Following a refined keep on the Conrad Osaka, my subsequent go to could be to a extra lighthearted and vibrant lodge, the W Osaka.
This lodge opened in March 2021 on bustling Midosuji Boulevard within the Shinsaibashi neighbourhood, changing into the primary W location in Japan.
W Resorts are edgy, design-centric options to standard accommodations, and its properties exude an equal mixture of creativity and conviviality. As a fan of the model myself, I used to be trying ahead to scoping out one of many latest and most enjoyable additions to the W’s international portfolio.
W Osaka – Reserving
On the time of my keep, it was extra beneficial to e-book with factors than money on the W Osaka.
I used to be in a position to e-book this keep for simply 43,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors, which is among the many lowest redemption ranges you’ll sometimes see right here on the W Osaka.
Extra sometimes, you may count on to pay between 50,000–60,000 Bonvoy factors per evening. Money charges fall inside the vary of ¥50,000–70,000 ($475–662 CAD), however can climb upwards of ¥90,000 ($855 CAD) at busier occasions.
Primarily based on our present valuation of 0.9 cents per level, the W Osaka can certainly be a worthwhile alternative for redeeming factors or a Free Night time Award, particularly if money charges are excessive.
W Osaka – Location
The W is extra central than the Conrad Osaka, the place I had beforehand stayed earlier than transferring all the way down to the W.
The lodge is nestled within the purchasing district of Shinsaibashi, whereas well-known Dotonbori’s vibrant nightlife scene is only a 15-minute stroll from the lodge.
The closest metro stations are only a few minutes from the lodge on foot. Hommachi Station is seven minutes north, whereas Shinsaibashi Station is a five-minute stroll to the south.
The lodge can also be situated near a number of of Osaka’s well-known landmarks and vacationer sights.
Take a fast stroll south, and also you’ll end up in Amerikamura, or “American Village”, a group of backstreets and alleys filled with homages to American and the guts of Osaka’s youth tradition.
Just some stops east on the Chuo Line from Hommachi Station is Osaka Citadel, whereas the Tsutenkaku Tower is well reachable by way of the Midosuji Line from Shinsaibashi Station.
For these flying domestically, Osaka Itami Airport is a 20-minute journey by automotive or 45 minutes by prepare from the lodge. Osaka Kansai Worldwide Airport is round a 45-minute journey by automotive, or simply over an hour by prepare.
W Osaka – Test-in
There are two entrances to the lodge; nevertheless, the grand pedestrian entrance on the principle pedestrian road of Midosuji Boulevard was quickly closed.
As an alternative, we arrived on the car entrance on the again, marked with illuminated neon lights underneath a wall of “W” letters.
The W Osaka’s black monolith façade emulates the starkness of Japan’s Edo interval. Nevertheless, as quickly as you stroll in, it’s the exact opposite, with spirited interiors designed by Amsterdam-based Studio Concrete.
These interiors draw a distinction between the minimalism of Japanese design and the maximalism of city life, as exemplified by the prolonged tunnel lined with round patterns that you simply first stroll by upon coming into.
The arrival foyer encompasses a putting 3D geometric Asanoha design on the ceiling, recreating a preferred Japanese conventional motif. The granite flooring and the ottomans scattered throughout the foyer make use of the identical idea.
From right here, the elevator will take you as much as The Dwelling Room on the third ground, which is W’s signature tackle a traditional lodge foyer.
The pod-like check-in counters are tucked away in a nook, surrounded by extravagant LED lighting.
Previous to our arrival, we had used a Suite Night time Award to substantiate an improve to the Marvelous Suite. We have been feeling fairly ecstatic that the lodge allowed us to safe an improve to its third-highest suite sort utilizing the Suite Night time Award.
The associates knowledgeable us of our complimentary breakfast within the morning and accepted our late check-out request. Furthermore, we have been knowledgeable that as suite visitors, we’d not be required to pay for pool entry.
The lodge expenses roughly ¥6,000 ($54 CAD) for pool entry, which is considerably absurd to me. The pool expertise is usually one of many highlights of a W lodge, so the truth that it’s topic to an extra cost right here at W Osaka undoubtedly raised an eyebrow.
If you happen to use a Suite Night time Award or e-book a collection immediately, the charge is waived. Nevertheless, exterior of utilizing a Suite Night time Award, pool entry continues to be chargeable even for those who obtain a complimentary improve to a collection.
