Shinjuku, officially called Shinjuku City, is a special ward of the city of Tokyo, the capital of Japan. This neighborhood was every bit the modern Tokyo we’d dreamt of — a futuristic city with busy train stations, gaudy pachinko parlors, noisy arcades, huge electronic stores, towering skyscrapers, and neon lights. What’s more, it has a fantastic mix of quiet parks, food districts, entertainment, and shopping. Since we were staying away from the central neighborhoods like Ginza, Otemachi, etc., we thought, why not splurge on luxury hotels in Shinjuku, Tokyo? After all, we needed some much-needed respite after soaking in the bustling atmosphere of the city, walking its streets, and seeing its sights. Hence, we decided to do it in style at a luxurious stay, and nobody does luxury quite like Tokyo. Think destination spas, slick and modern rooms and suites, and a whole lot of amenities.
Even though Shinjuku always had plenty going on, it was never overwhelmingly crowded. This, despite the fact that it’s the world’s busiest station, the administrative center of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, and a major administrative and commercial center! To that end, here’s a guide to the best luxurious stays in Shinjuku.
Meanwhile, you might want to start by reading some of the .
Table of contents
- JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom Shinjuku
- MIMARU Tokyo Shinjuku West
- Hyatt Regency Tokyo
- Hilton Tokyo
- Keio Plaza Hotel
- Odakyu Hotel Century Southern Tower
- Bellustar Tokyo, A Pan Pacific Hotel
- Gracery Shinjuku
- Onsen Ryokan Yuen Shinjuku
- Park Hyatt
- Kimpton Shinjuku Tokyo
- Our Verdict!
- Where to Stay in Shinjuku, Tokyo?
- Which area in Shinjuku is best to stay?
- Where do celebrities stay in Tokyo?
- What is Shinjuku famous for?
JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom Shinjuku
11
We begin the list with the JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom Shinjuku, which sits a stone’s throw from the epnonymous JR Shinjuku Station. So, most of the most popular areas of Tokyo were within a 20-minute train ride.
We had the choice of many rooms and suites at this hotel, all of which were decked out sophisticatedly. What’s more, they featured decor inspired by traditional Japanese materials and motifs. The mod-cons certainly made our stay comfortable, which included not only a flatscreen TV, but also an air purifier/humidifier, a fridge, and a coffeemaker. Aside from the free Wi-Fi, the room also had a swish bathroom with complimentary bath products. Since we wanted to splurge, we got a higher up room, where our bathroom had a huge bathtub for two people right by the window.
The hotel also has a ton of amenities. Besides a 24-hour front desk, the hotel also has free luggage storage and a coin launderette. Drink vending machines kept us hydrated, while massages that could be arranged for a fee were certainly welcome. Finally, the onsite Umaya restaurant offered a variety of Japanese fare.
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MIMARU Tokyo Shinjuku West
10
MIMARU Tokyo Shinjuku West sits in the heart of Shinjuku, which made it the perfect base for us to explore the neighborhood. Even then, the city center of Ginza and Chuo City wasn’t very far, and the train station was a stone’s throw away as well. Choose from a host of modern rooms and suites, all of which came with microwaves, fridges, kettles, flat-screen TVs, and swanky private bathrooms. However, what we most loved about even the basic of rooms is that they all provided a stovetop. So, we could actually whip up light meals whenever we wanted rather than stepping out for a bite. Since there are kitchenette setups, the hotel doesn’t have a restaurant. However, since it sits right in the heart of Shinjuku, we had no shortage of options when it came to stepping out for a meal, no matter the time of the day.
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Hyatt Regency Tokyo
9
The location of Hyatt Regency Tokyo was incredible; it was an easy 20-minute walk to the gardens, restaurants, and bars around, especially in Golden Gai. Plus, the utterly verdant Shinjuku Central Park was right next door. We were impressed right off the bat when we entered the hotel, with the massive lobby and three enormous chandeliers.
