Ellen Franke, General Manager at Patina Osaka, talks about her career, the new hotel’s wellness offerings, and the trends she’s excited about for 2025.
Patina Hotels & Resorts is a modern luxury lifestyle brand from the award-winning Capella Hotel Group designed for travelers seeking seamless transitions between work, play, and wellbeing. Their flagship property, Patina Maldives, Fari Islands, offers 90 contemporary one- to three-bedroom Beach and Water Pool Villas, alongside 20 Fari Studios, all of which encourage connection and soothe the senses. The brand emphasizes sustainability, meaningful connections and transformative experiences. Patina’s commitments to personalized, exceptional service and environmental responsibility create a harmonious blend of sanctuary and stimulation, fostering meaningful connections for discerning guests with themselves and their surroundings.
Set to open in 2025, Patina Osaka is Patina’s first urban property, blending the brand’s signature ethos with the vibrant energy of the city. Designed to cater to modern travelers, the property will feature thoughtfully curated spaces that seamlessly integrate luxury, cultural immersion, and holistic wellness. Guests can expect transformative experiences that celebrate Osaka’s rich heritage while embracing Patina’s commitment to sustainability and innovation. This new venture marks a bold step in expanding the brand’s footprint, offering a sanctuary for those who value balance amidst the urban rhythm.
Ellen Franke brings a wealth of global experience and a deep commitment to transformative hospitality to her role as General Manager of Patina Osaka. A leadership style dedicated to fostering teamwork and excellence ensures that Patina Osaka will be both a vibrant urban retreat and a shining example of modern luxury hospitality. We asked Ellen Franke about her career, the new hotel’s wellness offerings, and the trends she’s excited about for 2025.
Can you please talk about yourself? What is your role and what does it entail?
Konichiwa (hello in Japanese)! I’m Ellen Franke, General Manager of Patina Osaka, the first urban hotel under Patina Hotels & Resorts and the first Patina in Japan. I’m excited to immerse myself, my teammates and guests into the world of transformative luxury and I bring over 25 years of experience in luxury hotel management across Europe, the USA, China, and Malaysia. I began my hospitality career in the food and beverage sector and later transitioned into the travel sector with several Ritz Carlton properties worldwide. Throughout my hospitality career, I have embraced a culture of service and excellence. I believe the key to delivering exceptional customer service is a well-supported team, so I constantly strive to empower my teammates to work in unity.
As the hotel General Manager, I am responsible for overseeing daily operations to ensure high guest satisfaction, managing the financial performance to maximize profitability, and leading the property team by providing guidance, training, and fostering a positive work environment.
As Patina Osaka prepares for its 2025 opening, what unique wellness concepts are in store?
Patina Wellness, Patina Hotels & Resorts’ holistic wellness program, is a fresh concept that will focus on functionality and results. We are high-touch and high-impact. Patina Wellness promotes a balanced and grounded lifestyle rooted in community. The new holistic concept aims to nourish both the mind and the body.
We have an entire floor dedicated to offering bespoke treatments and serene sanctuaries for guests to unwind and revitalize. As an urban wellness destination, we are excited to introduce our comprehensive offerings. Specifically, our menu of technology-assisted treatments, restorative and traditional spa treatments, innovative beauty treatments and fitness, movement and mindfulness classes that will appeal to like-minded and conscious travelers.
Can you share any details about sustainable or eco-friendly practices that will be implemented in the spa and wellness areas?
We are committed to sustainability and eco-friendly practices in our spa and wellness areas. We are excited to offer only top-quality, natural and organic skincare and wellness products that are chemical-free and sustainably sourced. Patina prioritizes sourcing locally to support the community and to care for the planet. The hotel lives and breathes with a mindful, biophilic design, offering a serene environment that connects guests with nature. Patina Osaka’s interior concept is inspired by memories of the adjacent Naniwa no Miya Ato Park and Osaka Castle, connecting our guests with the memories, history and heritage of the land. Each level of the hotel is individually designed to pay homage to the land and features natural elements like copper, wood, earth and water.
