W Hotel Osaka. A design space to celebrate the spirit of the city
W Hotel Osaka. A design space to celebrate the spirit of the city

W Hotel Osaka. A design space to celebrate the spirit of the city

Located on Midosuji Boulevard, a new 27-story skyscraper, designed by Nikken Sekkei and with a facade overseen by Tadao Ando, is home to Japan's first W Hotel. A monolithic exterior conceals a world of extravagance within that is inspired by the city's many facets

Each W Hotel was designed by a series of foreign designers invited to offer their personal outsider's vision of the city. Concrete was inspired by both simplicity and tradition, as well as modernity and extravagance creating a design concept of extravagant simplicity to celebrate the true spirit of the city of Osaka

W Hotel Osaka. A design space to celebrate the spirit of the city

The "wow" experience begins when you enter the long arrival tunnel from the main entrance on Midōsuji Boulevard. With inspiration from delicate flowers and the fine art of origami, more than 3,000 circles have been laser-cut from metal and folded at random. The lights behind the abstract flower change colors with the 4 seasons and shift in intensity from day to night creating an otherworldly portal into the world of W Osaka

W Hotel Osaka. A design space to celebrate the spirit of the city

In a standard hotel, the first thing guests see is the check-in desk. In contrast, upon exiting the elevator, W Osaka guests immediately see the bar, the social heart of the hotel. Above the indoor lounge floats a cloud of rectangular lamps that create an interplay of light from purple to pink, orange, yellow, blue and green

W Hotel Osaka. A design space to celebrate the spirit of the city

The interior design of the restaurant is inspired by France, starting with the traditional copper pots and pans and the typical blue and white striped shirt. Along the wall stainless steel shelves are decorated with porcelain objects. Clouds of small ball lights are suspended at different elevations adding a sparkle from above

W Hotel Osaka. A design space to celebrate the spirit of the city

The rooms alternate the color theme on each floor, between pink and blue sakura allowing guests to choose the color they prefer. The floor-to-ceiling windows offer natural light and stunning views of the city. A beautiful lighting design transforms the room with dramatic pink or blue diagonal stripes, inspired by Osaka neon. Behind the walnut doors of the closets is a surprisingly colorful Osaka "pixorama" featuring the city's most famous landmarks

W Hotel Osaka. A design space to celebrate the spirit of the city

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