That wonderment continued when we entered our rooms. They might have been on the smaller side as compared to other cities, but for Tokyo and the neighborhood we were in, they were very spacious. Cloud-like beds aside, the rooms were the epitome of modernity, as we could control all of the room’s lights right from the nightstand. Blackout window shades, universal charging ports, luxurious bathrooms, and huge windows with great city views completed our digs.
With five restaurants on the property, we never had to worry about finding food any time of the day or night. Free Wi-Fi access throughout aside, the hotel also operated limo airport buses, was home to a Joule Spa and Wellness center, a fitness center, and provided laundry and concierge services.
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Hilton Tokyo
8
Most luxurious chain hotel. Hilton Tokyo was an easy walk from Shinjuku’s frenzied center, which is what made staying in this luxurious chain hotel outpost perfect for our exploration of this part of the city. We especially loved the rooms, which had the comfort of a Hilton property and little Japanese touches for local flair. What’s more, they all boasted large windows overlooking skyscrapers, closed off with traditional shoji screens. Minibars, teapots, plush beds, and modern bathrooms with Toto bath products certainly made us feel relaxed when we entered after a long day.
We loved the main feature of the lobby, which is the glossy, mood-lit Marble Lounge, with comfy love seats, and they even serve a decent breakfast buffet. Besides two other restaurants, the standout is the fitness center and pool high up in the sky. The best bit? The row of skylights floods the space with tons of natural light, allowing us to start and end our day with a splash.
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Keio Plaza Hotel
7
No hotel is more classically Japanese than the Keio Plaza Hotel, which is the largest and flagship hotel of the Keio chain of hotels in the country. Interestingly, the hotel was featured in not 1 but 2 Godzilla movies, namely 1984’s “The Return of Godzilla” and 1991’s Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah, where it was even partially destroyed (onscreen, of course). What’s more, the nearly 1,500-room-hotel was not only Nishi-Shinjuku’s first skyscraper, but also the very first high-rise hotel in all of Japan!
The hotel sits across two towers, making it one of the largest hotels we’ve ever stayed in. Moreover, its gamut of amenities is equally expansive, with a host of shops, 15 different restaurants, and even its own Japanese tea house, where we experienced a traditional tea ceremony. Our favorite place, though, was the sensational Sky Pool on the seventh floor of the Main Building, which actually comprises two pools. While one’s a circular one for lounging and the other one is rectangular for laps, they both boasted sweeping views of Shinjuku.
We had the choice of two sets of rooms, the Plaza Premier rooms in the Main Tower and the Plaza Luxe Rooms in the South Tower. The Premier rooms made us feel like we were staying in a much smaller boutique hotel, complete with their own check-in private lounge area. The same space also served breakfast, complimentary aperitifs, and afternoon tea. However, all rooms were outfitted with maxi-bath products, plush beds and other mod-cons, and useful complimentary smartphones which we could use to make free calls, thus avoiding roaming charges. Are you a Hello Kitty fan? One particular room is a phenomenal tribute to Japan’s most famous cat.
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Odakyu Hotel Century Southern Tower
6
Towering over Shinjuku, the Odakyu Hotel Century Southern Tower‘s best amenity is: its stellar 360-degree views. All rooms and suites huge windows, and our corner room was especially spectacular: we had not one but two huge walls of windows. What’s more, all rooms, including ours of course, featured free bath products and bathtubs in the chic bathrooms, cloud-like crisp beds, electric kettles, fridges (empty, though), flatscreen TVs, and seating areas right next to the massive windows.
The vibe of the hotel was understated simplicity, which was evident right from the 20th floor lobby, with its square planters and long-plank wooden floors. The fusion Tribecks restaurant served delicious local and international fare, which we could nosh on while gazing out of the floor-to-ceiling windows.
