InterContinental Osaka

The first thing you'll notice when the elevator door opens on the 20th-floor lobby is the breathtaking skyline of Umeda outside the floor-to-ceiling windows. It's instant proof that you've picked the right district for your Osaka stay. Umeda is the hottest address in the city right now, thanks to its dynamic, cosmopolitan energy.

But InterContinental Osaka, which occupies the upper floors of the North Tower at Grand Front Osaka – one of Umeda’s mega-complexes combining offices, retail and dining – has more to offer than its strategic location. The well-appointed rooms are larger than those in many other hotels in the city. It has a longstanding Michelin-starred restaurant and a host of wellness facilities including a Japanese bathhouse. Plus, a sprinkling of contemporary art in the lobby gives it a creative flair. This hotel is the full five-star package.

What are the rooms like at InterContinental Osaka?

The rooms are generous in size, with most categories offering at least 50sqm of modern comfort – even the standard King Classic comes with a substantial 41sqm. Moreover, with rooms located between levels 21 and 32, guests can expect a lofty view of the city.

The wooden floor, soft carpet and overall earthy palette create a soothing ambience, while the natural light streaming in from the large windows makes the space feel bright and airy. The stone console, crafted from solid granite and topped with a Japanese tea set, is a beautiful feature that anchors the room with a touch of local character.

My King Premium City View room is sumptuously appointed, complete with a huge glass-topped work desk, a leather lounger and a daybed by the picture windows. The bathroom, however, is the highlight here. Its aquarium-style design adds to the room’s feeling of spaciousness – but don’t worry, the glass wall overlooking the bed has a sliding door for privacy. Inside, marble surfaces, a standalone bathtub, a separate rain shower and premium toiletries from Swedish niche fragrance brand Byredo turn it into an indulgent space.

What about the facilities at InterContinental Osaka?

On level four you’ll find all the hotel’s wellness facilities. The indoor lap pool comes complete with a jet bath – and it’s temperature-controlled, so you can go for a swim even in the dead of winter. The adjacent 24-hour gym is one of the biggest and most well-equipped hotel fitness centres I’ve yet seen in Japan. It has everything you need for a full body workout, from free weights to cardio machines. 

Even if you usually skip the hotel pool and gym, make sure you set aside some time to experience the onsite bathhouse that’s inspired by the ryokan (traditional Japanese inn). The dry and steam saunas as well as the hot bath will do wonders to soothe your tired body after a whole day of walking.

What are the food and drink options at InterContinental Osaka?

There is much to choose from at the hotel. Noka Roast & Grill offers meals all day, along with a dessert buffet on weekends and holidays. The adee Lounge & Bar, on the other hand, serves up cocktails shaken and stirred against a backdrop of the city skyline from the 20th floor. There’s also a patisserie on the ground floor, whose name ‘Stressed’ is a cheeky play on the word ‘desserts’.

Easily the hotel’s crown jewel, fine dining French restaurant Pierre has been awarded a Michelin star for ten consecutive years. Chef Yoshitaka Shibahara, whose grandfather was a French chef and whose family owns a farm, leans into his pedigree fully by showcasing Japanese seasonal ingredients through French techniques. 

His love for seafood was evident in the summer tasting menu I tried during my stay at the hotel. What stood out from that dinner was the inventive sauces and condiments that paired so beautifully with the fish dishes. 

Deep-red slivers of raw bonito came with three sauces – shiso, tomato and mango – each bringing a different flavour to every bite. The trout, brushed with caper sauce and served with classic beurre blanc as well as thick hazelnut cream alongside grapefruit pulp, may sound heavy-handed, but it was inspired, a testament to chef Shibahara’s talent for bringing together seemingly disparate flavours. Also worth noting is his precise plating, which gave the dishes a confident, modern sensibility.

What is the service like at InterContinental Osaka?

Befitting the hotel brand’s international reputation, the service at InterContinental Osaka is warm, friendly and helpful. The 28th-floor Club InterContinental, available to guests who book rooms with lounge access, elevates the hotel experience with all-day refreshments from breakfast till nightcap, as well as a host of benefits including complimentary garment pressing.

The pampering service starts right at check-in, where I was whisked up to the exclusive lounge to enjoy afternoon tea while the paperwork was being handled. Come evening, I found myself back at Club InterContinental for cocktails and canapés, and again after dinner for a camomile gin and tonic before bed. 

I essentially used the lounge as a pitstop between outings into the city and between meals, and that made my trip so much more relaxing. Plus, those who prefer a bit more peace and quiet can start the day with breakfast at the lounge rather than downstairs at Noka.

What is the area like around InterContinental Osaka?

Located in bustling Umeda, InterContinental Osaka is one of the city’s best-placed hotels. It’s directly connected to JR Osaka Station via an elevated walkway, so you can easily hop on a train to the airport, or further out to explore Kyoto, Kobe and the wider Kansai region.  

What’s more, as Umeda is currently going through an exciting transformation, you’ll be staying in one of Osaka’s buzziest areas, with endless options for dining, shopping and entertainment right below the hotel.

Why you should book a stay at InterContinental Osaka

A leading brand under IHG Hotels & Resorts, InterContinental Osaka checks all the fundamentals for a good stay. It’s conveniently located for transport and vibrant city life, with modern and spacious sky-high rooms that you’ll enjoy returning to at the end of the day. Plus, it has two Michelin distinctions: a star for Pierre and a key for the hotel itself. All these qualities make InterContinental Osaka a dependable luxury choice in one of the city’s hottest districts.

Address: 3-60 Ofuka-cho, Kita, Osaka

Closest transport link: JR Osaka Station

Book now: ihg.com/intercontinental/hotels/us/en/osaka/osaha/hoteldetail