Hilton Osaka
Ok, spending a week or two in Osaka, well, Rob gets bored in one hotel and was looking for something with maybe a little higher experience. There was quite reasonable rates at the Hilton Osaka, and its location at the main train station with access to the airport and everywhere, did not hurt my choice.Arrival
I was near the Osaka Castle, and it wasn't really conducive to use the public transport (that's read trains, Rob doesn't like buses much. Ride one in Minneapolis, and I believe you will understand).So, instead I got a taxi that cost $50 for 6 miles. Ouch!
The Room
Upgraded to executive floor, but a fairly standard King room. I had the option of a "Japan" suite, but the bed was on the floor so I passed.
3D interactive room tour, use your mouse or fingers to move around and see other rooms.
Dining and Drinking
So many options at the hotel to enjoy. Myplace Cafe & Bar which is an American style bar with light fare available. Folk Kitchen, for your international all-day fare and the insane breakfast buffet. KawaUme, the Japanese and sushi place. Tenaka, the teppanyaki dinner show restaurant.And well, Centrum, the steakhouse. I figured I had to go here, and now I am thinking... wait, why didn't I go to KawaUme for that local experience. Seriously too much work, to little sleep.
Executive Lounge
The executive lounge here, hits every single mark for a lounge. The staff are amazing and can handle any request. The food offerings are substantial and quite diverse. The alcohol is a good mix for those that can stand Absolut. Yeah, this is what a lounge should be and even over delivers.Hotel Amenities
There is a pool but Japanese privacy made that overly difficult to photograph here, so I couldn't do it. I did get the gym and the waiting room for the spa, plus a somewhat Japanese specialty, the smoking room.Various Shots
Shots of the property from various areas
Always people manning this spot, this is at 2am
The lobby, which most of it is taken up by a holiday train set during my stay
All combined, kinda odd for visual aesthetic, but I love glasses in drawers
This is how one gets breakfast in bed
Those suites shown... I'm not currently willing to spend the money to stay in them
Manager gifts of local candy
I was leaving super early, so the lounge arranged me breakfast 2 hours early, included
Ok, you want steak? Centrum has steak!
Large open seating
Lobster bisque
Ribeye, while thin, was prepared perfect and flavorful
The menu for Centrum
Myplace bar
All the drinks!
Lunch sandwich, Pokemon stuff not included
Efficient, but expansive dining
"Choco cereals! I can get my fix
Tabasco, the best thing ever to come out of Louisiana (my Editrix will have stroke over this statement)
Takoyaki, a favorite Japanese snack of cheese and dough
Breads and donuts, and I didn't have a donut. I know, shocking
Morning ramen
The entrance to Tenka and KawaUme, only open in the evening
Enter here for the private world within a private world of the hotel
Not unlimited seating, so in the evening, you must pick a time slot
Very large breakfast offering
Miso, for good digestive health
Aww, no coco crisp types of cereal
Evening specialties, this one from Centrum
"Of course we cannot forget desserts, but so many are Matcha flavored
Self-serve booze
These were the best tasting drinks in the lounge
Chilled white wine
My side of the gym, as a resistance guy
Cardio boyz love this room
For such a healthy society, they smoke a LOT
Doesn't it look glamorous?
Men's waiting area for the spa
The Christmas train layout
Sponsored by a lot of companies for children's care charities
Fantasy shot for your Instagram