The good citizens of Osaka are famed for their entrepreneurial nous, their eye for a bargain, and their willingness to blow their hard-earned fortunes on the better things in life, namely food, drink, and having a good time. Thus it was always something of a mystery that Honmachi, the city’s mercantile epicenter, lacked a top-end hotel truly worthy of the name. Enter the St. Regis, a towering temple to all things luxurious and cool. Located on the 11th to 27th floors of the Honmachi Garden City complex, facing Midosuji Avenue—the self-styled Champs-Élysées of Osaka—the property has been the talk of the town since its October debut.

Stroll in the Zen-inspired sekitei stone garden that hovers 12 floors above the city streets; enjoy a wasabi and yuzu–spiked Shogun Bloody Mary in the stately St. Regis Bar; chow down on top-notch northern Italian cuisine in La Veduta restaurant, or simply kick back and relax in one of the 160 art-filled, modishly elegant rooms. The 24-hour butler service ensures your every need will be met, and the night views, especially from the Royal Suite’s elegant designer bath, are simply breathtaking

3-6-12 Honmachi, Chuo-ku; 81-6/6258-3333; starwoodhotels.com; doubles from US$900.

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