After a clean check-in, we have been handed our keys and headed as much as the Marvelous Suite in Room 2410, by way of a moody set of devoted elevators for the visitor rooms.
W Osaka – Marvelous Suite
Getting into the visitor room hallway, you’ll encounter neon lights and quirky ground patterns which might be typical of the W model.
The visitor room doorways are performed with walnut, whereas the opposite facet of the wall consists of aluminum reflective ridges.
Relying on the ground, the room numbers are illuminated with neon lighting that emits a blue or pink glow.
Located on the nook of the constructing, the Marvelous Suite could be very spacious, with a traditional W model aesthetic. The suite encompasses a separate dwelling space and bed room, with charming 90-degree views of the energetic metropolis of Osaka.
Every room on the W Osaka has a distinct color palette, in accordance with its ground. The theme right here on the Marvelous Suite was a vibrant blue that may be seen within the rugs and ornamental particulars of the suite.
As you enter, the mini-bar and pantry are situated on to your proper. The pantry is stocked with a wide range of alcoholic drinks, snacks, espresso, and tea, and you’ll sit on two bar stools and take within the north-facing views.
Shifting into the suite, the dwelling space encompasses a brown leather-based sofa, ottoman, and occasional desk parallel to the flat-screen TV that sits on the fringe of the home windows.
On the desk within the dwelling space, we have been greeted with a welcome present of some juices and sweets.
A small eating desk with seating for 3 is to the precise. A swivelling chair within the nook gives one of the best view in the home, with views going through each north and west throughout the floor-to-ceiling home windows.
The bed room can also be spacious and fairly cozy. On the foot of the king mattress is a seating space with a delicate blue rug, woven ottoman, and leather-based barrel chair.
The flat-screen TV sits inside an oak wood enclave, fronting the king mattress. Subsequent to the bed room’s home windows, there’s a small seating space and a mirror.
The toilet of the suite is semi-open, separated by a frosted sliding display door. The area is gorgeous, its partitions and flooring adorned with gray marble.
Behind the doorways are a big circular-shaped bathtub and a double vainness with spherical LED mirrors. The bathe and bathroom are housed in their very own respective chambers.
The suite additionally encompasses a small secondary toilet close to the doorway.
Tucked away within the closet are pixorama artwork of Osaka’s well-known sights and sounds. In my view, this was a inventive and unique shock that actually matched my expectations for the primary W property in Japan.
W Osaka – Cozy Room
I additionally had the chance to take a tour of the lodge’s base-level Cozy Room. The structure is similar because the Fantastic Rooms one class larger, that are simply located on a better ground.
On the far finish of the room, a vibrant mini-bar is tucked away subsequent to a window with a sweeping view of Osaka.
As you progress again into the room, a chaise longue is tucked towards the wall subsequent to the window.
The area then opens as much as the bed room space, which comes with a wicker chair and bedside tables with black and white hanging lamps.
Throughout from the mattress, you’ll discover a flat-screen TV tucked towards a vibrant wall. To the precise of the TV, you’ll discover a small storage space and a few black bathrobes.
Lastly, the toilet is nestled subsequent to the mattress, hidden by sliding doorways. The comfortable area has a tub, bathe, and a novel vainness island.
W Osaka – Breakfast
Breakfast is hosted in Oh.LaLa, which is the restaurant on the third ground of the lodge.
The area has a vibrant and ethereal environment, with curved cubicles and sheer curtains falling from the ceiling. Right here, blue accents, zigzag designs, and polka-dot gildings replicate the distinctive W aesthetic.
Breakfast is served within the type of a set menu on weekdays and a buffet on weekends. For our keep on a Monday, we had a set menu.
There was a alternative between American, Japanese, “detox”, and continental set breakfasts to choose from. I went for the Japanese breakfast, whereas Jessy opted for the Western.
Usually, I discover the breakfast at Ws to be hit-or-miss relying on the property, however on this case, it hit the spot excellent. The Japanese set plate gave me a balanced begin to the day, all washed down with a robust black espresso.
The W Osaka’s breakfast wasn’t practically as extravagant as among the buffet spreads at different high-end accommodations we visited on this journey, but it surely was nonetheless tasty and satisfying nonetheless.
Plus, the lodge had a breakfast attendant strolling round carrying a pastry tray, which I assumed was a pleasant playful contact.
