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Tokyo has been on my bucket list for long, and I finally had the chance to explore it. I’ve always loved how it caters to all kinds of travelers, whether you’re into nature getaways or urban explorations. The parks and gardens are so beautifully landscaped that you’d want to spend all your time relaxing there. On the other hand, the vibrant nightlife will also keep you pumped up. There’s always something exciting going on in the city, including seasonal events that perfectly highlight the local culture. What I appreciate most is how Tokyo preserves its rich history while still offering stunning modern attractions. And if you’re an Anime or Manga fan, you’ve reached paradise!
I had a hard time picking where to stay in Tokyo, because, to be honest, all the wards are equally enticing. Location is usually the first thing to check when zeroing in on a hotel and it completely depends on your need. Do you want a secluded cabin, or do you want to stay right in the middle of the buzz? For me, it was the latter, and no other place can get buzzier than Shinjuku in Tokyo. With its neon lights, bustling bars, nightclubs, pachinko parlors, eateries, and shops, it’s always bursting with energy. Read on to know why I chose Citadines Hotel Shinjuku as my accommodation and whether I recommend this for you or not!
In this exclusive video with Ananya for Trip101 Travel Talk, I share my experience at Citadines Hotel Shinjuku, along with the rest of my Japan travel tales. Have a listen!
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Central location - in the heart of nightlife and public transport
This hotel is close to the train station, which was one of the main reasons we zeroed in on this property as we were commuting mostly by train and bus.
The core neighbourhood is Kabukicho and it gets a little tricky here. At night, Kabukicho transforms into an entertainment district, also known to some as the red-light district, with its host of adult establishments. Citadines is bang in the middle of this street. Don’t get me wrong—Kabukicho is a popular tourist spot, quite safe and definitely something to check out when in Shinjuku. However, you need to be careful of the scams and petty thefts that may happen if you’re not alert or aware of your surroundings. If you’re travelling with a group of friends or as a couple, this location works; but avoid it if you’re a solo traveller or travelling with family.
Having said that, the location did seal the deal for me, as the hotel is only eight minutes from the nearest railway station, R Shinjuku Station, on foot. Shinjuku Sanchome and Higashi Shinjuku metro stations are also close by, the former being only a five-minute walk away. We even walked down to Golden Gai one night, which is right next door! Plus, there’s a Lawson right below the hotel. For those who aren’t familiar, Lawson is a convenience store chain in Japan. It’s a go-to for daily necessities, ready-made meals, snacks, and more. So, it was a boon having one so easily accessible, and we made full use of it!
The back alley with its picture-perfect foliage totally impressed the Instagrammer in me!
Last but not least—one of the things I loved about the location was the back alley of the hotel. It was a beautiful lane bursting with the last of the fall colours. If we needed to avoid the main streets, we could take the back alley. It also served as a great photo op!
Modern rooms packed with useful amenities
Inside the standard Double Room - it was spacious, well-equipped, and comfortable.
The rooms in this hotel are ideal for those who like contemporary design and features. We had booked their standard Double Room, which was quite spacious by Japanese standards. This was also a reason why we chose this hotel, as were were staying for five days and needed some space to stay comfortably.
As for the amenities, I truly appreciated the work desk and Wi-Fi as they allowed me to get some work done whenever necessary. Other amenities were the LCD TV and slippers and pajamas - we did use the slippers but not the jammies. But one thing I appreciated was there were enough clothes hangers to hang all our heavy jackets after each excursion. You can also request an air purifier to make the space more comfortable. If you’re a tea lover like me, you’ll find the electric kettle handy. The cozy seating area by the window was a nice touch as well.
The bathroom was snug, but packed with necessary amenities.
I felt that the bathroom was a bit small, but it was manageable. The free toiletries, soft towels, and hair dryer actually made up for it. Strangely, my Dyson hair dryer failed to function in Japan (there is some power-related issue - so yes, tip for travelers - your Dyson hairdryer may not work in Japan), so I truly appreciated the hotel’s hair dryer.
There’s also the option to upgrade to a bigger room - you can go for the Premier or Club Twin Rooms. These offer private hot tubs! no, We didn’t as we wanted to stick to our budget but putting this out here just for your information.
Tokyo Tour Guide
Ayano
Hello! I am Ayano, a local host in Tokyo. I have been living in Tokyo for over 10 years, so I know a wide range of restaurants, bars, cafes, and tourist spots! Leave your Tokyo sightseeing to me. I have traveled to various countries and had unforgettable experiences. Being passionate about traveling, I really want to take you to the captivating places in Tokyo. As photography is my hobby, I wi... Read more
Tours by Ayano
Other highlights of the hotel
We had a seamless experience at the hotel right from check-in. The baggage storage and transfer services here will come in handy if you arrive a bit early like we did.
The front desk staff, available 24 hours, went out of their way to help us whenever we needed something. They even assisted us in finding our way to the nearest bus stops and shared some other helpful suggestions.
If you need help with access, you can rent the wheelchairs available on site. We noticed that rental computers and fax services are also provided for business travelers. As for food and refreshments, I love that they serve both Japanese and international dishes at the in-house restaurant, Cafe-Restaurant Stella. There’s even a chocolate fountain! They also offer a great buffet breakfast and free coffee and tea service at the front desk from 12 pm to 8 pm daily. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to sample the breakfast or even the free coffee (this one, mainly because we were already out before noon) and we preferred grabbing something from the Lawson downstairs and having them on-the-go.
The hotel also has their in-house massage service that looked really tempting, especially after our long days. But massage services in Japan are not exactly cheap, so we gave it a miss!
Do I recommend or do I not? (from USD 252)
I actually do recommend this hotel BUT for groups of adults or adventurous couples.
Because this property is located in the middle of the red-light district, I wouldn’t recommend this for families (with kids) or solo travelers.
Here’s a lowdown of why it worked for us:
It was centrally located property within walking distance of nightlife. We could easily walk to bars and food and convenience stores, which made the five days here quite hassle-free. The rooms were relatively spacious and had all the basic amenities that we needed, and, of course, its proximity to bus stops and Shinjuku train station.
But here are some safety tips to keep in mind:
- Always be aware of your surroundings to avoid petty theft.
- Avoid exploring the neighbourhood late at night, especially if you're a solo traveler. The early hours of the morning can also be avoided.
- Stay alert to be safe from scams. Some establishments may use promoters to lure visitors in and scam them.
- Avoid engaging in any kind of confrontation with the locals.
- Avoid getting overly intoxicated as that may decrease your alertness.
- Carry some cash with you for emergencies.
Hope you have a lovely stay if you get around to booking this hotel for a few nights in Tokyo!
Citadines Central Shinjuku Tokyo This is a Proud Certified property where you can be extra sure of a welcoming stay.
Address: Shinjuku-ku, Kabuki-Cho 1-2-9
History
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