Why book?
Great prices and the convenient location next to Shinjuku Station make this a top contender for budget travelers’ first Tokyo foray.
Set the scene
At the fresh-faced Hotel Groove, rooms come with colorful carpets and wooden panelling to elevate the offering beyond paint-by-numbers accommodation. A great pick for those who aim to spend minimal time in their rooms, exploring the city instead, but want a comfortable—if predictable—digs for a good sleep at the end of a busy day.
The backstory
Esteemed Asian hospitality chain Pan Pacific launched two hotels—one lofted on top of the other—in a glittering tower high above the evolving Kabuki-cho red-light district near Shinjuku station. The Groove is the more fiscally approachable property (the other is the high-end Bellustar Tokyo located on the upper floors where guests can take in the sweeping skyline from the large windows.
The rooms
A boon to special-needs or older travelers who need extra space to move around, Hotel Groove’s sleeping quarters—beyond the entry-level Superior Rooms—are reasonably large compared to other properties in this price range. Floor-to-ceiling windows create an even greater sense of grandeur, and decor is functional but with a few pops of texture and color to distance the vibe from cookie-cutter hotel blocks. At the higher end are suites designed by noted Japanese artists, not to mention some traditional-style accommodation (tatami and futons), too.
The neighborhood/area
Kabuki-cho has long been the choice destination for Tokyo’s sketchier night scene, but the shimmering tower in which the Hotel Groove inhabits is the area’s first essay at appealing to a more mainstream crowd. While the surrounding blocks have limited appeal, you’re only a stones throw from the fun micro-bars of Golden Gai, the LGBT scene of Shinjuku Ni-chome, and the street eats along Omoide Yokocho.
The service
Although popular with large groups, the hotel’s lobby has a rather small footprint, which can make check-in a bit crowded.
Anything left to mention?
Coin laundry is a surprise perk for long-staying travelers in Japan. Direct airport limousine (read: coach) buses are handy, and a rarity for newer properties in Tokyo.
1-29-1, Kabukicho Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0021
Japan
https://www.panpacific.com/en/hotels-and-resorts/bellustar-tokyo.html
+81 3-6233-8888