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Overview: W Osaka | Prince of Journey

Overview: W Osaka | Prince of Journey

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Following a refined keep on the Conrad Osaka, my subsequent go to can 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, turning into the primary W location in Japan.

W Motels are edgy, design-centric options to standard resorts, and its properties exude an equal mixture of creativity and conviviality. As a fan of the model myself, I used to be wanting 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 capable of 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 night time. 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.

Based mostly 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.

When you’re reserving a Marriott lodge, take into account making your reserving by way of the Prince of Journey affiliate hyperlink, which helps to help the web site.

Click on right here to e book Marriott resorts.

W Osaka – Location

The W is extra central than the Conrad Osaka, the place I had beforehand stayed earlier than shifting 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 just some 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 be positioned 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 set of backstreets and alleys filled with homages to American and the center of Osaka’s youth tradition.

Only a few stops east on the Chuo Line from Hommachi Station is Osaka Fort, 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 automobile or 45 minutes by practice from the lodge. Osaka Kansai Worldwide Airport is round a 45-minute journey by automobile, or simply over an hour by practice.

W Osaka – Examine-in

There are two entrances to the lodge; nonetheless, the grand pedestrian entrance on the primary pedestrian road of Midosuji Boulevard was briefly closed.

W Osaka – Exterior

As a substitute, we arrived on the automobile entrance on the again, marked with illuminated neon lights underneath a wall of “W” letters.

W Osaka – Exterior
W Osaka – Entrance

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 just first stroll by way of upon getting into.

W Osaka – Entrance tunnel

The arrival foyer includes a hanging 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.

W Osaka – Foyer lounge
W Osaka – Foyer lounge

From right here, the elevator will take you as much as The Residing Room on the third ground, which is W’s signature tackle a standard lodge foyer.

W Osaka – The Residing Room

The pod-like check-in counters are tucked away in a nook, surrounded by extravagant LED lighting.

W Osaka – Examine-in desks

Previous to our arrival, we had used a Suite Night time Award to verify an improve to the Marvelous Suite. We had been feeling fairly ecstatic that the lodge allowed us to safe an improve to its third-highest suite kind utilizing the Suite Night time Award.

The associates knowledgeable us of our complimentary breakfast within the morning and authorized our late check-out request. Furthermore, we had been knowledgeable that as suite company, we might not be required to pay for pool entry.

The lodge fees 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. 

When you use a Suite Night time Award or e book a set immediately, the payment is waived. Nevertheless, outdoors of utilizing a Suite Night time Award, pool entry continues to be chargeable even for those who obtain a complimentary improve to a set.

After a easy check-in, we had 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 – Elevators

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 accomplished with walnut, whereas the opposite facet of the wall consists of aluminum reflective ridges.

W Osaka – Hallway

Relying on the ground, the room numbers are illuminated with neon lighting that emits a blue or pink glow.

W Osaka – Room 2410

Located on the nook of the constructing, the Marvelous Suite could be very spacious, with a basic W model aesthetic. The suite includes 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 special color palette, based on 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 positioned on to your proper. The pantry is stocked with quite a lot of alcoholic drinks, snacks, espresso, and tea, and you may sit on two bar stools and take within the north-facing views. 

W Osaka – Marvelous Suite mini-bar space
W Osaka – Marvelous Suite mini-bar
W Osaka – Marvelous Suite pantry

Transferring into the suite, the dwelling space includes a brown leather-based sofa, ottoman, and occasional desk parallel to the flat-screen TV that sits on the fringe of the home windows.

W Osaka – Marvelous Suite dwelling space
W Osaka – Marvelous Suite dwelling space
W Osaka – Marvelous Suite dwelling space

On the desk within the dwelling space, we had been greeted with a welcome reward of some juices and sweets.

W Osaka – Marvelous Suite welcome reward

A small eating desk with seating for 3 is to the suitable. A swivelling chair within the nook presents the most effective view in the home, with views going through each north and west throughout the floor-to-ceiling home windows.

W Osaka – Marvelous Suite nook seat with view

The bed room can 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.

W Osaka – Marvelous Suite bed room
W Osaka – Marvelous Suite bed room
W Osaka – Marvelous Suite mattress

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.

W Osaka – Marvelous Suite lavatory
W Osaka – Marvelous Suite lavatory
W Osaka – Marvelous Suite vainness

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.

W Osaka – Marvelous Suite bathtub
W Osaka – Marvelous Suite bathe
W Osaka – Marvelous Suite bathroom

The suite additionally includes a small secondary lavatory close to the doorway.

W Osaka – Marvelous Suite half-bathroom

Tucked away within the closet are pixorama artwork of Osaka’s well-known sights and sounds. In my view, this was a artistic and unique shock that definitely matched my expectations for the primary W property in Japan.

W Osaka – Marvelous Suite closet

W Osaka – Cozy Room

I additionally had the chance to take a tour of the lodge’s base-level Cozy Room. The format is similar because the Fantastic Rooms one class larger, that are simply located on the next 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.

W Osaka – Cozy King Room minibar

As you progress again into the room, a chaise longue is tucked towards the wall subsequent to the window.

