Even though we had told them the spa access was more than enough and we were happy to return at the standard 3pm check-in time, they had worked to accommodate us as quickly as possible.||||Exceptional Breakfast Experience||||The breakfast was absolutely exceptional and deserves special mention. While the selections may not be as vast as some hotels in this range, we would choose the Osaka Station Hotel's quality over quantity any day. The highlight was watching the sushi chef prepare fresh sushi right before your eyes - an incredible experience that our kids especially loved. The high-quality Japanese-style breakfast options were authentic and delicious.||||However, what truly stole the show was the French toast, made fresh to perfection and served with local strawberry sauce on the side. The pastries were on another level entirely - we felt transported to Paris with their exceptional quality and craftsmanship. The fruit station, while having a more limited selection, featured exotic and premium options including perfectly ripe Japanese melon, Japanese plum, and many other exotic fruits that were a delightful discovery.||||Our children gravitated toward the sushi and bakery stations most, and it became a morning adventure for the whole family to explore these culinary highlights.||||Outstanding Room & Amenities||||The accommodation itself was impeccable in every way. As Titanium Bonvoy members, we were graciously upgraded to the 37th floor (the hotel's top floor is 38th), which provided us with stunning views of the city. The room design was particularly impressive, featuring a creative sliding partition in the vanity area that allowed for either privacy or openness depending on our needs.||||The room was meticulously clean and came with an exceptional complimentary mini bar stocked with sake, beer, soda water, orange juice, and natural water. The natural water was thoughtfully replenished daily. We were impressed by the abundance of electrical outlets and numerous USB and USB-C ports conveniently located at the bedside and living area table - more than enough to charge all our family's devices simultaneously.||||The bathroom was exceptional with high-pressure water that made for refreshing showers. The body wash, shampoo, and conditioner were clearly high-quality products that felt luxurious to use. What truly impressed us was the attention to amenities - not only were they replenished daily, but the hotel provided each of our children with their own daily kids' amenities package. This included room slippers, toothbrush, toothpaste, shower sponges shaped like adorable yellow ducks, and many other thoughtful touches that made our children feel special and welcome.||||The bed was the perfect combination of soft and firm, providing excellent support. Even when sleeping with our children, we didn't feel any movement at all, which allowed the entire family to sleep peacefully throughout our stay.||||Hotel Design & Facilities||||The hotel's design elements were truly remarkable. The lobby design was immaculate, cleverly resembling train cars that perfectly complemented the station location. Throughout the hotel, the interior design elements were clean and thoughtful, creating a cohesive and elegant atmosphere.||||The fitness gym exceeded our expectations - it was spacious and equipped with high-quality equipment including free weights, treadmills, stair machines, leg press machines, and more. It's definitely a high-quality gym that fitness enthusiasts will appreciate. The location couldn't be more convenient for accessing transportation and exploring the city.||||Final Thoughts||||What truly sets this hotel apart is their exceptional customer service and willingness to find creative solutions. The OFURO access for early arrivals shows they genuinely care about their guests' comfort and experience. Combined with their commitment to culinary excellence over sheer variety, this level of attention to detail makes it a standout choice.||||I would absolutely stay here again and recommend it without hesitation to anyone visiting Osaka, especially those arriving on early international flights and food enthusiasts who appreciate quality...
Read moreWe stayed at this hotel for 11 nights and had a wonderful experience. It’s now in the top three for the best places I’ve stayed at.
The hotel is still brand new. The rooms are beautiful, tastefully decorated, and very spacious. We got a corner suite and we really enjoyed it. The amenity kits were refilled daily, including organic face masks, Japanese cosmetics, bath salts, comfy pijamas, and more, on top of the usual little things that every luxury hotel offers. The fridge was refilled every single day with complimentary beverages like sake and beer, and tons of water restocked every day. We also enjoyed the Osaka dash tea and the rice crackers, as well as the chocolate covered almonds after the turn downs service. Every floor has a water station, and there’s a big space for this in the lobby, although we never needed to refill ours, since it was restocked all the time.
The service was stellar. We really felt at home and appreciated for our patronage. We were greeted by almost every employee, and we could feel the politeness and niceness, even though we sometimes had no idea what they were saying. Their words, nice smiles, and bows made it feel so welcoming and appreciative.
The Specialty Salon on the 36th floor was open from 0700 to 2100 and we got to enjoy a quiet time while having a drink or food. Although I encountered an issue, it was resolved quickly and remedied professionally. In the end, we could feel the heart-felt sympathy and it made a big difference in turning things around so smoothly. I really felt listened to, understood and very pleased with their way of handling things and with every single member of the staff, without exception. During the evening cocktail at the Specialty Salon, we had a buffet style and a la carte menu from 1700-1900.
