It's already the Christmas season, so the illuminations make every space festive!

Perhaps Mr. Morita was involved in the spatial design of the hotel's restaurants. The St. Regis might not be widely known in Japan yet, but it actually reigns as the top-tier brand within the Starwood Group, which also owns Westin and Sheraton. If only they'd build one in Tokyo, I could use it more often (laughs).

In the space next to the French bistro "Le Dort" near the first-floor entrance, a symbolic 5.5-meter Christmas tree sparkled after its lighting ceremony.

The "St. Regis Hotel Osaka" has 160 rooms, which is on the smaller side for a hotel, but all are suites. The smiles of the staff who greeted me at the entrance were so welcoming. I was struck by what Ms. Minamikawa from hotel PR said: "We are particular about our service!"

It features butler service, similar to a resort hotel, with a butler call button on the phone. Upon entering the room, there's a butler's box right beside the door where they can place anything you request. Beyond the room explanation, it's worth fully utilizing the butler service for complimentary services like cleaning, shoe shining, and welcome drinks. The in-room coffee and espresso machine is also a modern design. The amenities, such as those from the acclaimed French skincare brand "SOTHYS," are quite sophisticated for connoisseurs!

The main dining room is the Italian restaurant "La Veduta." Designed by Tomoyasu Morita, it blends contemporary modern and classic elements with dynamic art, distinctive lighting, murals, and paintings, creating a warm, inviting space reminiscent of an Italian villa. The open kitchen allows guests to enjoy the creative dishes (Northern Italian style) prepared by Chef Toshiyuki Nakato, who trained in Tuscany. The innovative use of ingredients like fugu in Italian cuisine was remarkable! The thinly sliced foie gras presentation was also a fresh take. After my event talk show, my tension eased, and I felt very relaxed. Afterwards, I enjoyed a leisurely evening in the room's bubble bath while watching TV.

Morning: Room Service & Spa Facial

The next morning, I ordered the hotel's original pancakes via room service for breakfast in my room. The thick pancakes were topped generously with fruits, cream, and jam. I was also very much looking forward to my first facial at the "SOTHYS" spa! I heard it's available in Tokyo at "Amo En" above the Spiral in Aoyama.

SOTHYS skincare has such a wide range of products that it would take a while to get to know them all unless you're a frequent customer (laughs). What's unique is how the therapists provide customized care tailored to each guest's skin. They often blend two or three types of creams with different effects (perhaps for firmness and hydration?) along with their techniques. It sounds fun to have skincare blended based on a therapist's intuition. The scents are also pleasant, and the relaxing aromas designed to affect the brain contribute to a sense of calm. The anti-aging and hydrating treatments had refreshing citrus scents that were incredibly soothing.

I received a 60-minute facial treatment, and the blissful time passed in an instant, transporting me to a surreal world. I immediately returned to Tokyo for my next engagement. Although it was a brief hotel stay, I highly recommend indulging in a mood-boosting luxury hotel experience from time to time.

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