Route 15 is a mess. If you've spent any time trekking through the Kalos region, you know exactly what I mean. Between the fallen leaves and the constant interruptions from trainers, it’s easy to cruise right past one of the weirdest spots in the game. I’m talking about the Lost Hotel in Pokemon Y. It isn't just some flavor-text location; it’s a grungy, broken-down basement that houses some of the most specific mechanics in the entire Gen 6 era.
Honestly, the first time I found it, I thought I’d stumbled into a glitch. The screen darkens, the music shifts into that unsettling, industrial hum, and suddenly you’re surrounded by punks and broken tiles. It feels unfinished. But that’s the point. The Lost Hotel is a sanctuary for the "outcasts" of Kalos, and if you don't know the trick to navigating it, you’re basically just spinning your wheels in a basement full of trash cans.
Where is the Lost Hotel in Pokemon Y anyway?
Most people think there is only one way in. That's wrong. There are actually two distinct entrances to the Lost Hotel, and they lead to two different sections of the basement that aren't connected internally.
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The main entrance is on Route 15, also known as the Brun Way. You’ll find it nestled under a ruined wall. You need to look for a set of stairs leading down into the earth. If you're coming from Dendemille Town, head west. It’s tucked away, so keep your eyes peeled for the cracked stone.
The second entrance is the "secret" one. It’s located on Route 16 (Melancholy Path). To get there, you’re going to need a Pokémon that knows Strength. There’s a boulder puzzle blocking the path south of the main road. Once you push that rock into its hole, you can access a separate wing of the hotel. This is vital because if you only use the Route 15 entrance, you'll never reach the Boss.
The Boss and the Roller Skater Style
Kalos is obsessed with style. It’s annoying, right? You try to enter a boutique in Lumiose City and the NPC tells you that you aren't "cool" enough. Well, the Lost Hotel is the headquarters for that grind.
Deep inside the Route 16 side of the hotel, you’ll find the Boss. He’s a punk guy standing around like he owns the place. If you want him to teach you the ultimate roller skating trick—the 360—you have to prove your worth. This isn't about your Pokémon’s level. It’s about your literal "style" rank in Lumiose City and your mastery of other skating tricks.
You’ve gotta talk to the other skaters scattered around Kalos first. You need the Backflip from the guy in North Boulevard, the Spin, and the Drift Dash. If you show up to the Lost Hotel Boss without these, he’ll basically tell you to beat it. It’s a weirdly specific gatekeeping mechanic that Game Freak loved back in 2013.
Trash Cans: The Real Reason to Stay
Let’s talk about the trash. I know, it sounds thrilling.
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But seriously, the shaking trash cans in the Lost Hotel in Pokemon Y are the only way to get certain rare encounters. This is where you find Rotom. Specifically, on Tuesdays, the trash cans have a chance to shake and spit out a Rotom. If you’re trying to complete the National Dex or you just want a Wash-Rotom for your competitive team, this is your primary hunting ground.
It’s not just Rotom, though. You’ll run into Trubbish and Garbodor constantly. Occasionally, a Banette will jump out at you. The mechanic is simple: walk past a bin, wait for it to wiggle, and interact. If it doesn't wiggle, you have to leave the floor and come back in to reset the RNG. It’s tedious. It’s boring. But it’s the only way.
The items you find in these bins are actually decent too. You can snag:
- Metal Coats (essential for Scizor or Steelix)
- Protein
- Iron
- Various gems
The Mystery of the Move Tutors
There is a lot of misinformation online about what the NPCs in the Lost Hotel actually do. Some old forums claim there's a Move Tutor for legendary signature moves here. That's not exactly true.
There is a punk who will teach your Pokémon "Draco Meteor," but only if it’s a Dragon-type and its friendship is maxed out. While he’s an important NPC, he’s often confused with the move tutors in Snowbelle City. The atmosphere of the hotel makes people project all sorts of "secret" events onto it, but mostly, it’s a place for gritty items and niche training.
Why the Lost Hotel feels so "Off"
There’s a persistent fan theory that the Lost Hotel was meant to be much larger. When you look at the map of Kalos, the "Power Plant" and the "Lost Hotel" feel like locations that were stripped for DLC that never happened (the legendary "Pokémon Z").
The hotel has all these locked doors and debris-filled hallways that look like they should be accessible. Why is a high-end hotel buried underground? The NPCs hint at a disaster, but the game never fully explains it. It adds to the eerie vibe. It’s one of the few places in Pokémon Y that feels genuinely lived-in and slightly dangerous.
Survival Tips for the Basement
If you’re heading in, don't go unprepared. The wild Pokémon levels hover around 35 to 39, which isn't huge, but the Banette can be annoying with Will-O-Wisp.
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- Bring a Pokémon with Thief. The wild Garbodor and Magneton (found in the hotel) often hold items like Metal Coats or Nuggets.
- Check the calendar. If it isn't Tuesday, don't bother hunting for Rotom. You’ll just end up with a bag full of Garbodor lint.
- Max your style. Go to the Lumiose Press building, work some shifts, buy some expensive crepes, and then talk to the Boss. It’s the only way to clear the sub-quest.
- Use the D-Pad. Roller skating is fun until you need to navigate tight corners between broken floor tiles. Switch to the D-pad to walk normally so you don't accidentally zoom past a shaking trash can.
Strange Encounters and Hidden Loot
Hidden items are everywhere here. Use the Dowsing Machine (Itemfinder). You’ll find a Dread Plate hidden in the bottom right corner of the Route 15 side. This is huge for boosting Dark-type moves like Knock Off or Pursuit. There is also a Twisted Spoon tucked away, which is a nice 20% boost for Psychic types.
The trainers here use mostly Poison, Dark, and Electric types. A strong Ground-type like Mamoswine or Garchomp will absolutely steamroll through the entire hotel. Just watch out for the occasional Magneton with Sturdy; they can survive a hit and paralyze you, which makes the skating puzzles even more frustrating.
What to do right now
If you are currently parked outside the entrance on Route 15, here is your immediate checklist. First, check your console clock—if it’s Tuesday, go straight for the shaking trash cans to grab that Rotom. If it's any other day, focus on the items. Use your Itemfinder to sweep the floors for the Dread Plate and the Rare Candy. Once you've cleared the items, fly to Lumiose, boost your style by buying 50 individual Poké Balls one by one (yes, it works), and then return to the Route 16 entrance to talk to the Boss. This will unlock the final skating trick and officially "complete" the Lost Hotel area in your save file. Don't forget to bring a Pokémon with Strength, or you'll be staring at that boulder on Route 16 with nothing but regret.
Check the trash bins every time you enter a new room. The "wiggle" happens the moment the room loads. If they are still, walk out and walk back in. It’s the fastest way to farm the Metal Coats you’ll need for your competitive Scizor.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Verify it is Tuesday in your system settings to trigger Rotom spawns.
- Equip the Dowsing Machine immediately upon entering to find the hidden Dread Plate.
- Ensure you have Strength in your party before attempting the Route 16 entrance.
- Head to Lumiose City to spam-buy items if the Boss refuses to talk to you.