In terms of food, we were pampered! We had our daily breakfast at “The Moment” on the 29th floor or at the Specialty Salon on the 36th floor. The main dining had an assortment of foods buffet-style. From Japanese traditional breakfast items, to western style foods, and everything in between. I thoroughly enjoyed their clam miso soup, the fresh sushi, the croissants, walnut bread, fresh French toast, the deliciously sweet melon and mango, and many more. The place got very busy, especially in the late mornings, so the service was a little slow in terms of clearing tables and taking away dirty dishes. But it was corrected and there were positive changes. The food in the Specialty Salon was a la carte, as well as buffet style, with more premium ingredients like the rice bowl with sea urchin and salmon roe, the omelette with Bordier butter, bacon and champignon sauce, the steamed eel with rice, the caviar and smoked potatoes, and the cage free scrambled eggs with truffles. We also got to indulge in the dinner service at “The Moment” on the 29th floor, which included a buffer-style and a la carte menu. Every single dish was outstanding. The presentation and atmosphere were very conducive to having a memorable experience. The view was jaw dropping. And the flavor and taste of all dishes were spectacular.
The Ofuro Bath area on the 30th floor was like stepping into heaven. It was a Japanese onsen-style bath, with excellent service, beautiful facilities and amenities, as well as a relaxing lounge with snacks and beverages available all the time. The gym was open 24/7 and was better equipped than most hotels.
In terms of location, this property cannot be beaten. It’s connected to Osaka Station, so within minutes you’re boarding any train and within 5 minutes you’re in Shin-Osaka where you can take the Shinkansen. You’re central to everything and within minutes easy access to the station.
The only thing that was a bit bothersome was the noise from the trains, which we could hear from the room. There’s nothing the hotel could do about this. And after the third day we got used to it and could barely notice it. I just suggest requesting a room facing south a few days before check in and reminding them...
Read moreI’ve adjusted my original review to provide a slightly fairer perspective. However, this doesn’t change my opinion, I have no intention of returning to this hotel if I visit Osaka again.||The St. Regis Osaka has always been my goto hotel whenever I visit Osaka, but since it’s been a while, I decided to explore another Marriott property. The Autograph Collection Osaka Station caught my attention due to its strategic location next to Osaka Station. Unfortunately, I was deeply disappointed. This will be my first and last stay at this property.||For Platinum and Titanium members specifically searching for club lounge access, this hotel does not offer it unless you’re an Ambassador Elite or staying in an eligible room. Don’t make the same mistake as I did.||The Bad:|1. Club Lounge Access - This is the only Marriott property I’ve stayed at where lounge access is limited to Ambassador Elite members and guests on the 38th floor. As a Titanium Elite member, I was denied access, a surprising and disappointing policy.|2. Bathroom Design - The bathroom offers no privacy, which is incredibly awkward if you’re traveling with someone. Even the double bedrooms lack a privacy screen, which is basic and should be expected in any hotel room.|3. Difficult to locate - While the hotel’s proximity to Osaka Station appears convenient, the station itself is a maze. The hotel has poor signage, making it difficult to find the entrance, especially for first time visitors. It may take a few stays to overcome this challenge, but the initial experience is frustrating.|4. I haven’t requested an upgrade in years (except with SNA), and I didn’t ask for one this time or expect one, so let me be clear, I wasn’t upset about not receiving an upgrade. However, I was told during check-in that I had been upgraded to a high floor, which wasn’t even on a high floor. The so-called “scenic view” turned out to be nothing more than a helipad view from another building. If the hotel isn’t truly providing an upgrade, it’s better not to mention it and risk unnecessary disappointment.|5. Room Size and Design - The room was pathetically small, with a poorly thought-out design. For instance, squeezing a table into the center of an already cramped room is inconvenient, I hit it twice while going to the bathroom in the dark at night.||The Good:|1. Staff - Around 80% of the staff members I interacted with were friendly, polite, and seemed genuinely proud of their work, something I always appreciate.|2 Breakfast - The breakfast selection is limited but of excellent quality. I especially enjoyed the nigiri sushi and fresh fruit, though the overall experience didn’t leave a lasting impression.|3. Location - Being next to Osaka Station means you have access to direct train services to most destinations, which is a definite plus.||To all Marriott Elite members, please think twice before booking this property. It’s been the most disappointing stay of my 2024 travels and not the way I wanted to end the year. I’m counting down the days until I can check out...
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