The W Osaka is a hotel that’s not afraid to do things differently. While the city’s classic luxury hotels cater to business travellers and those looking for formal five-star grandeur, visitors seeking something bolder, more playful and unabashedly stylish should turn their attention to W Osaka. Located on Midosuji Boulevard – the city’s answer to the Champs-Élysées – this hotel blends Osaka’s playful spirit with a high-design aesthetic.
The 337-room property, masterminded by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Tadao Ando, is a striking black monolith from the outside, but inside it’s an explosion of colour, texture and attitude. The rooms are modern and indulgently sleek. The room I stay in is Wonderful, both figuratively and literally – the room classes at the W run Cozy, Wonderful, Spectacular, Fantastic, Marvelous and Wow. After dark the floor-to-ceiling windows offer a neon vista that is everything you want from a stay in a Japanese city. The Extreme Wow presidential suite on the top floor offers an even more cinematic experience – you can spend hours watching Osaka’s streetlife play out beneath you and there’s even a DJ booth to provide your own perfect soundtrack.
The rooms follow W’s signature ‘Whatever/Whenever’ ethos, meaning you get all the high-end touches you need for winding down after a day of takoyaki-fuelled exploration, plus some delightful playful local flourishes – the bespoke W-branded packs of Pocky, the local chocolate-covered biscuit sticks that conquered the world, are a particular delight.
The W is a social place though and you’ll find buzzy pockets throughout. The Wet Deck is an indoor pool/lounging space that clings to Instagram feeds year round, while the Living Room – the hotel’s take on a lobby bar – is a haven of calm: order yourself an exotic alcoholic mix (possibly including honey from the neighbourhood’s urban bees) and kick back to the mellow sounds of the inhouse DJ. Bliss.
Dining is equally impressive. Teppanyaki restaurant Mydo puts a modern, playful twist on Osaka’s soul food against a backdrop of artworks by 82-year-old local artist Seitaro Kuroda, Oh.lala… delivers chic French brasserie vibes with Japanese precision, Ukiyo's sushi is sublime while patisserie Mixup collaborates with local and international brands to serve up something unique.
For anyone looking to experience Osaka in all its bold, stylish and high-energy glory, W Osaka delivers in spades. It’s a hotel that boasts the great views and effortless chic you’d expect from a Japanese five star, but throws in enough local touches to make it a place that can only exist in Osaka. You’ll sleep happy here.
Neighbourhood
W Osaka sits in the heart of Minamisenba, slightly away from the main touristy trawl. This works to its advantage, with the area feeling like a playground for Osakans. Fashion lovers will be drawn to the high-end boutiques lining Midosuji, while foodies should take the hotel’s back entrance to explore the restaurant-lined streets behind the hotel.
Nearby
Tsujita Shinsaibashi Part of a small chain (there are five outlets across the city), this no-reservation ramen joint is a pioneer of rich tonkotsu-gyokai dipping noodles.
Joule One of the best clubs in the city occupies a triple-storied space with a monster dancefloor and roof terrace, featuring everything from house to hip-hop.
Parco Don’t be fooled by the luxury stores on the ground floor – there’s more to this shopping centre than just designer labels, with anime offerings on the fifth floor and a lively neon food hall in the basement.