Patina Osaka, developed and owned by NTT Urban Development Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Kou Ikeda) and managed by NTT Urban Development Hotel Management Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Junichi Matsumoto), has been selected as the "World's Best Hotel" (number one hotel in the world) in the "World's Best Awards 2026" by Travel + Leisure, an American magazine with a strong global influence in the travel industry. This marks the first time a hotel in Japan has been selected just one year after opening.
Travel + Leisure is a leading US monthly travel magazine that has been publishing various content for luxury travelers seeking a more personalized travel experience since 1971. The magazine has a worldwide circulation of approximately 950,000 copies and boasts over 19 million readers on its website. The "World's Best Awards" is a travel industry award that has been held annually since 1995, with winners selected by readers of Travel + Leisure magazine. Patina Osaka was selected as the world's number one hotel in the "World's Best Hotel" category, which is a hotel ranking based on readers' actual stay experiences.
Travel + Leisure "World's Best Awards 2026" Homepage:
Furthermore, at this year's "World's Best Awards," Capella Hotels & Resorts, the hotel brand that operates Capella Kyoto (Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City, operated by Capella Hotel Group, General Manager John Blanco, scheduled to open in March 2026), which is also owned and managed by our group, was selected as the world's best hotel brand for the fourth consecutive year, a first in history.
NTT Urban Development Corporation
Comment from President and CEO Kou Ikeda
"We are deeply honored that Patina Osaka, a hotel developed and managed by our group on the former site of NTT West Japan's headquarters, has been selected as Japan's first "World's Best Hotel" (ranked No. 1). Receiving this prestigious award just one year after opening is a testament to the hotel's high regard from around the world, not only for its facilities but also for providing a unique and unparalleled stay experience. Furthermore, Capella Hotels & Resorts, which operates Capella Kyoto, another hotel owned and managed by our group that opened in March of this year, has also been recognized as one of the world's best hotel brands. We express our sincere gratitude to all the guests who have chosen both hotels, as well as to the Capella Hotel Group for continuing to create exceptional stay experiences." Our group owns and manages seven hotels, including Patina Osaka and Capella Kyoto. We aim to further enhance the unique appeal of each of these hotels and provide a stay experience that embodies the charm of Japan, as promoted by the Japan Tourism Agency: "Japan. Endless Discovery. A country where you can encounter endless感動 (deep emotions/inspiration)." We also hope to create opportunities for guests to have a deep encounter with the history and culture of the region.
Representative of Capella Hotel Group
Roland Fazel's comment
"We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our guests around the world, and to our Travel + Leisure readers who supported and voted for Patina Osaka in the Travel + Leisure "World's Best Awards." We also express our deepest gratitude to NTT Urban Development for believing in and supporting Patina Osaka's vision from the initial stages. It was their empathy and support for our vision of connecting people who shape Osaka's culture with guests from around the world that made it possible to realize the first Patina branded hotel in Japan and only the second in the world. We see the perfect score from Travel + Leisure readers as proof that Patina 's philosophy resonates strongly with today's travelers who value sustainability, wellness, personal growth, and genuine human connection. This honor is dedicated to everyone at NTT Urban Development Group and the entire Patina Osaka team who deliver memorable and special experiences to our guests every day."
- Forward Stroke Inc.
- Daiki Morita
- Patina Osaka
(Reference)About Patina Osaka
"Patina Osaka" is the first hotel brand of its kind in Japan, located near Osaka Castle Park and Naniwa Palace Site Park, offering panoramic views of downtown Osaka. The 20-story building features 221 guest rooms, each boasting a spacious 50 square meters, as well as a spa, fitness center, and restaurants offering a high-quality extraordinary experience, and a ballroom that can be used for international conferences and receptions. As an innovative luxury hotel that fuses history, culture, nature, and art, it aims to create new value for the city, expressing Japanese aesthetics in a modern way through designs inspired by the stone walls of Osaka Castle and traditional Japanese materials, and through a harmonious spatial composition woven from glass and natural materials.
Based on the concept of "transformative luxury," this hotel aims to foster cultural collaboration, encounters with art and culture, and connections with the community throughout the stay, providing each guest with an experience that cultivates new discoveries, learning, and human connections.
Furthermore, "Patina Osaka" has already received numerous international awards and ratings, including the "Reggie Shiu Development of the Year" award at the Asia Pacific Hotel Investment Conference (HICAP) in October 2025, the "Suite Room Category Award" at the AHEAD Asia Awards in September 2025, and a "1 Michelin Key" in the Michelin Guide Hotel Selection in October 2025.
(Reference)About the operating company, Capella Hotel Group
Capella Hotel Group is a leading hospitality management company based in Singapore, operating two hotel brands. Currently, it operates hotels in 10 regions worldwide, and in Japan, it operates two hotels: Patina Osaka (opening May 2025) and Capella Kyoto (opening March 2026).
About hotel brands
[Patina Hotels & Resorts]
Patina Hotels & Resorts is the latest hotel brand from the Capella Hotel Group. Born from guests' desire to respect individuality, Patina is an appealing hotel for modern travelers seeking meaningful connections with themselves and those around them. With a guest-centered design, it caters to guests' needs while staying true to their natural selves, ensuring that each stay is a unique and unforgettable experience.
Following our success in Osaka, we are planning to open another hotel in Sanya, Hainan Island, China.
Capella Hotels & Resorts
Capella Hotels & Resorts operates in locations such as Singapore, Sydney, and Taipei, in addition to Capella Kyoto, and plans to open in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Nanjing/Shenzhen, China; and Seoul, South Korea. By highlighting the local traditions, culture, and community, they combine thoughtfully designed elements with personalized, top-level service to create an authentic guest experience.
Overview of "Patina Osaka"
| location | 3-91 Babacho, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture |
|---|---|
| Building size | 20 floors above ground, 3 floors below ground |
| Number of rooms | Room 221 |
| traffic | Approximately 8 minutes on foot from Tanimachi 4-Chome Station on the Osaka Metro Tanimachi Line or Chuo Line Approximately 10 minutes on foot from Morinomiya Station on the JR Osaka Loop Line |
| business owner | NTT Urban Development Corporation |
| Hotel Management Company | NTT Urban Development Hotel Management Corporation |
| Hotel Management Company | Capella Hotel Group |
| Basic design/Detailed design supervision/Interior design supervision | NTT FACILITIES Inc. |
| Detailed design and supervision/construction | Takenaka Corporation |
| Exterior design | Jun Mitsui and Associates Architectural Design Office, Inc. |
| Interior Design | Strickland Co., Ltd. |
| Opening | May 2025 |
| Official website | https://patinahotels.com/osaka/ja |
Location map
[Related Release]
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Patina Osaka "Receives Reggie Shiu Development of the Year Award (Grand Prize)"
(October 28, 2025) https://www.nttud.co.jp/news_pdf/news_251028_001.pdf -
"Patina Osaka" will be featured in the 2025 Michelin Guide Hotel Selection.
"The Hotel Aomori Kyoto Shimizu" and "Ace Hotel Kyoto" have been awarded '1 Michelin star'.
(October 17, 2025) https://www.nttud.co.jp/news_pdf/news_251028_001.pdf -
Patina Osaka received the "Suite Room Category Award" at the "AHEAD Awards Asia 2025".
(September 19, 2025) https://www.nttud.co.jp/news_pdf/news_250919_001.pdf -
"Patina Osaka" opens today, May 1st (Thursday).
A luxury hotel from Singapore makes its debut in Japan, overlooking Osaka Castle.
(May 1, 2025) https://www.nttud.co.jp/news/detail/id/n26889.html