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If Tokyo never sleeps then Shinjuku is the neon-coloured non-sleeper who always seems to be having a great time, despite the lack of rest. Shinjuku has the sky-scraping offices, the vast department stores and electronics shops, and restaurants and bars filled with salarymen - but in a fun, rather than seedy way, beautiful public parks, and the world’s largest transport hub, the Shinjuku Station on the all important Yamanote Line. Our Guru’s recommendations for the 3 best hotels in Shinjuku are drawn from a wide selection - but there are even more restaurants than hotels, and there are both luxurious and affordable choices for both.
Shinjuku is extremely convenient if you want to take a day trip out of Tokyo to Hakone or Mt. Fuji, but it’s also extremely convenient for many of Tokyo’s main sights - and you have direct access to the airports.
But as well as being very convenient for visitors to Tokyo, Shinjuku is also very Japanese and very busy being Japanese. As well as the thousands of restaurants, Shinjuku is also littered with 100yen shops, which are open until very late at night and can be a lot of fun.
If you’re travelling as a family then stay in West Shinjuku, away from the Kanukicho red light district.
The Hotel Chinzanso is an elegant, luxurious hotel set in its own beautifully manicured Japanese garden. There are 260 European-feeling rooms - think chintzy fabrics, European antiques and chandeliers - and the proportions are huge by Tokyo’s standards. Tranquil.
The Keio Plaza Hotel is a sleek, urban affair with 1400+ rooms. That extra zero isn’t a mistake. You’re in the heart of the skyscraper district and have access to some incredible facilities, including a rooftop pool, karaoke rooms and an incredible array of restaurants. The decor is minimalist.
Tokyo (Bunkyo-ku)
An elegant luxury property set in beautifully manicured Japanese gardens. Rooms have an air of European style with heavy antique furniture, chandeliers and chintz fabrics. The proportions are enormous (by Tokyo standards) and the views impressive. A tranquil haven within a bustling city.
Tokyo (Shinjuku-Ku)
Japan’s first skyscraper hotel by Tokyo’s busy Shinjuku station attracts guests wanting a taste of Japanese culture. Choose the Premier Grand rooms on the upper floors for top-notch luxury with stunning views. A spectacular array of restaurants and rooftop pool makes this a tough one to beat.
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