Citadines Shinjuku Tokyo

The playful yellow-and-blue facade of Citadines Shinjuku Tokyo pops against the neighboring glass buildings, while a row of well-trimmed shrubs adds curb appeal. Inside, the lobby, renovated after our visit, is bright, with floor-to-ceiling windows, purple and gray mid-century modern couches, and a marble-topped wooden front desk that stands out against the gray-tile floor. Behind the front desk is a black-and-white cityscape print with geometric swaths of color. Baskets of tea, coffee, and toiletries sit atop the desk, and umbrellas are available to borrow. It's a functional, simple, and modern space, much like the overall vibe of the hotel. The refurbished breakfast lounge, right off the lobby, has a cafe ambience with white tables, the same cityscape print, Eames and futuristic plastic chairs, and white pendant lighting. Guests here come from all categories, though the majority are families and couples on holiday.

Citadines Shinjuku Tokyo is located on a busy street within an 11-minute walk of the beautiful Shinjuku Gyoen Park, a favorite cherry-blossom viewing spot in the spring. The hotel is also near Shinjuku East, an area known for its entertainment. Both Tokyo’s largest red-light district, Kabukicho, as well as the Shinjuku Gai nightlife district offer plenty of restaurants and bars, and are within a 15-minute walk of the hotel. Shinjuku Metro station is a seven-minute walk from the hotel, providing access to other districts throughout the city; destinations like Harajuku and Shibuya can be reached in 30 minutes. Haneda Airport is a 35-minute drive from the hotel, and Narita International Airport is a 90-minute drive, though both can be reached by public transit as well (it's about an hour to Haneda and as fast as 90 minutes to Narita). 

The 260 rooms at the Citadines Shinjuku Tokyo are modern, clean, and especially large for the area -- the smallest units start at a surprisingly generous 25 square meters (269 square feet). Orange headboards and vibrant abstract wall art add a touch of color, while kitchens -- with black tile back splashes and sleek white cabinets -- up the contemporary vibe. The style is simple and sharp. Kitchens are equipped with microwaves, hot plates, mini-fridges, sinks, toasters, coffeemakers, dishes, and cookware. Sliding glass doors separate beds from living room areas, which have wall-mounted flat-screen TVs, DVD players, white desks, small dining tables, and orange couches. White-tile bathrooms have shower/tub combos, electric toilets with bidet options, and basic toiletries. Free Wi-Fi is available in all rooms.

There aren’t a lot of extras at Citadines Shinjuku Tokyo, aside from a small fitness center with a water dispenser, two treadmills, an elliptical machine, and a weight bench with free weights. A light breakfast is available for a fee, and the hotel has a single computer for guest use. Babysitting services, laundry services, and parking is available for a fee. Wi-Fi is free throughout.