HOTELS

Although Tauck suggests three different hotel options, they only provided us with the Conrad in Osaka and Mandarin in Tokyo.


a3 Chome-2-4 Nakanoshima, Kita, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 530-0005, Japan
+81 6 6222 0111

Conrad Osaka is your "address in the sky" in Japan's second-largest city. With a commanding presence on Nakanoshima between the Dojima and Tosabori rivers, this sleek luxury hotel offers incredible views of the water and Osaka from all guest rooms and public areas. The hotel resides on the highest floors of Nakanoshima Festival West Tower, home to shops, restaurants and an art museum. Festival Hall is next door, easily reached via underground link. Conrad Osaka's spacious, stylish guest rooms offer floor-to-ceiling windows and a digital control panel for your lighting, curtain and temperature preferences.

More luxuries for your stay include four restaurants and lounges, including all-day dining and a Sky Bar; the chic and tranquil Conrad Spa and salon overlooking the city; a wedding chapel and pillar-free event space with stunning views of Osaka and environs; and a heated indoor 20-meter pool and state-of-the-art fitness center

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b2-1-1 Nihonbashi Muromachi Chuo Ku, Tokyo, 103-8328 Japan
+81 3-3270-8800

The readers of Travel + Leisure placed the Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo on the list of the 500 World's Best hotels and voted it the #1 hotel in Japan. A "tower of contemporary luxury" in the center of the city awaits you at the Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo, where you'll find a stunning panorama surrounding you.  The hotel's defining style, reflected in each guest room, is that of futuristic luxury.

If tea is your thing, you'll find Nirvana in the Sense Tea Corner, offering more than 20 different types in a relaxed and serene atmosphere, while the Mandarin Bar entices with signature cocktails as well as spirits to suit any taste. Dining options range from fine "Edo-mae" sushi at Sushi Sora, casual dining with an Italian flair at Ventaglio to Michelin-star Chinese cuisine and amazing city views at Sense and fine dining at Signature, which has earned a Michelin star for its contemporary French menu.




  
 
Le Soléal offers guests a refined small ship cruising experience with a maximum capacity of 264 passengers. The ship sports 6 decks that include 

the elegant main dining room, 
- Le Restaurant Gastronomique, serving French and international cuisine; 
- the casual Le Grill Restaurant; 

Le Théâtre hosting informative lectures and entertainment; 

Fitness and Beauty Corner; 

Medical Center; 

Three lounges offering evening entertainment, bars and access to the open decks and multiple observation areas. 
 
Elevators serve all passenger decks. 
 
Staterooms (ranging from 200 to 210 sq. ft.) with ocean views; 95% have private balconies. 
- Individually controlled a/c, 
- twin beds converting to a queen-size bed (or one queen-size bed),
- DVD / CD player, flat-screen TV with satellite channels, electronic safe and minibar. 
 
The Tauck group shares the ship with non-Tauck guests and has one Tauck Director for approximately every 40 Tauck guests. 
 
Shore excursions are with exclusive, private Tauck directors. On board, Le Soléal provides opportunities to interact with the ship's other non-Tauck guests.


FOR REFERENCE ONLY - TAUCK LISTED

FORBES TRAVEL GUIDE

https://www.forbestravelguide.com/destinations/osaka-japan

St. Regis, Ritz-Carlton, Conrad 

The best location to walk to points of interest appears to be St. Regis

https://www.forbestravelguide.com/destinations/tokyo-japan

Shangri-La, Mandarian, Palace 

The Shangri-La and Palace are near Chiyoda City 


BARD COMMENTS ABOUT TAUCK's OPTIONS

"Based on St. Regis in Osaka and Shangri-La in Tokyo or Ritz-Calton in Osaka and Palace Hotel in Tokyo or Conrad in Osaka and Mandarin in Tokyo, which selection pair is best for walking to visit the points of interest." 

St. Regis Osaka is located in the heart of Namba, Osaka's most vibrant district. It is a short walk to many of the city's most popular attractions, including Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi, and Osaka Castle. Shangri-La Tokyo is located in the heart of Shinjuku, Tokyo's busiest district. It is a short walk to many of the city's most popular attractions, including the Imperial Palace, Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. 

Both hotels are within walking distance of major train stations, making it easy to get around the city. They also offer a variety of amenities, such as restaurants, bars, spas, and fitness centers.

The other two selection pairs, Ritz-Carlton Osaka and Palace Hotel Tokyo, and Conrad Osaka and Mandarin Oriental Tokyo, are also located in good areas for walking to points of interest. However, they are not as centrally located as St. Regis Osaka and Shangri-La Tokyo.


TAUCK'S OTHER NOTES 

3-6-12 Honmachi, Osaka, JP-27 541-0053
+81 6 6258 3333

Osaka's most coveted address on Midosuji Avenue, the Champs Élysées of Osaka, The St. Regis Osaka opened its doors in 2010 and is the first international luxury hotel to open in the city in 13 years.

Enjoy light fare at The St. Regis Terrace, northern Italian cuisine at La Veduta, distinctive French flavors in the bistro atmosphere of Rue d'Or or try a specialty cocktail like a "Shogun Mary" at The St. Regis Bar.

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Marunouchi Trust Tower Main 1-8-3 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku Tokyo, Japan
+81 3-6739-7888

The Shangra-La is voted the top spot among the Best 100 hotels in the World by Institutional Investor – and #1 among the Top 25 Luxury Hotels in the World in TripAdvisor's Traveler's Choice Award. It is on the top 11 floors of a 37-story building adjacent to Tokyo Station; the Imperial Palace, Nihombashi and Marunouchi business districts.

It has two world–class restaurants – the Italian restaurant Piacere, offering exquisite food and fine wines with panoramic views over the Imperial Gardens; and the Japanese restaurant Nadaman, setting a new standard for dining in Tokyo.

2 Chome-5-25 Umeda, Kita, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 530-0001, Japan
+81 6 6343 7000

One of the premier hotels in Osaka, The Ritz-Carlton, Osaka is located in the prestigious district of Nishi-Umeda, within walking distance to ancient city sights, business and shopping districts, and close to its treasured cultural heart. Pass through the Gateway of Western Japan and marvel at ancient traditions that punctuate the ultra-modern landscape that includes one of the city's most elegant five star hotels.

The fine dining restaurants at The Ritz-Carlton, Osaka include an impressive global culinary repertoire that ranges from the French restaurant, La Baie, to the Lobby Lounge that serves traditional afternoon tea. Enjoy authentic Cantonese cuisine in Xiang Tao, Japanese specialties in Hanagatami and Italian favorites in Splendido. And The Bar invites you to indulge in signature cocktails and a selection of more than 150 malt whiskies.

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1 Chome-1-1 Marunouchi, Tokyo 100-0005, Japan
+81 3 3211 5211

Palace Hotel Tokyo is heir to some of the city's most exclusive real estate in the heart of Tokyo's Marunouchi district. With an imitable perspective on the city and a tranquil moat-side location adjacent to the Imperial Palace gardens, the hotel opened in 2012 following a complete three-year rebuild.

From the distinctive omotenashi (Japanese hospitality) you'll encounter upon arrival to subtle Japanese touches throughout, the wholly Japanese-owned and managed hotel presents guests with an experience of the city rivaled only by its incomparable views.  Each of Palace Hotel Tokyo's seven destination restaurants promises a culinary experience as original and memorable as its setting. Featuring wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows looking out on on a clear day, snow-capped Mt. Fuji can be seen in the distance.


 
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