The problem with Tokyo, if there ever was one, is deciding which area of the city to stay in when visiting. My criteria is often based on the closeness to subway stations and Haneda airport.
This is where Omo5 Tokyo Gotanda comes into play and makes the most sense. A fairly new hotel, having opened in April 2024, it a six-minute walk to Gotanda Station, which has the JR Yamanote Line and Toei Asakusa Line, and is some 30-minutes from Haneda by car. Though, that is not all. A mere two-minute walk is Osaki-Hirokoji Station (Tokyu Ikegami Line), which is a life-saver when the JR line isn’t running on time or is shut. A further 10-minute walk is Osaki Station and needless to say, your subway needs are met.
The hotel is in the the Gotanda JP Building and the 110 generously-sized rooms offer fantastic views. The 10 different room types are situated between the 16-20th floors offering views of Gotanda, Meguro and Osaki. A signature feature of Omo5 Tokyo Gotanda is the Omo Base off the lobby, which is on the 14th floor. It is a dynamic space offering 1,200m² (yes, that number is correct) that can be used to work, eat or just relax.
Also, on the lobby floor is the open hotel boutique and the Omo Cafe & Bar, which is the breakfast restaurant. Though an all-day cafe offering freshly-brewed lattes, snacks and drinks, breakfast offers onigiri. You have to choose two from a choice of 10 toppings and expect to find classics such as umeboshi, simmered beef, green chilli spicy cod roe, etc. The onigiri comes with miso soup made with miso from Sakamoto Shoten, a miso specialty store in Gotanda since 1922. Skip the American breakfast as its not satisfying. There is also a small buffet of yoghurt, fruit, tea, coffee and juices.
Insider's tip: The onigiri is made under the supervision of a five-star rice meister, a certified master in rice preparation. The rice is sourced from Sumidaya, a rice specialty store founded in 1905 and the onigiri uses an original blend developed for Omo.
Omo5 Tokyo Gotanda is a pet-friendly hotel and the lobby floor also has a pet park, pet grooming room, indoor pet play area and rooms for those checking in with their furry family members. Also on this floor is the Garden Terrace with waterscapes and on a clear day a corner view from the garden offers a glimpse of Mount Fuji. Though it also makes a great spot for star gazing at night.
The hotel also has a gym from where you can make workouts less painful if you look out of the window and see Mount Fuji. Next door is a laundry room with a water dispenser, ice machine and a microwave.
Since I was in Japan, I opted for a room with a tatami so I had to remove shoes at the door. There are 10 such rooms and they have Japanese bathrooms and some have tubs, which are a huge plus with me. The bed are actually wood platforms on which mattresses are place. If you're a fidgety sleeper, the mattress may move but it is the window-length day bed from where you get the best views of the city. At night, it is quite spectacular, especially with the neon Omo5 sign in the room.
Though pyjamas are provided, toothbrushes and combs are not. But fear not, the lobby has a stand where you can take what you need, shower caps, too.
But all this is just an add on for what is the real signature personal touch — the "Go Kinjo" service. While the hotel was under construction, the staff got to know the area; so well that the hotel has a huge "machi naka" in the lobby, which is an original map created by staff, known as "Omo Rangers". There is an introduction to the map, which takes around five to 10 minutes and once it's done, all you have to do is choose where to eat!
Perhaps, I should come clean and say I also chose Omo5 Tokyo Gotanda because it used to be one of Tokyo's red light districts and hence Gotanda's streets are a culinary paradise! There's even a Kenyan restaurant, should you be wanting a taste of Africa! The hotel offers the "Gotanda Gourmet Express Pass" is a special ticket, which gives access to one dish and a drink at a popular restaurant for 30 minutes, where the wait list is long and reservations take months.
The hotel also offers a "Gotanda Hills Bar-hopping Tour", which offers access to the Gotanda Hills building with some 40 restaurants and bars. The party continues with the Omo's Chill Night Party, that is hosted on the garden terrace every night. Sip your free drink under the skies with jazzy notes, engage in board games or make new friends with the other guests.
In a city like Tokyo where accommodation can be expensive, especially for families, Omo5 Tokyo Gotanda excels due to its location, affordability, family rooms, comfortable beds, friendly staff and ample space. Need I say more?!
