In the Japanese city that continues to defy expectations and dance to its own eclectic beat, the W Osaka makes perfect sense. It is the unapologetic face of luxury lifestyle in a metropolis often referred to as Tokyo’s rebellious younger sibling. While Tokyo is all about corporate poise and Kyoto, zen-like serenity, Osaka is altogether different – a vibrant, boundary-pushing city with an international flair that is unique within the country. And now, there is an OutThere hotel that celebrates it.
Traditionally, Osaka’s hotel scene has been dominated by glassy, Japanese-standard business hotels – efficient, corporate, but perhaps lacking contemporary character. They serve their purpose (and very well at that, may we add) but in our humble opinion, they don’t give visitors the true experiential soul of the city. Osaka, with its late-night neon party scene, its food streets brimming with the joyous buzz of vendors, and its people’s famously open hearts, has long needed a place where it could see itself in the mirror. Enter the W Osaka, which does just that, all with a funhouse lens.
The hotel façade already set the tone as we approached it. It’s sleek and minimal, a monochromatic slip of black glass. From the minute we stepped inside, the W Osaka bursts into life. Designed by the late (and great) Tadao Ando, a master of special harmony, the interiors blend archetypal Japanese clean lines and modernism with bursts of colour and light, creating an immersive experience that strikes just the right balance between luxury and lifestyle.
Admittedly, we have always been a bit on the fence about Marriott-owned W. Undoubtedly, it is a playful brand, albeit at times contrived, or perhaps even faddy, with style dominating over substance. In the past, we have felt that it hasn’t lived up to the expectations and needs of OutThere travellers.
But lately, we have been impressed, especially by the newer W properties. There seems to be a much greater lean towards marrying luxury and lifestyle and a move towards creating immersive environments that cater to experientially conscious guests.
This Osaka outpost certainly exemplifies this next-gen brand ethos with panache and channels this energy beautifully. There’s a definite sense of fun, from the playful art installations to rainbow-coloured furnishings to the “Whatever/Whenever” concierge service, which seems to genuinely mean whatever and whenever. At the W Osaka, they seem to understand that true luxury is as much about experiences as it is about things. The staff are pros at connecting guests with the city’s hidden gems, whether it’s a tucked-away izakaya where the chef still grills over charcoal or an under-the-radar vintage shop in Amerikamura. There’s a sense of genuine enthusiasm when they share these tips, a kind of insider knowledge that made us feel like we were always getting the VIP treatment.
The hotel also shines in its inclusivity. The W brand has long championed the LGBTQ+ community, and the W Osaka is no exception. In a country that is rapidly opening up, but where traditional values often hold sway, this hotel is one of a number in Osaka that is leading the charge, creating a safe, welcoming environment for queer staff and guests alike. Perhaps this sense of effortless acceptance comes from the way the well-oiled team here at the hotel made us feel at all times… like we were staying with and among friends – there’s no room for pretense or judgment… just good vibes
Our room at the W Osaka was everything you’d expect from the brand today: modern, comfortable and equipped with just the right amount of fun without being too gimmicky. Bright Voxel Kawaii style wallpaper illustrating a hedonistic and unexpected Osaka lined a large storage cupboard (hurray, finally Ws have somewhere you can hang your clothes and keep your suitcases out of sight) and a counter flanked by floor-to-ceiling windows that offered views of the glistening sprawl of this expansive city. If needed, it transforms into a party-hearty minibar, and our room attendant was always sure to leave some fun amenities, including W Osaka branded Pocky treats.
| Perfect for | Fly into | Right on time |
| The Hedonist | KIX / ITM | GMT +9 |
| While you’re Out There |
| Since joining the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA) in 2018 and hosting its annual convention (for the first time in Asia) in 2024, the city of Osaka has been on a mission to portray itself as a welcoming destination for LGBTQ+ travellers. The Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau has been working tirelessly to foster a more inclusive atmosphere across the city, from offering diversity training to staff to organising LGBTQ+ FAM trips. At the forefront of this initiative is Visit Gay Osaka, a pioneering portal site for LGBTQ+ travellers – the first of its kind in Japan by a local tourism bureau. This site is a hub of invaluable resources, featuring insights from local LGBTQ+ voices, plus details on friendly bars, restaurants, cafes, events, travel services, and much more. |
Osaka is Japan’s unofficial capital of hedonism, where eating until you drop – or kuidaore – is practically a sport, and the nightlife pulses long after the clock strikes midnight. So, it may come as no surprise that there was fab dining and drinking to be had at the W Osaka. The hotel’s restaurants showcase Osaka’s culinary diversity, offering everything from sushi to sizzling teppanyaki with a side of theatre. There’s French food on offer too, if we were so inclined. And true to the brand’s playful side, there are always unexpected touches. At breakfast, we found an entirely unnecessary but utterly delightful candy floss machine – because why not?
The Living Room, W’s version of a hotel lobby, is a social hub in its own right. Guests and locals alike gather here, sipping craft cocktails and lounging in vibrant, rainbow-bright seating. And unlike some hotel bars that lean too hard into a scene-y vibe, the Living Room at W Osaka struck a good balance between lively and laid-back. There’s also the rooftop WooBar on the property’s WET (pool) deck, where the drinks are as strong as the city views and the DJ sets pulse into the early hours. Both bars are new cultural hubs in the city, a place where Osaka’s creative crowd comes to see and be seen.
We’re going to have to admit that with what Osaka had to offer us seasoned foodies and bar-hoppers, we didn’t eat or drink at the hotel at all during our stay, so we can’t honestly attest to them. Our recommendation would always be to get out and explore the local scene, but if for some reason you lack a spirit of discovery or find yourself exhausted from all that exploring, rest assured you need not venture far for a decent meal.
There’s also a deeper cultural side to the W Osaka, a side that goes beyond the parties and the playful design. The hotel has become a platform for local artists and musicians, hosting events and exhibitions that connect guests with the creative pulse of the city. The hotel’s ‘W Happenings’ calendar is packed with events, from pop-up art shows to fashion installations, each one curated with an eye for local talent, making the hotel part and parcel of the city’s evolving, creative story.
All this said, we appreciate that this vibe may not be universally appealing. Those looking for more polished traditional luxury – and with that, the sort of service that comes with it – may find it all a bit too casual. We met a gay couple at the hotel on a tour of Japan who felt that it was too “American” and lacked a sense of place for them. We empathised with what they were saying, but ultimately, we felt that the W Osaka is exactly what the city needs. It may be bold, sometimes brash and perhaps a little bit bonkers, but we mean that in all the best ways. There are, of course, the bigger, more corporate hotels aplenty too, so staying at the W Osaka is going to always be ‘a choice’. But what we liked most about it was that it offered a refuge from the predictability of traditional hospitality and a place where visitors who refuse to be ordinary can immerse themselves in the spirit of a city that also refuses to be ordinary.
Photography courtesy of W Hotels