W Osaka – Cozy King Room dwelling space

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.

W Osaka – Cozy King Room bed room
W Osaka – Cozy King Room bed room
W Osaka – Cozy King Room mattress

Throughout from the mattress, you’ll discover a flat-screen TV tucked towards a vibrant wall. To the suitable of the TV, you’ll discover a small storage space and a few black bathrobes.

W Osaka – Cozy King Room flat-screen TV

Lastly, the lavatory is nestled subsequent to the mattress, hidden by sliding doorways. The comfortable area has a bath, bathe, and a novel vainness island.

W Osaka – Cozy King Room lavatory

W Osaka – Breakfast

Breakfast is hosted in Oh.LaLa, which is the restaurant on the third ground of the lodge.

The area has a brilliant and ethereal ambiance, with curved cubicles and sheer curtains falling from the ceiling. Right here, blue accents, zigzag designs, and polka-dot gildings mirror the distinctive W aesthetic.

W Osaka – Oh.LaLa seating
W Osaka – Oh.LaLa seating

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 selection between American, Japanese, “detox”, and continental set breakfasts to select 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 powerful black espresso.

W Osaka – Japanese set breakfast
W Osaka – Eggs Benedict

The W Osaka’s breakfast wasn’t almost as extravagant as a few of the buffet spreads at different high-end resorts we visited on this journey, nevertheless it was nonetheless tasty and satisfying nonetheless.

W Osaka – Western breakfast
W Osaka – Fruit and salad plate

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 artistic and vibrant treats, and we couldn’t assist however attempt a couple of of the engaging donuts.

W Osaka – Breakfast attendant pastry tray

W Osaka – Eating

Oh.LaLa presents all-day French and worldwide eating, along with breakfast within the morning. Actually, the restaurant is run underneath a partnership with Osaka’s Michelin-starred La Cime restaurant.

The W’s ground-floor Teppanyaki MYDO restaurant is just accessible by way of its personal entrance entrance, which is separate from the lodge entrance. This venue serves teppanyaki for lunch and dinner.

W Osaka – Teppanyaki MYDO seating

Wanting carefully, you’ll discover that lots of Teppanyaki MYDO’s partitions are decked out in hand-drawn paintings by native artist Seitaro Kuroda, one other reflection of Osaka’s youthful and gregarious spirit. 

W Osaka – Teppanyaki MYDO seating

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.

W Osaka – MIXup espresso store

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 need to be “within the know” to request it and make a reservation, and you then’ll be given a hidden key card that offers you entry to the intimate eating area.

W Osaka – Ukiyo entrance
W Osaka – Ukiyo seating

W Osaka – Bar

The Residing Room’s central bar was a energetic spot to hang around, and we loved a couple of drinks right here within the night.

W Osaka – Bar at The Residing Room
W Osaka – Bar at The Residing Room

Together with the remainder of the Residing 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 – The Residing Room
W Osaka – The Residing Room
W Osaka – Drinks at The Residing Room

W Osaka – Different Services

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 format and design. Ground-to-ceiling home windows allowed loads of mild to circulation into the area, which was accentuated by the fitness-inspired neon mild strips adorning the partitions.

W Osaka – Health centre
W Osaka – Health centre

There was additionally a powerful quantity of apparatus. Along with the same old cardio machines and free weights, there have been two high-tech Mirror exercise machines, yoga gear, and a punching bag.

W Osaka – Health centre
W Osaka – Health centre
W Osaka – Health centre

WET is the lodge’s indoor plunge pool, set underneath vibrant neon lights and alongside spacious day beds.

The pool was a bit of extra low-key than I would 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 arduous to do something too artistic with the pool.

W Osaka – WET pool
W Osaka – WET pool
W Osaka – WET 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 giant cover umbrellas.

W Osaka – WET pool courtyard

Reverse that is the WET Bar space. Throughout the summer time, the complete 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 can be value paying the ¥6,000 premium if we weren’t staying in a set. 

W Osaka – WET Bar

The spa companies are positioned near the pool space, that includes therapeutic massage rooms, a non-alcoholic bar with rejuvenating drinks, and a jacuzzi within the altering rooms.

W Osaka – Away Spa
W Osaka – Jacuzzi at Away Spa

Conclusion

Though I largely loved my keep on the W Osaka, I need to say it didn’t have fairly the identical wow-factor as different Ws I’ve stayed at prior to now.

When you’re searching for a luxurious lodge in Osaka, you’ll doubtless have higher choices to select from for a “true” luxurious expertise in comparison with the W, which is usually accused of prioritizing type over substance.

For instance, I’m not a fan of the lodge’s choice to cost for pool entry, which detracts from the enchantment of what’s normally a horny amenity at most W properties.

Having mentioned that, company sometimes decide the W for its dynamic and youthful ambiance, and that undoubtedly holds true right here on the Osaka location. 

Certainly, some observers may’ve been stunned that Japan’s first W lodge opened in Osaka reasonably than Tokyo. However after staying, I’d say it makes good sense for the model, given the edgier and extra playful tradition that you just’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 hanging Marvelous Suite, and the W Osaka simply could be value making an attempt – for those who match the profile. 



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