5 features that make this new Tokyo hotel perfect for your next stay

Tokyo is a city of a zillion hotel choices, making it tough to pinpoint the perfect one for your stay. But hear me when I say there is no need to keep hunting, because I’ve found it for you: OMO5 Tokyo Gotanda by Hoshino Resorts.

Hoshino Resorts has been around in Japan since 1914 when they started with a ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn. They’re now a big-time hotel management company that is known for taking older hotels and flipping them to make them modern, clever and comfortable.

Make no mistake, this is not a soulless chain that makes you feel like you could be in any city in the world. Hoshino loves a detail, and OMO5 Tokyo Gotanda is full of them, ready to make your stay unforgettable.

Here are five things I really loved about it.

1. Their connection to the neighbourhood

Gotanda is just a short train ride away from major neighbourhoods like Shinjuku and Shibuya, but tucked away enough that you feel like you’re in on a little secret. And the secret is foodie heaven: there are 1300 restaurants scattered around the suburb, from hidden izakayas to modern international cuisine.

The hotel really loves their neighbourhood: as soon as you walk in, there’s a map on display, highlighting tips and insider recommendations from their team members. There’s also a local ‘OMO Ranger’ stationed by the map every evening from 4-6pm, ready to provide personalised suggestions and point you towards your ideal meal, whether it be pizza or katsu.

The love for Gotanda extends all the way through to the bricks and tiles in the hotel room, reflecting the design of neighbourhood eateries, all the way through to the artworks and even the carpet on the ground (look out for the map on the lobby floor, and the star showing where the hotel is located). 

2. The fun foodie activities

Everyone’s a foodie in Japan, because the food is amazing – and OMO5 Tokyo Gotanda makes it easy for you. Kick off the day with breakfast, where you can choose between onigiri or western; but let it be clear that we recommend the onigiri. With 10 different kinds available, from salmon and sour plum to simmered beef, it’s made on an original blend of rice created by a five-star rice meister (yes, really) and served with a miso that’s been served up at a miso speciality store in Gotanda since 1922.

From 3pm, our hot tip is to stop by reception for the Gotanda Gourmet Express Pass. For 2000 yen (around AU$20), you can get a ticket that gives you 30 minutes of exclusive access to one of the local restaurants. This includes a specialty dish and a drink; ours was for a yakitori bar that is otherwise impossible to get a reservation for, and is both an easy and excellent way to uncover the city’s gems.

If you’re still not full after all that, you can also grab a special evening set served in the hotel cafe before you head up to bed: fried chicken and yakitori from a 70-year-old restaurant in the neighbourhood, served up with a speciality OMO Lemon Sour or Japanese rum and Coke.

3. The hang-out spots

I’m used to running around Tokyo, trying to see and do as much as possible. But when a hotel is this comfortable, it’s tough to want to leave.

The lobby is home to OMO Base, on level 14, 60 metres up in the sky: this is where you’ll find the cafe and a mega-spacious garden terrace. You can play board games here provided by the hotel, work by the water feature or just soak up the sunshine, all with stunning views of the city (and if it’s a mega-clear day, a glimpse of Mt Fuji). By evening, it turns into a relaxed ‘night party’, complete with specialty lighting, games and music.

There’s also a library with reserved seating for guests and a dog garden for four-legged guests that is so fancy, it looks like a high-end co-working space.

4. The comfort features

At OMO5 Tokyo Gotanda, it’s all about feeling relaxed and comfortable, with an eco-conscious side. Their sustainability station is located in the lobby, where you can load up on toiletries, slippers and pyjamas when you need to, saving having them re-stocked in the rooms.

As for rooms: they’re cosy and well designed, with stunning views of the city, tatami flooring, comfortable beds and additional seating for both work and play. And as it’s less than a year old at time of writing, everything still feels very fresh.

5. Fun for all ages (and furry friends)

The hotel has no less than 17 rooms where four-legged friends are welcome. But if you’re like me, and had to leave your dog at home while bringing your wild toddler along instead – you’re in luck.

My little guy had so much space to stretch his legs around the lobby and garden terrace: because it’s 14 floors up and only accessible by a lift, there was no fear of him escaping through doors and onto a road.

The hotel is just steps away from local convenience stores and also has a number of items to buy in the cafe, so I could keep him and his endless snack requests happy. There’s also a laundry room, a gym for some mum me-time, microwaves/fridges/kettles in the rooms, and a free locker area to keep your luggage once you’ve checked out.

We were in a deluxe room and found it was more than generous in size compared to your average Tokyo hotel room, but there’s also an “OMO House Suite” for up to six people, which includes a kitchen, making it perfect for group stays. However, hot tip, the hotel brand doesn’t provide rental items such as cots, so bring your own if you need one.

Ready to stay at OMO5 Tokyo Gotanda? Rooms start from ¥28,000 per night – click here to find out more.

Natalia and her family were hosted by Hoshino Resorts.