W Osaka Review: A Black Monolith on Midosuji Boulevard

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W Osaka entrance on Midosuji Boulevard at dusk

On Midosuji, W Osaka pairs a black façade, designed under the supervision of Tadao Ando, with interiors that make bold use of colour and light. After shopping in Shinsaibashi, you might dine at Oh.lala…, where French cooking takes on Japanese elements, and finish with cocktails at LIVING ROOM.

Check current W Osaka room categories on Expedia →(Paid link)

In this guide

Plant-filled lounge area with city windows at W Osaka

Black Restraint Outside, Osaka Colour Within

Ando’s influence is clearest from the street, where the building stands on Midosuji as a single dark volume. Inside, the Amsterdam studio Concrete has used saturated colour, mirror-like surfaces and changing light. An illuminated entrance tunnel leads into the colourful interior.

The public spaces combine seating areas and sculptural lighting with views over the avenue. On the third floor, LIVING ROOM brings together lounge seating, dining, a bar and a DJ booth beneath a brightly coloured ceiling, serving as both the hotel lobby and a social venue for Osaka.

The bold colour continues at WET, where blue light surrounds the indoor pool.

High-floor lounge at W Osaka with globe lights and city views

W Osaka Living Room with colourful seating and illuminated ceiling art

Choosing a Corner Room Overlooking the City

For two guests who want a city view, we recommend the Premier. At about 42 square metres, it is a corner room overlooking the city, with one king bed. It sleeps two, and extra beds are not available.

If you prefer separate beds, look to the Cozy and Deluxe rooms, each around 40 square metres. Both come with either one king bed or two double beds, and the king-bed rooms add a sofa and a bathtub separate from the shower.

The guest rooms have a softer palette than the public spaces, with pale surfaces, a custom rain shower, signature W bed, 55-inch television and Bluetooth speaker. MIXBar is a minibar and cocktail station; check prices before opening items.

Guest room at W Osaka with floor-to-ceiling city views

Evenings in a Separate Living Room

In the Urban, about 60 square metres, the living room with its sofa is separate from the bedroom, so you could order dinner from room service and spend the evening in.

The W Suite, around 80 square metres, combines a separate living room with corner-room views through large windows. The bathroom has a deep bathtub.

The Supreme Suite, on an upper floor, extends to approximately 120 square metres, with an open kitchen and a six-seat dining area in its spacious living room.

On the top floor, the Penthouse covers about 200 square metres and has a ceiling height of 4.5 metres. It is made up of five spaces and comes with a bar, a kitchen and even a DJ booth.

On Expedia, compare the floor area, bed type and view details given for each listed room.

Compare W Osaka rooms and rates on Expedia →(Paid link)

WET, FIT and AWAY Spa

WET is a neon-lit indoor pool that opens towards the planted WET Deck.

The WET indoor pool is normally open to hotel guests aged 16 and over. Children aged six and above can use it during a dedicated children’s session from noon to 5:00 p.m., with advance registration required.

FIT is complimentary for staying guests and operates around the clock, with Technogym cardio and strength equipment plus a yoga room. AWAY Spa contains five treatment rooms, a relaxation zone, showers, sauna, steam room and beauty bar. Treatments require appointments and are separately charged.

FIT gym at W Osaka with cardio and strength equipment

Breakfast and Six Dining Venues

Breakfast is served at Oh.lala…, the hotel’s French-influenced brasserie, with both American and Japanese choices and a mix of buffet and à-la-carte dishes.

Oh.lala… continues into lunch and dinner, combining French technique with Japanese influence. At Teppanyaki MYDO, dishes are cooked on the teppan, while Sushi UKIYO offers a more intimate Edomae counter. MIXup serves coffee, sweets and afternoon tea, and WET Bar & Deck, on the pool terrace, opens seasonally.

Each venue has its own opening days, dress code and age policy. Sushi UKIYO is currently closed on Sundays and Mondays and has an age requirement. If there is a restaurant you would like to try, book once your dates are fixed and check its opening days again before you travel.

Twenty-four-hour in-room dining is useful after a late arrival. On other evenings, you might dine at the hotel or head out to Shinsaibashi or Dotonbori.

Japanese and Western breakfast buffet at W Osaka

Private dining room at W Osaka overlooking the city

A Final Drink at LIVING ROOM

Whether you have dined in the city or at Oh.lala…, LIVING ROOM is the place for a last drink of the evening. With a cocktail bar, dining and a DJ booth, it welcomes guests from afternoon tea through to evenings of music and cocktails. Guests under 16 are not admitted after 6:00 p.m.

Midosuji, Shinsaibashi and Airport Access

W Osaka stands at 4-1-3 Minami Semba on Midosuji, approximately three minutes’ walk from Exit 3 of Shinsaibashi Station. The Midosuji Line runs directly to Umeda and Shin-Osaka, which is convenient for getting around the city and for onward rail journeys. Shinsaibashi-Suji and luxury boutiques are close by.

Guests arriving with heavy luggage may prefer a taxi from Shin-Osaka or Osaka Station rather than negotiating transfers and street exits. Kansai International Airport is approximately 49 kilometres away and Itami about 17 kilometres away; W Osaka does not provide a hotel airport shuttle.

Whether airport rail, a limousine bus or a taxi works best depends on your arrival time and party size, so check the final connection before you travel. Self-parking and valet parking are available on site; confirm the current charges when you book.

Staying with Children or Pets

Bed type, maximum occupancy and rollaway availability vary by room. Enter every child in your Expedia search and check the sleeping arrangements.

The hotel currently welcomes pets under set conditions, which cover the number of pets, their weight, the fees and which rooms can be booked. Rules on vaccinations, bedding and public areas also apply, so confirm them in advance.

One Night or Two?

One night is enough for a stay focused on the hotel. Arrive around check-in, explore the interiors, make time for WET and reserve dinner or drinks. Keep the following morning for Oh.lala… and a walk through Shinsaibashi.

Two nights are better when you plan to see more of Osaka. You can spend one evening at the hotel and another in the city, with time for the pool or spa as well as Dotonbori, Namba or a trip north to Umeda.

A longer stay gives more time to enjoy both the hotel’s design and its location close to Shinsaibashi. Over several nights, breakfast costs are also worth factoring in.

WET pool and open-air deck at W Osaka illuminated at night

Before You Book

Breakfast: Breakfast at Oh.lala… is charged separately. Check whether it is included in the Expedia rate you choose.
Cancellation and payment: Check the conditions of the Expedia rate you book.
Check-in and check-out: Standard times are 3:00 p.m. and noon.