The choices included donuts, croissants, bread, buns, and another inventive and vibrant treats, and we couldn’t assist however attempt a number of of the engaging donuts.
W Osaka – Eating
Oh.LaLa gives all-day French and worldwide eating, along with breakfast within the morning. In actual fact, the restaurant is run underneath a partnership with Osaka’s Michelin-starred La Cime restaurant.
The W’s ground-floor Teppanyaki MYDO restaurant is simply accessible by way of its personal entrance entrance, which is separate from the lodge entrance. This venue serves teppanyaki for lunch and dinner.
Wanting carefully, you’ll discover that lots of Teppanyaki MYDO’s partitions are decked out in hand-drawn art work by native artist Seitaro Kuroda, one other reflection of Osaka’s youthful and gregarious spirit.
Additionally accessible by way of its personal entrance on the bottom ground was the MIXup espresso store. The realm has a classy color scheme and gave the impression to be a pleasing place to unwind with a specialty beverage in hand.
Lastly, Ukiyo is the lodge’s hidden sushi restaurant, open for dinner solely. The venue has simply 10 seats, the place skilled cooks put together Edomae sushi in entrance of you.
In one other enjoyable transfer on the lodge’s half, Ukiyo’s existence is marketed on-line, however not on the precise property.
You’ll must be “within the know” to request it and make a reservation, and then you definitely’ll be given a hidden key card that offers you entry to the intimate eating area.
W Osaka – Bar
The Dwelling Room’s central bar was a full of life spot to hang around, and we loved a number of drinks right here within the night.
Together with the remainder of the Dwelling Room, the bar acts as a central spot for mixing and mingling on the lodge.
The area options vibrant chairs and rectangular lamps that dangle from the ceiling at numerous heights, mirroring the colourful lanterns of Dotonbori.
W Osaka – Different Amenities
The W model’s signature Away Spa is discovered on the fourth ground, accessible by way of both the foyer or visitor room elevators.
The health centre was extremely spectacular, with a cutting-edge structure and design. Flooring-to-ceiling home windows allowed loads of mild to stream into the area, which was accentuated by the fitness-inspired neon mild strips adorning the partitions.
There was additionally a formidable quantity of apparatus. Along with the standard cardio machines and free weights, there have been two high-tech Mirror exercise machines, yoga gear, and a punching bag.
WET is the lodge’s indoor plunge pool, set underneath vibrant neon lights and alongside spacious day beds.
The pool was a bit extra low-key than I’d count on from a W property, although to be honest, being smack dab in the midst of one of many world’s busiest cities makes it onerous to do something too inventive with the pool.
There may be an open-air central courtyard on the Away Spa ground, accessible by way of a set of sliding doorways, with loads of seating dotted round underneath massive cover umbrellas.
Reverse that is the WET Bar space. Throughout the summer season, the whole area is an open idea, and I may see it being a extremely enjoyable area to hang around.
However on condition that the bar was now closed for the season throughout our keep, I didn’t assume the pool space as a complete could be price paying the ¥6,000 premium if we weren’t staying in a collection.
The spa companies are situated near the pool space, that includes therapeutic massage rooms, a non-alcoholic bar with rejuvenating drinks, and a jacuzzi within the altering rooms.
Conclusion
Though I largely loved my keep on the W Osaka, I have to say it didn’t have fairly the identical wow-factor as different Ws I’ve stayed at previously.
If you happen to’re in search of a luxurious lodge in Osaka, you’ll seemingly have higher choices to select from for a “true” luxurious expertise in comparison with the W, which is commonly accused of prioritizing fashion over substance.
For instance, I’m not a fan of the lodge’s resolution to cost for pool entry, which detracts from the enchantment of what’s often a pretty amenity at most W properties.
Having mentioned that, visitors sometimes choose the W for its dynamic and youthful environment, and that undoubtedly holds true right here on the Osaka location.
Certainly, some observers may’ve been shocked that Japan’s first W lodge opened in Osaka fairly than Tokyo. However after staying, I’d say it makes excellent sense for the model, given the edgier and extra playful tradition that you simply’ll discover right here in Japan’s second metropolis.
Add within the lodge’s central location and the power to make use of a Suite Night time Award for the putting Marvelous Suite, and the W Osaka simply may be price attempting – for those who match the profile.
