APA HOTEL SHINJUKU GYOEMMAE, Tokyo

The hotel sits at the quiet southern edge of Shinjuku, directly behind the large Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. Shinjuku-Gyoenmae Station (Marunouchi Line) is practically at the doorstep, offering direct subway access to Shinjuku, Tokyo, and Ginza. JR Shinjuku Station is an 11-minute walk, providing Shinkansen and Yamanote Line connections. The Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal is about 10 minutes on foot, with limousine buses to Narita Airport (3100 yen, 85-115 minutes) and Haneda Airport (1200 yen, 35-60 minutes). Haneda Airport is also accessible by train via Hamamatsucho and Tokyo stations (850 yen, ~65 minutes). The area is well served by convenience stores 7-Eleven, FamilyMart within a short walk and numerous restaurants. The neighbourhood is lively at night but the hotel itself is on a quieter street.

Rooms are air-conditioned and carpeted, each equipped with an original mattress optimising weight distribution, a flat-screen TV with video-on-demand, a refrigerator, electric kettle, hairdryer, free toiletries, and an air-purifier/humidifier. The private bathroom includes a bathtub. Rooms are extremely compact: single and double rooms measure around 11m2 including the bathroom, with very limited floor space - opening a large suitcase may block access. Twin rooms are larger, allowing two people to move more comfortably and are the recommended choice for couples or anyone who needs to store luggage. Some rooms lack a window or face directly onto a wall, with no daylight. Soundproofing is limited in certain areas, so rooms facing the street may carry noise from traffic and sirens. Room cleaning takes place every three days unless requested; fresh towels are left at the door daily. An additional bag of amenities (toothbrush, razor, comb) is provided.

The on-site restaurant ごまいち is open for breakfast daily from 7:00 to 9:30 AM, offering a buffet with Japanese and European options. The buffet includes both warm and cold dishes, though the selection is limited for those who prefer only sweet pastries and fresh fruit. The restaurant is located on the ground floor. For other meals, the surrounding area is dense with casual dining options including ramen, sushi, and gyōza within a 5-minute walk. Several convenience stores nearby stock snacks and drinks around the clock.

The wellness area is located on the basement floor and includes a Japanese-style public bath (onsen) with water fed directly from the source, a gender-separated indoor bath, an open-air bath, and a hot tub. The facilities are open from 3:00 PM to midnight and again from 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM. Tattoos are not permitted in the public bath; covers can be obtained from the front desk. Paid massages can be arranged through the 24-hour front desk. The comforters and pillows in the room are designed for sleeping, making the onsen a welcome evening recovery option rather than a social facility.

Free luggage storage is offered both before check-in and after check-out. The 24-hour front desk can arrange massages, provide currency exchange, and handle express check-in/check-out. A coin-operated laundry room with several washing machines and dryers is located on the basement level. Vending machines and a communal microwave are also available on site. Private parking is available for 3000 JPY per day but cannot be reserved. The hotel has a lift, non-smoking rooms throughout, soundproofing in some areas, and facilities for disabled guests (lower bathroom sink, raised toilet, grab rails, braille signage, wheelchair access in common areas), but there are no wheelchair-accessible rooms. Business services include fax/photocopying for an additional charge. Cleaning services such as dry cleaning, laundry, and trouser press are available for a fee.