4 Best Hotels in The Kansai Region, Japan

A new addition to Osaka’s five-star hotel scene, the Four Seasons features a beautiful mix of Japanese and Western aesthetics and also offers spacious rooms with expansive city views, a choice of excellent restaurants, and the highest level of service.

Since it opened in 2013, the InterContinental Osaka has been regarded as one of the city's top luxury hotels, with a Michelin-starred restaurant and another more casual dining option in addition to those found in the conveniently attached Grand Front Osaka. Beyond the excellent service that you'd expect, the hotel offers beautiful nighttime views of the city skyline from rooms on the 20th to 32nd floors. Bose speakers, flat-screen TVs, and automatic blinds are among the high-tech touches in rooms that blend classic furnishings and sleek modern design.

More intimate than the city's other luxury hotels, the Ritz-Carlton combines a homey atmosphere and European elegance. King-size beds with goose-down pillows and dark-wood furnishings grace the guest rooms, and the bathrooms have plush robes and fluffy towels. All rooms have a flat-screen TV with plug-in panels where you can attach your electronic gadgets. A rarity in Japan, the rates include use of the pool, hot tub, and fitness room.

One of Osaka's top luxury hotels, the St. Regis offers an oasis of comfort just a short walk from the lights and excitement of Shin-sai-bashi and Namba, and a short train ride from many of the city's major sights. The rooms strike a balance between modern chic and plush elegance, while the bright and airy 12th-floor lobby looks out over a rooftop Japanese garden. Service is impeccable as befits the St. Regis brand, going so far as to offer a full butler service that includes unpacking luggage, personal wake-up visit with coffee, and other guest requests.