OMO5 Otaru by Hoshino Resorts

The hotel offers a unique blend of historic charm and modern comfort, with its signature feature being the beautifully renovated former Otaru Chamber of Commerce building, providing a stylish and nostalgic ambiance, particularly in its lounge and dining areas. Guests consistently highlight the hotel's excellent location, placing key Otaru attractions within easy walking distance, and praise the cleanliness and comfort of its accommodations. The breakfast receives widespread acclaim for its quality and variety, while the staff are generally commended for their helpfulness and friendly demeanor. This hotel is an ideal fit for sightseers looking to explore Otaru on foot, couples seeking a romantic and atmospheric stay, and skiers or snowboarders benefiting from dedicated storage facilities and convenient transport links. To enhance your stay, be prepared for limited in-room amenities and utilize the lobby water server for complimentary water, and consider the highly-rated breakfast for a delightful start to your day.

Facilities & Amenities
Guests find the hotel's facilities generally modern and well-maintained, contributing to a comfortable stay. The hotel provides laundry facilities with washer/dryers, which is a significant convenience for longer stays. For winter sports enthusiasts, there is a dedicated ski storage room and even a ski waxing setup with wax provided, which is highly appreciated. While some guests note the absence of a swimming pool or public bath, the overall ambiance and design, particularly in the historic wing's lounge with its oil lamps and antique disc music boxes, create a unique and warm atmosphere. However, some guests mention a lack of in-room amenities like coffee or tea bags, requiring them to be obtained from the lobby, and the water server is located on the first floor, necessitating guests to fill their own bottles. The hotel also offers free Wi-Fi throughout the property, ensuring connectivity for all guests.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
The hotel generally receives high marks for cleanliness, with many guests describing rooms as spotless and well-maintained. Rooms are often noted for being spacious, especially the bathrooms, which frequently feature both an overhead and handheld shower and sometimes a comfy tub. Guests appreciate the comfortable beds and fresh linens, ensuring a restful night's sleep. However, some reviews from guests staying in the older, renovated wing mention issues such as a toilet that smells bad due to poor ventilation, or minor mold around tiles in the bathroom. A recurring comment is the lack of hooks for hanging clothes or towels in the bathroom, which can be inconvenient. While some rooms are described as having ample space for luggage, others, particularly in the older wing, are considered a bit small, making it challenging to open large suitcases. Noise levels are generally reported as low, contributing to a quiet environment.

Dining & Food Quality
The breakfast at the hotel consistently receives high praise, often described as excellent, delicious, and a highlight of the stay. Guests appreciate the variety of options, which include unique items like churros with chocolate dip, squid shumai, and seafood donburi, alongside a good selection of Japanese and Western dishes. The breakfast buffet is noted for its high quality and appealing presentation, with many guests enjoying the opportunity to try local Otaru specialties. The restaurant itself, located in the historic building, is commended for its stylish ambiance and high ceilings, creating a pleasant dining experience. While the selection might be considered limited by some, the quality of the food, including the fresh white rice and various bread options, is widely appreciated. The bar in the old building is also mentioned for its pleasant atmosphere, though some find the drink selection limited or slightly overpriced.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel boasts an excellent location, making it highly convenient for exploring Otaru. It is within easy walking distance of major attractions such as the Otaru Canal, Sakaimachi Street, and numerous restaurants and shops. While some guests note that the Otaru JR Station is a 10-15 minute walk, which can be challenging with luggage or in snowy conditions, many find the proximity to the main tourist areas outweighs this. Parking is a frequently discussed topic; the hotel has a very limited number of on-site spots (around 3-6 cars), and guests are often directed to the adjacent TIMES parking lot, which is paid and can fill up quickly, especially during peak times. Some guests express frustration with the parking situation, including the cost and the need to find alternative paid lots further away. Despite parking challenges, the hotel's central position is a significant advantage for most visitors.

Staff & Service
The staff at the hotel generally receive high commendation for their friendliness, helpfulness, and professionalism. Many guests highlight the attentive service provided by the front desk, who are often willing to assist with inquiries, provide local recommendations, and even help with unexpected issues like car rental problems. The check-in and check-out process is typically described as seamless, with automated machines available for efficiency, though some guests experienced delays or inflexibility regarding early check-in. While most interactions are positive, a few guests reported isolated instances of less accommodating service, particularly concerning specific requests or communication barriers. Overall, the staff's dedication to providing a pleasant experience, including their polite demeanor and willingness to assist, contributes significantly to guest satisfaction, making visitors feel welcome and well-cared for.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware that the hotel operates with a policy of providing minimal in-room amenities, meaning items like coffee, tea bags, or complimentary bottled water are not typically found in the rooms and may need to be purchased or obtained from a central water server in the lobby. Similarly, room wear is available for a small rental fee. The hotel has a luggage forwarding policy that requires "Cash on Delivery" for services like Ta-Q-Bin, which can be inconvenient for guests trying to send ski equipment or large bags to the airport, as airport services often require "Payment at Origin." The hotel's design incorporates both a modern new wing and a renovated historic building, with some guests preferring the newer rooms for their contemporary feel and others appreciating the unique character of the older wing. There is only one elevator for several floors, which can lead to wait times during busy periods, especially when guests are departing for or returning from ski activities.