We Stayed in Grand Hyatt Tokyo’s Pokémon 30th Anniversary Room—Here’s What It’s Really Like

It’s been 30 years since we left Pallet Town to be the very best, like no one ever was. From the original 151 Pocket Monsters (ポケットモンスター) to more than 1,000 Pokémon—the name was shortened to ポケモン not long after the games were released—the franchise has been on quite a journey. Celebrations are well underway with special card packs, various events, and exclusive collaborations with brands such as Rimowa, ANA and Grand Hyatt Tokyo.

If you’re planning a trip to Tokyo to visit PokéPark Kanto, score some Japan-only collaborative goods, or join in on other Pokémon-themed festivities, a cosy place to recharge is essential. That was exactly the adventure I had with an active Pokémon Go player (my husband) and an even more active Pikachu fan (my toddler). Thus, tucked away in Roppongi Hills, Grand Hyatt Tokyo was a welcome respite for this retired Pokémon trainer.

Not only is the hotel in a great location and a strategic starting point for daily adventures, but it’s also celebrating Pokémon’s 30th anniversary with exciting summer stay packages and dining experiences from June 20 to August 26. For the former, guests can opt between the Pokémon 30th Anniversary Grand Adventure Suite Stay (from JPY 400,000) or Pokémon 30th Anniversary Grand Adventure Stay (from JPY 71,500)—each featuring themed décor, original collaboration amenities and more.

Pokémon 30th Anniversary Grand Adventure Stay

I had the privilege of previewing the Pokémon 30th Anniversary Grand Adventure Stay in one of the Twin Rooms, which helped complete the immersion for my two travel partners. Upon entering the room, we were greeted by a sticker mural of several fan-favourite Pokémon on the mirror before spotting a Pikachu sitting in a basket with colourful balloons. This very Pikachu soaring away with balloons serves as the star motif of this year’s collaboration between Pokémon and Grand Hyatt Tokyo, as it perfectly embodies the spirit of adventure. 

There were also nature-inspired decorations adorning the headboard with small Pokémon plush toys, as if they emerged from their natural habitats. Meanwhile, artworks depicting the four original starter Pokémon were hung on the wall, adding the finishing touches to the room. Only eight rooms will be decked like this during the collaboration’s duration, and each adult guest will also receive Grand Hyatt Tokyo’s original collaboration amenities, such as an original passport case, T-shirt, hat, and tote bag. However, amenities are limited to two sets per reservation.

The stay includes a daily breakfast buffet at The French Kitchen, featuring original pancakes with a flying Pikachu stamp. As someone who only drinks coffee with toast for breakfast at home, the buffet altered my stomach’s values in life. From the crispiest bacon to the freshest fruit and salad bar, and a generous selection of sashimi and traditional Japanese dishes, it was a wondrous start to each day. The “Pikachu pancakes”, as my toddler called them, were fluffy and made for an interesting combination with the sea of blue jelly and fruit balls.

Pokémon x Grand Hyatt Tokyo anniversary collaboration menus

Elsewhere in the hotel, Grand Hyatt Tokyo’s restaurants and pastry boutique will also be serving Pokémon-inspired dishes from June 20 to August 31. The limited-time menu items will be available to in-house guests and the general public. For a refreshing afternoon treat, Fiorentina’s Flying Pikachu Summer Parfait is a gorgeous combination of smooth mascarpone mousse, peach-flavoured butterfly pea blue jelly, fragrant coconut jellies, and ice cream balloons. 

For a heavier meal, the all-yellow Flying Pikachu Gourmet Burger Set at The Oak Door aims to tantalise every palate with its juicy 100 per cent beef patty. The patty was coated in a flavourful combination of ketchup and house-made BBQ sauce. Personally, the sauce, a blend of ginger, garlic, honey and mustard, elevated the burger considerably. Served on an original Pokémon-inspired luncheon mat, the burger is also paired with curry-flavoured French fries, chilled corn soup and a refreshing Pikachu Yellow Soda topped with mango ice cream and layered with jelly. It was one of my favourite meals of the whole trip. 

For those with a sweet tooth or looking for a great souvenir, Fiorentina Pastry Boutique will have several treats that would surely please any Pokémon fan. The Pokémon 30th Anniversary Mango Cake is an extravagant delight for a summer get-together. The Grand Adventure Sweets Trunk Case, with cookies and gourmet chocolates, comes in an original case and tote bag. The Grand Adventure Baton Chocolates, meanwhile, reimagine the hotel’s popular baton chocolates with Pokémon-inspired motifs and are accompanied by a commemorative tote bag. It’s worth mentioning that some of these cookies and chocolates will also be available individually.

Pokémon 30th Anniversary Grand Adventure Suite Stay

The more exclusive Pokémon 30th Anniversary Grand Adventure Suite Stay will be housed in the expansive Chairman Suite, where wild Pokémon seem to appear around every corner, just as they do in the games. Guests are first welcomed by a surreal sight of 30 Pikachu plushies arranged in a beautiful green space. Step into the bathroom, and you’ll find Water-type Pokémon like Squirtle and Lapras, while Fire-type Pokémon like Charmander and Vulpix reside in the bedroom. It’s as close to Pokémon Pokopia as you can get. 

The stay also includes in-room dining for the Flying Pikachu Gourmet Burger set, as well as an American breakfast set featuring the Pikachu pancakes. As for the original collaboration amenities, guests will receive a passport case, cushion, polo shirt and outdoor lamp featuring an original Pokémon x Grand Hyatt Tokyo anniversary logo. Additionally, a 30th anniversary talking Pikachu figure and plush toys of Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle are also included in the package.

Game Over

By the end of our stay, I was happy to report that both the older and younger Pokémon fans were immensely satisfied. My husband would like to add that Pokémon Go players will have plenty of PokéStops and Gyms to interact with around the hotel, too. As a first-time mother, I particularly appreciated the hotel’s little considerations for families with children. You can request extra amenities such as diapers and baby bath items. Other items available to borrow include kids’ toilet seats, a baby bathtub, a milk bottle warmer and even bed and corner guards.

Combined with clear views stretching towards Mount Fuji from our window on a sunny day, it was the most charming stay of our trip. As Grand Hyatt Tokyo is no stranger to collaborating with Pokémon—they previously did Pokémon Sleep Stay packages too—the experience was elegantly curated, immersive and genuinely delightful. Suffice to say, even if Pikachu has checked out of the hotel, I’ll definitely be checking in again on my next trip to Tokyo. 

 

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For more information or to make a reservation, visit Grand Hyatt Tokyo’s website. Reservations are also recommended for the Pokémon-inspired menu items.

Photos courtesy of ©Pokémon. ©Nintendo/Creatures Inc./GAME FREAK inc.