Welcome to the club

WHEN THE CLUB LOUNGE STAFF at The Ritz-Carlton Osaka say they will organise a running/cycling tour to Osaka castle for you, they don’t just make the arrangements. They go with you.

Cajoling you into a 7.30 am excursion through scenic flower gardens and greenery-lined paths towards the majestic monument is Simon Finch, the ebullient and perfectly bilingual guest relations manager who just happens to have run a few marathons himself. So a leisurely run – or bike ride – from the hotel in Osaka’s Umeda district to the castle about 4.5 km away is literally a walk in the park for him. And for his energetic young team who effortlessly push your bike uphill when needed, or take a video that you can keep as a memento of your stay at this storied hotel – the first Ritz-Carlton to open in Japan in 1997.

Memories. Experiences. They are the valuable takeaways from every trip beyond the physical experience of visiting a city or staying in a hotel. It makes particular sense at The Ritz-Carlton Osaka, where a simple outing like this is richer and memorable for the team’s authenticity and sincerity, and not just for its luxury trappings – of which there are many.

Curating activities that reflect the city you’re in, and immersing you in local culture against a backdrop of the hotel’s own facilities are just part of the newly elevated experience at the Ritz-Carlton Club.  Recently launched across its Asia-Pacific properties, the hotel-within-a-hotel concept brings exclusivity to sky-high levels at the Club Lounge and rooms, with even more unique offerings tailored for business and leisure travellers. 

And should your travels take you to Japan, the added level of omotenashi is hard to beat.

The Ritz-Carlton Osaka

With a – yes – running commentary courtesy of Finch, you pick up little nuggets of information about Osaka on your way to the castle. There’s a useful tip about a little shop not far from the hotel that sells lots of well-priced wine. A short commentary about the art museums in the area. And how the rose plants at Nakanoshima Park – the city’s oldest – range in age from a few years to almost 100 years old. And of course, the best view – a beautiful tranquil lake with the ancient monument looming in the background. 

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It’s one of several complimentary activities lined up for the hotel’s Club guests, who can also pick a walking tour of Nakanoshima, or more sedate pursuits such as a Japanese tea ceremony or furoshiki (gift-wrapping) lesson. These take place at the Club Lounge on the 34th floor, a quietly opulent living and dining space that serves five meals a day.

Unlike most club lounges which only offer breakfast and pre-dinner hors d’oeuvres, you get a complete buffet spread in the morning, substantial lunch, afternoon tea (with selected pastries by Pierre Herme), pre-dinner nibbles that include special dishes from the hotel’s restaurants, and post-dinner cordials (with more bites). One cocktail you can’t get enough of is its signature Gari 34 – a rum-based concoction of pickled ginger, ginger ale, mint and honey.

The curated dining programme is one of the key benefits of being a Club guest, and it’s hard to resist the temptation to stay in all day just to sample everything on the menu. You might want to venture out to try the hotel’s own Michelin-starred restaurants La Baie or Tempura by Hanagatami. The Italian fare at Splendido and Hanagatami’s kaiseki menu are not to be sniffed at either. A tour of the extensive artwork and antiques in almost every corner of the hotel - designed to look like an 18th century English manor - will occupy you for the better part of an afternoon, which would be just in time for tea back in the tranquil surroundings of the Club Lounge.

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The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo

Located in Tokyo Midtown, taking up the top nine floors of the 53-storey building, The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo offers a very different vibe from Osaka – exuding uber-trendy, modern sophistication that reflects its location in the heart of business-entertainment hub, Roppongi.

The first thing to take your breath away is the stunning view from its top floor Club Lounge, which offers a glimpse of Mount Fuji and Tokyo Bay if the weather is clear. For a different perspective, Hinokizaka restaurant on the 45th floor offers a 360-degree view that’s jaw-dropping at night when both stars in the sky and surrounding skyscrapers twinkle magically. Add a well-executed kaiseki dinner here and your evening is complete. 

A familiar sight around The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo is hotel manager Toine Hoeksel, whose past experience as a culinary director for Marriott comes into play when curating the dining programme at the Club Lounge, as well as the full Club experience. The offerings here are generous, with five dining sessions a day, and all of them include alcohol, which is hard to find in other hotels’ club lounges which limit it to certain timings.

The menu always features special dishes that change frequently, says Hoeksel, explaining the distinctive features of the dining programme. At breakfast, for example, a senior female chef prepares crab omelette omurice-style, with rich creamy eggs topped with crab meat covering tasty rice. Another day, it might be an omelette with braised beef, while for lunch there’s always a traditional bento set on offer. 

The idea is to always incorporate local culture and products, says Hoeksel, and this includes the lounge’s signature seasonal peach soda especially for summer. And for the evening’s cordials, there is a gin bar, featuring the Japanese-made spirit, so as to showcase the many different varieties of locally-made artisanal gin that many would not really know about.

For wine and cheese lovers, one of the top complimentary activities for Club guests is a wine-tasting session. Complete with tasting notes and score sheets (and plates of Japanese and imported cheese to nibble on), you’re meant to taste the various wines and rank them. The most popular wines would then be added to the club’s own wine list.

For a non-edible distraction, indulge in a precious hour-long relaxing massage at the spa, which spans over 20,000 sq ft on the 46th floor. Gentle Japanese masseuses with firm hands lull you into a blissful state, culminating in hot tea and that signature view.

Now, more than ever, the demand for unique experiences is high on the list of luxury-seeking travellers. If membership has its privileges, the Ritz-Carlton Club is one that you’ll want to join.

The writer was a guest of Ritz-Carlton Osaka and Ritz-Carlton Tokyo.