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Bellustar Tokyo, A Pan Pacific Hotel
5
The Bellustar Tokyo, A Pan Pacific Hotel, provided some of the most spectacular and jaw-dropping bird’s eye views in Shinjuku. Perched on floors 39-47 of the Tokyo Kabukicho Tower, the hotel’s rooms and suites have some of the most spectacular bedroom windows we’ve ever seen; they’re seven meters wide, floor-to-ceiling window walls! So, we were treated to some mind-blowing views of Shinjuku and its neon craziness, and it was one of the highlights of our Japan trip. Even the rest of the decor is slightly seductive, with crisp white beds, coffee machines, fridges, flatscreen TVs, and sleek bathrooms.
The rest of the hotel is impressive too, with highlights including three restaurants, one of which is three stories high. What’s more, the spa Sunya is indulgent to boot, celebrating Japan’s terroir and four seasons. A limo service, American breakfasts, and free Wi-Fi wrap up the amenities here.
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Gracery Shinjuku
4
Since this is Japan, even staying in the middle of the neon-flashing Kabukicho was as convenient as it was amazing — and safe. Welcome to Gracery Shinjuku, a contemporary 30-storey tower hotel surrounded by the neighborhood’s famous skyscrapers and neon lights. Oh, and also, where else in Tokyo would you find a giant Godzilla hanging out of the hotel’s eighth-floor terrace? It works, because the hotel is a Godzilla-themed one, paying tribute to the movie monster created by the Japanese entertainment company Toho.
As we stepped into the airy, modern, and large eighth-floor lobby, we were thrilled to see both human-run check-in counters as well as electronic machines. The minimal urban design, with a small library and wooden walls, makes it feel intimate despite not being so. Kids (who aren’t terrified) and adult fans of the movie monster (like us) will absolutely be thrilled by the 12-m-tall Godzilla replica that roars and billows smoke loudly every hour between noon and 8 pm! A 24-hour laundromat and a gift store aside, the hotel also has a ground-floor restaurant. Our favorite, though, was the eighth-floor lobby cafe overlooking Godzilla itself, which also sold Godzilla cakes later in the day!
Rooms and suites were modern and minimalistic, with the cinematic scene-stealers being the long, narrow windows cut across single white walls, framing spectacular urban views. Of them, six “special” single rooms have views of Godzilla’s head, so watch out for those rooms being sold out first. Did we mention that the 14th floor was a women’s only floor? Yep.
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Onsen Ryokan Yuen Shinjuku
3
Best luxury ryokan. We wanted to stay in a traditional onsen in the middle of Tokyo, which is why we chose the Onsen Ryokan Yuen Shinjuku. This serene hotel was a modern-minimalistic spin on traditional Japanese ryokans, which is what made staying here so comfortable. What’s more, it boasted a fantastic location in the heart of the buzzing, neon-lit Shinjuku. If all that wasn’t enough, this ryokan-hotel is also extremely gay-friendly, making it one of the . Plus, it’s also one of the best 4 star hotels in Shinjuku, Tokyo.
When we stepped into the gorgeous lantern-lit stone walkway fringed with bamboo plants, we immediately felt calm and Zen set in on us. A stunning lobby with white washi paper screens and comfy raised seating and excellent service reflecting the famous Japanese hospitality maxim, “omotenashi” impressed us to no end. In terms of amenities, the ground-floor restaurant served lip-smacking local fare as main meals and breakfasts both. The coolest bit, though, was the sleek, rooftop, gender-separated onsen where we could relax under the stars.
“Staying in modern-cum-traditional Japanese luxury in the middle of one of Tokyo’s craziest entertainment districts? Now that’s what we call luxury!”
WOW Travel
Despite being a ryokan, the hotel was quite large, with 193 rooms that were a mix of traditional and contemporary. Nevertheless, they all had low-lying futon beds, tatami-mat floors, dark ceilings, and large windows. We especially loved the Japanese touch of including tiered wooden “jubako” boxes, which contained amenities like split-toe tabi socks, sandals, and cotton yukata gowns.
