A legacy of luxury: Inside Waldorf Astoria's global expansion, from its New York reopening to its debut in Japan

In April, we were one of the first guests to check into the brand’s newest hotel, Waldorf Astoria Osaka—its debut property in Japan. 

“The debut of Waldorf Astoria in Japan marks a defining moment for Hilton’s luxury portfolio in Asia Pacific,” said Candice D’Cruz, vice president, Hilton Luxury Brands, Asia Pacific. “From the legendary Waldorf Astoria New York—an enduring symbol of luxury and sophistication—to this exceptional new address in Osaka, we are expanding a legacy built on timelessness, innovation and intuitive service. We look forward to delivering truly effortless stays and unforgettable experiences that reflect both the rich cultural heritage of Osaka and the brand’s sincerely elegant service.”

The hotel was designed by  internationally acclaimed architect Andre Fu, who took inspiration from the original New York hotel. 

“Much of the design echoes the art deco heritage that Waldorf Astoria embraces,” he says. “We juxtaposed art deco grandeur with Japanese craftsmanship. That was very much the soul and spirit of the integrity of the concept.” 

This is especially prominent in Peacock Alley, the iconic bar and lounge at the heart of the Waldorf Astoria experience. The Osaka rendition is an elegant day-to-night social space with soaring triple-height ceilings, mesmerising views and a statement clock—an art deco pièce de résistance that anchors the room, fashioned from a 144-year-old timepiece by legendary Japanese manufacturer, Seiko. 

Here, champagne flows and too-pretty-to-eat high tea towers are whisked from the kitchen to tables. Even the uniforms worn by staff in Peacock Alley fuse art deco flair with Japanese craftsmanship—like the box pleated skirts worn by waitresses, made from a beautiful fabric that echoes those used to craft kimono. 

In the guest rooms, sculptural lamps bookend ornate wooden headboards built using the Japanese technique of Kumiko, where thin wooden pieces are precisely grooved, punched, and mortised before fitted together without the use of nails or glue.  

Speaking of guest rooms, the 252 at Waldorf Astoria Osaka are some of the largest in the city, the most luxurious of which are two 1,570 sq ft penthouse suites and a more than 2,000 sq ft Presidential Suite. All rooms boast views that sweep across the city, from a sea of skyscrapers to Osaka Bay to the mountains of Hyogo. 

Ahead of designing the hotel, Fu took multiple trips to Osaka to familiarise himself with the city’s rhythms, nuances and quirks, and to find inspiration in its architecture. “I visited art deco buildings that were built in the 1920s and 1930s,” says Fu, adding that a visit to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Yodoko Guest House in Ashiya, 45 minutes’ drive from Osaka, inspired the trapezium lamps throughout the hotel.

Osaka is, indeed, full of surprises, and Fu wanted to make sure the hotel reflected this. 

“A lot of people associate high end luxury hotels with tranquillity, but in the curation of art [for Waldorf Astoria Osaka] I focused a lot on colour. “We’ve got strong pops of indigo blue, caramel yellow and sage green,” says Fu. 

One of the most prominent pieces is a sculpture in the lobby by late Japanese artist Jun Kaneko, a large ceramic orb adorned with pops of bright yellow and coral pink, with black polka dots - a contemporary holler amidst the space’s quieter, more traditional Japanese pavilion look with oak posts and bronze screens.

“I really wanted to have his work in the project because it has a bold pop  of colour,  that, to me, is what differentiates Osaka from other Japanese cities. It’s edgy, and it has grit,” says Fu. 

Tatler tip: A personal favourite design element is the glass-encased courtyards scattered throughout the hotel’s public spaces, from the reception to its airy French brasserie, Jolie. These serve as living galleries that will transform with Japan’s seasons - Sakura in the spring, vibrant flowers in the summer, fiery hues of autumn and the tranquil, snowy white of winter. 

Innovative dining is core to  the Waldorf Astoria—after all, it was Waldorf Astoria New York that invented the Waldorf Salad and popularised the eggs benedict. 

At Waldorf Astoria Osaka, its signature restaurant Tsukimi showcases the innovative nature of Japanese cuisine: from exquisite Kobe beef sourced from a farm that sells exclusively to Tsukimi; buckwheat soba handmade the traditional way by the chef, who spent months with a soba master honing his skills; and warabi mochi made in front of you, as a chef skilfully stirs and mixes the bracken starch to a perfect consistency. And none of it feels performative—it’s intentional, authentic and rooted in respect. 

For a nightcap, Canes and Tales is the hotel’s speakeasy. “The bar is kind of a crescendo, a speakeasy that’s tucked away. When conceptualising the bar, I imagined… if the founder of the Waldorf Astoria came to Osaka and wanted to create a bar that tells the story of the brand, what would that look and feel like?” says Fu of the seductive space, which features cascading art deco style lighting, a long bar and lush velvet seating. Be sure to check out the tiles at the back of the bar, which are fashioned from an old map of Osaka during Japan’s Edo Period (1603-1868). 

“I think what differentiates a good hotel from a great hotel is when you walk in and you know that there is a story to be told,” says Fu. “You know that there is a meaningful narrative. In this case, it’s that you’re seeing Osaka through the lens of Waldorf Astoria.” 

The brand will continue to grow in Japan, with its next outpost in Tokyo’s vibrant Nihonbashi district —one of multiple properties currently under development as part of Hilton’s plan to double the 34-strong Waldorf Astoria brand.

Later this year, Waldorf Astoria Shanghai Qiantan will open in Shanghai's New Bund area, giving guests a front-row seat to the city’s electric energy with panoramic views of the Huangpu River. The hotel's interior design draws inspiration from ornate Chinese cultural elements and an art deco style that echoes the energetic elegance of Shanghai in the roaring 1920s. 

Next year is equally exciting, with the opening of Waldorf Astoria Kuala Lumpur marking the brand’s debut in Malaysia. Set to redefine luxury in the heart of the city’s prestigious Golden Triangle, the hotel is a stone’s throw from landmarks such as KLCC, Pavilion Mall and the vibrant pocket of Bukit Bintang. 

 In addition to upcoming debuts in Sydney, Hanoi, Jaipur, Waldorf Astoria will also make its long-awaited entry into London at Admiralty Arch, one of the city’s most iconic historical landmarks. Hilton is revitalising the landmark property in partnership with owners Reuben Brothers, with design led by architects Aros to envision the 100-key hotel. We hear the Presidential Suite is going to be spectacular—with sweeping views of Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square. 

“Waldorf Astoria has all the right ingredients to reimagine old world elegance and heritage in a thoughtful way.,” says D’Cruz. “After all, each and every Waldorf Astoria across the globe is influenced by the original—the legendary Waldorf Astoria New York—‘The Greatest of Them All’.”