Shinjuku Prince Hotel

This hotel offers an exceptionally convenient urban base, primarily distinguished by its prime location directly adjacent to Shinjuku East Gate and the vibrant Kabukicho district, with direct access to the Seibu Shinjuku train line. This makes it an ideal choice for sightseers eager to explore the city's attractions, business travelers needing efficient transport links, and couples or solo travelers looking to immerse themselves in the lively entertainment and dining scene. Guests consistently highlight the hotel's attentive staff, overall cleanliness, and the impressive city views available from higher floors. While room sizes can vary, the hotel is well-regarded for its comfortable accommodations. To enhance your stay, consider requesting a room on a higher floor for better views and be prepared for the typical compact room sizes found in Tokyo. Utilizing the hotel's direct connections to the underground shopping and transit network can also simplify navigation, especially with luggage.

Facilities & Amenities
Guests generally appreciate the hotel's practical facilities, which include a welcoming lobby area and convenient on-site options such as a restaurant and a bar. The hotel also provides useful amenities like weighing facilities for luggage, ensuring a smoother travel experience. While free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property, ensuring guests remain connected, some reviewers noted the absence of certain expected facilities. Specifically, many guests expressed disappointment that there is no gym or fitness center on the premises, which is a common amenity in hotels of this caliber. Additionally, the lack of a public microwave for heating snacks and the absence of a self-service laundry machine were frequently mentioned as inconveniences, particularly for longer stays. The hotel does feature multiple elevators for efficient access to rooms and an air filter in rooms, though some found the air quality still problematic.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Most guests commend the hotel for its cleanliness, noting that rooms are well-maintained and serviced daily. The beds receive mixed feedback, with some finding them comfortable and ensuring a restful sleep, while many others describe them as firm or even hard, with pillows also being notably stiff, leading some to purchase their own. Room sizes are a recurring theme; while some found their rooms spacious enough for luggage, many guests consistently describe them as small or tight, a common characteristic for Tokyo hotels. Views from higher floors are frequently praised, offering impressive city vistas. However, some rooms are reported to have no windows, and others experienced issues with soundproofing, hearing conversations from adjacent rooms or street noise. A significant number of reviews also mentioned unpleasant odors in bathrooms or rooms, ranging from sewer-like smells to cigarette smoke, despite non-smoking policies. Some bathrooms are described as dated with an inconvenient step into the bathroom.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel offers a breakfast buffet that garners varied feedback from guests. Many appreciate the wide variety of choices available, including both Western and Japanese options, describing it as plentiful and delicious. However, some guests found the buffet to be merely "okay" or nothing to rave about, with limited options that could become repetitive over several days. The restaurant area for breakfast can become quite crowded, especially during peak hours, leading to long lines and a less relaxed dining experience. While the hotel features a restaurant and bar for other meals, fewer reviews specifically detail their lunch or dinner offerings, suggesting breakfast is the primary dining experience for most guests. Some guests felt the breakfast was expensive for the quality or variety offered, while others found it satisfactory given the convenience.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's central location in Shinjuku is consistently highlighted as its strongest asset. It is exceptionally close to the Shinjuku East Gate and directly on the doorstep of Kabukicho, providing immediate access to a plethora of restaurants, bars, and shopping opportunities. Guests find it incredibly convenient for exploring the city, with easy access to various train stations and metro lines, including the Seibu Shinjuku line directly connected to the hotel. While the main Shinjuku Station is a short walk away, some guests noted it could be confusing to navigate, especially with luggage, due to its size and the busy surrounding streets. Popular landmarks like the Godzilla head and the 3D cat are within easy walking distance. The hotel's direct underground connections to shopping areas and the station are particularly appreciated for avoiding crowds and inclement weather. Parking is available, though details on cost are not consistently provided.

Staff & Service
The hotel's staff consistently receives high praise for their friendliness, helpfulness, and professionalism. Many guests commend their ability to speak English fluently, which greatly assists international travelers. The check-in and check-out processes are frequently described as fast and efficient, contributing to a smooth arrival and departure experience. Guests appreciate the attentive service provided by the housekeeping team, ensuring rooms are clean and well-maintained, with prompt responses to requests for amenities. The staff's willingness to assist with luggage forwarding and early check-ins is also noted. While the vast majority of feedback on service is positive, a few isolated incidents mentioned less friendly or rude staff, though these appear to be exceptions. Overall, the dedication of the staff to providing excellent service is a recurring theme, enhancing the guest experience significantly.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware of a city tax that is charged upon check-in, which some found unexpected as it was not always included in initial booking prices. For those enrolled in the hotel's rewards program, benefits such as a complimentary late check-out are highly valued, offering added flexibility. A notable point for some rooms is the absence of windows, which can impact the natural light and overall feel of the space. While the hotel provides a range of amenities, some guests noted the lack of room service for food and beverages, requiring them to seek dining options outside their room or utilize on-site restaurants. Additionally, some specific hotel policies, such as limitations on restaurant booking services for certain room rates, were mentioned as inconvenient by a few guests.