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Park Hyatt
2
Most luxurious overall. If you’ve seen Sofia Coppola’s cult classic “Lost in Translation,” you’ll recognize Park Hyatt Tokyo. Every inch of this hotel is spectacular and buzzing, even after 20 years of the film releasing. Perched on the 39th-52nd floors of a glassy Shinjuku skyscraper, the elegant oasis featured some of the most jaw-dropping 360-degree views, including those of Mount Fujiyama, one of the .
Staying here was nothing short of an OTT experience. Spacious rooms and suites with sleek bathrooms smelling of rosemary and bergamot mint, complete with Aesop bath products, left us in aromatic heaven. We especially loved the fluffy bathrobes, deep bathtubs, and the wet bar, easily making this one of and one of the best 5 star hotels in Shinjuku, Tokyo.
The amenities here were sublime, especially the dining kind. While there are four restaurants on the property, the highlight is the 52nd-floor New York Bar and Grill, with amazing views, modern artwork, and live jazz. When we wanted to unwind, the massive Club on the Park, with a 45th floor spa and 47th floor swimming pool, is the best place for R&R in Tokyo.
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Kimpton Shinjuku Tokyo
1
Best boutique luxury. We like our luxury laced with an edgy vibe, which is why we loved the Tokyo-meets-Manhattan feel of the Kimpton Shinjuku Tokyo. We loved that the interiors reflected the kinetic energy of Shinjuku station while drawing on the eclectic art scene and fashion of NYC for inspiration. That’s why we saw eye-catching artwork throughout the hotel, with even rooms and suites featuring a minimalist style accented with playful color pops. While they’re on the smaller side, the blonde wood accents and huge windows help create the feeling of more space. Plus, the digs were so immaculate that we felt like we were the first person stay in them, when we obviously weren’t.
Just like other Kimptons, this outpost also encouraged social connections, and we loved the nightly social hour that allowed us to mingle over complimentary nibbles and drinks. When we felt like exploring on our won, we’d either hit the gym or grab one of the cycles and explore the parks around. Besides being incredibly pet-friendly, the hotel has two restaurants and a mind-blowing, delectable multi-course breakfast adventure. Sigh.
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Our Verdict!
While we like all of Shinjuku’s luxurious stays, here’s a whittled down list to help you decide where to actually stay.
- Most luxurious chain hotel: Hilton Tokyo
- Best luxury ryokan: Onsen Ryokan Yuen Shinjuku
- Most luxurious overall: Park Hyatt
- Best boutique luxury: Kimpton Shinjuku Tokyo
Where to Stay in Shinjuku, Tokyo?
Shinjuku is that part of Tokyo that never sleeps, so you’ll either love it or hate it. We, for one, loved it to bits, as it had everything we loved and were interested about Japan in the first place. Think mesmerizing billboard lights and signs with flashy Japanese characters, a wonderful culture, and the sounds of J Pop music blaring around every corner.
You need to decide where to stay in Shinjuku. For instance, the area that’s west of Shinjuku station is the business area. To the northeast is the Kabukicho red light district, a non-seedy neighborhood one of the . To the east is the suburb’s nightlife and shopping center and the Golden Gai neighborhood for entertainment and nightlife. Basically, staying anywhere that’s within a 15-minute walk of Shinjuku train station is a great idea.
Which area in Shinjuku is best to stay?
While Shinjuku is a great neighborhood overall, anywhere around the Shinjuku station or Kabukicho district is great.
Where do celebrities stay in Tokyo?
Celebrities usually stay at Chuo City and Ginza hotels like Aman or the Ritz-Carlton. However, Shinjuku is better placed for tourists as it connects to not just other parts of Tokyo, but also the cities around.
What is Shinjuku famous for?
One word: Kabukicho, the entertainment distirct. Yes, it’s also a red light neighborhood, but it’s not only extremely safe, but it also has loads of pubs, restaurants, and cafes worth visiting.