Ingredients at P72, Patina Osaka’s signature restaurant, will be grown from Patina’s own organic garden, with specially selected produce that showcase the best of the Kansai region. I’m truly excited about the positive impact our offerings can make in Osaka.
How will Patina Osaka’s wellness programming reflect or incorporate Japanese wellness traditions?
Our wellness programming will deeply reflect and incorporate Japanese wellness traditions, creating a unique experience for our guests. Some key elements that reflect Japanese tradition will include:
Mindfulness and Zen Practices: Our programming will emphasize mindfulness through practices such as meditation and yoga, drawing from Zen philosophies that encourage inner peace and balance.
Seasonal Rituals: We plan to incorporate seasonal wellness rituals that align with Japanese customs, celebrating the changing seasons and their impact on wellbeing. This might include seasonal ingredients in our treatments and wellness menus. For example, during Cherry Blossom season, Patina will implement outdoor yoga and cultural wellness activities in the park across from Osaka Castle as well as Cherry Blossom facials.
Nature Connection: We’ll create serene spaces that encourage a connection with nature, reflecting the Japanese appreciation for the natural world, which is integral to wellness.
By weaving these traditions into our offerings, we aim to provide a holistic wellness experience that not only rejuvenates the body but also nourishes the spirit, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the beauty of Japanese culture.
What innovative technologies or practices will be incorporated into Patina Osaka and its facilities?
The Well-Tech therapies at Patina Osaka will feature the latest in the wellness industry, inspired by biohacking, and include devices/machines/equipment such as ice baths, cryotherapy chambers, infra-red saunas, hyperbaric oxygen capsules, red light photo-biomodulation capsule etc. They promote optimal well-being; support recovery and rehabilitation and they tend to work best with a facility with a strong gym/fitness focus and are often supported by physiotherapy services.
With the wellness industry seeing an increased focus on holistic wellbeing to enhance healthy aging and longevity, people are paying more attention to internal and external factors that impact human health. At the same time, health-conscious individuals are looking to find a community of like-minded individuals who share a passion for wellness with the perspective of nurturing wellness as a lifelong journey. At Patina Osaka, we’ve kept this ongoing trend in mind to offer a collection of practices that will best reflect today’s modern, wellness-minded traveler.
What trends or developments are you excited about for 2025?
I’m excited about several trends and developments in wellness and spa for 2025. Here are a few that stand out:
Holistic wellness approaches: There’s a growing emphasis on holistic wellness that integrates physical, mental, and emotional health. This means more personalized programs that cater to individual needs, combining fitness, nutrition, and mindfulness. At Patina we understand that everyone has their own pace when it comes to their wellness journey and therefore are looking to reflect industry trends to provide tools and programs that will offer tailored journeys and offer a holistic approach.
Technology integration: The use of technology in wellness is on the rise, from virtual reality meditation experiences to apps that track wellness goals, giving us a new perspective on health. I’m particularly excited about how these new tools and innovations can enhance the guest’s experience and provide tailored wellness journeys that will give us more intel on how our bodies and minds work in tandem.
Sustainable practices: As sustainability becomes increasingly important, I’m thrilled to see more spas adopting eco-friendly practices. This includes using natural products, minimizing waste, and creating serene environments that connect guests with nature. At Patina we have prioritized all these practices as well as emphasizing supporting local to reduce carbon mileage to connect our guests to their current place.
Cultural wellness experiences: There’s a trend towards incorporating local cultural practices into wellness offerings. This allows guests to engage with the traditions of the region, enhancing their overall experience.
Mental health focus: The importance of mental health is gaining recognition, leading to more programs centered around stress relief, mindfulness, and emotional well-being. I believe this shift will create a more supportive environment for guests.
These trends reflect a broader understanding of wellness as a multifaceted journey, and the team is looking forward to bringing these elements to life at Patina Osaka.
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