Published date: August 21, 2024
A Sophisticated Hotel for Airplane Lovers
Room Type Stayed
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Experience of the stay
I absolutely love Hoshino Resorts! I love OMO! I love airplanes! This was my first time staying at OMO Kansai Airport.
Rather than using the airport for travel, I visited by car as a travel stop and arrived late at night, so the OMO Kansai Airport parking (maximum fee of 600 yen every 24 hours) was fully occupied.
However, information about nearby parking is displayed at the car drop-off area.
When I parked on the roof of NPC Rinku Town No. 3 Parking (500 yen for the first 12 hours after entry, only once, maximum 600 yen for 24 hours, applicable for up to 10 days), it only took 2 minutes on foot to get to the hotel entrance with no elevation changes through the connecting passage! Even with large bags and suitcases, access was easy, and the front desk offered airport-style luggage carts for loan, which I utilized because I had a lot of luggage.
If you use the train, it’s just one station from Kansai International Airport, and the nearest station is the JR/Nankai Line 'Rinku Town' Station, just outside exit 5.
In the morning, there are shuttle buses and shuttle Hiace vans to the airport (both require advance reservation and may be full), so if you plan to use them, be sure to make a reservation right after check-in.
In the lobby on the second floor, there are self check-in and check-out machines, reminiscent of airplane automatic check-in, lined up near a huge airplane. You take a white and black designed card key from the right-hand side, hold it up to the adjacent machine to receive your room key.
There is a hotel guide brochure beyond that, which contains hints for enjoying your stay.
Since I arrived around 12:30 AM and the large public bath and sauna were open until 1:00 AM, I brought the towel bag from my room. The semi-open-air bath had a large screen showing beautiful Japanese scenery, with a comfortable breeze blowing, which was very soothing.
*Hours for the public bath and sauna are
15:00 - 25:00 and the next day 4:00 - 10:30 (free for guests)
Check-out is also done using the check-in/check-out machine on the second floor.
If there are no additional charges, you just scan the QR code in your room and a few simple operations will allow for a smooth check-out, and you can return your room key in the 'KEY DROP' located near the elevator on the second floor and entrance on the first floor before departing.
This was very convenient when I was in a hurry or short on time.
On the second floor, there are rental clothes available for 200 yen each, and sizes are plentiful. Next to that, there’s a shop that will excite airplane lovers, and there are simple free amenities by the front desk.
There is a 24-hour convenience store 'Lawson' on the second floor, and nearby there are drugstores and a trial supermarket within walking distance, making it very convenient.
The water from the faucet in the room doesn’t seem suitable for drinking, but a water jug is provided in the room.
Each floor has water dispensers, ice machines, and microwaves, which can be used 24 hours a day.
The room was also a twin, but there was enough space to spread out my belongings, and the bath and toilet are separate, with a user-friendly washbasin.
Breakfast was served from 6 AM, so I could enjoy it leisurely before departing.
At the reception in front of the restaurant, you input the number of people from a tablet and complete payment.
An adult (over 7 years) costs 1800 yen, and a child (ages 4-6) costs 500 yen, making stylish breakfast offerings very affordable as well.
Even if the breakfast venue gets crowded, I think it's very good that they have spread out the buffet stations so that people can take what they want from anywhere.
For those who don't have time to enjoy breakfast, there are takeaway trays and bags available for takeout.
The pancakes, which are the specialty of the breakfast, were incredibly delicious!
Although my stay was only about 7 hours, it was functional and full of playfulness, making it a very comfortable and enjoyable experience. I want to visit multiple times and become a traveler who can use this place stylishly and smartly.
Experiences during the trip
On the morning of check-in day, I swam with whales at Kujira Beach in Taiji Town, Wakayama, visited the whale museum to watch the whale show and feed them, and then went dolphin swimming at Dolphin Base, a pioneering facility in Taiji Town.
That night, I had made a reservation to observe sea turtle nesting in Minabe Town, Wakayama, which is the largest nesting ground for loggerhead turtles in Honshu, so I waited at the waiting area until nesting time and checked in at OMO Kansai Airport around 12:30 AM.
Since the southern part of Wakayama is quite far and takes time even by car, being able to check in late at night was a relief. It truly was a healing and memorable stay for even just a short moment, making it a wonderful trip.
Next time, I want to ride a rental bike around the area or visit the Rinku Outlet Mall.