APA Hotel Higashi-Shinjuku-Kabukicho

This hotel had the smallest room I have ever been in, almost claustrophobic. And I never cared about room size in the past but you might not have room to keep your luggage in the room. Probably this is all part of the Japanese experience. Beware that this is a big hotel chain in Japan, and there are two other hotels of the same chain a few minutes away with a very similar name that is easy to get confused.

I am always struck by how incredibly busy Tokyo is, but nothing in Tokyo could have prepared me for check-in! A 50 minute queue just to get to an automated machine to check you in. After a long flight, standing in small, hot room packed with tourists felt an awful way to start a holiday. Almost like an awful ferry service in a developing country. Got to the room and realised there is no space to lay your suitcase down (the hotel says to put it under your bed…… which is ridiculous). There is no view from the room either. I know space is a premium in Japan and Tokyo, but you can spend half this much and get the same quality elsewhere, so save yourself the trouble. Oh, they don’t clean your room either, every three days for “eco” reasons. Only plus point were the staff, who were really helpful and friendly

The room is the smallest I've ever been in. Pillows are hard bed is small for 2 people. Reluctant to give us a bigger room. Finally did for our last night but charged around 12000yen so became quite expensive. Check room size before booking this one.

Beware of house keeping, they will steal your valuables. After checking out of our room on 24/6/24 an iPad was left in the room. Unfortunately we were boarding a flight and could not call the hotel. We activated lost mode at 11:00 and we received an email that the iPad was still in the hotel. The iPad now has a lost message displayed on the screen instructing the finder to contact me. A few hours later (~13:00), the iPad was removed from the hotel by housekeeping and moved to another location (20-7, Fujimicho, Itabashi, Tokyo, Japan 174-0062) APA hotel front desk is unwilling to help. They claim nothing was found. They are not able to speak with house keeping to resolve the matter. After researching, other people have reported APA hotel chain housekeeping to notoriously remove valuables from their rooms. The rooms are cheap, but they are extremely small and are not kept well. This APA does not have the same amenities as other APA like onsen and laundry. The location is very confusing to find. Do not stay here!

When you come in to register u are greeted with a black box. The staff person points you into using the machine. Once you register two card keys spit out Not sure why they bother having staff people manning the black boxes because they are not useful. The staff don’t even show you where to go. I had to go ask a tourist of where I need to go to find my room The rooms are in a separate building Rooms are approx 200 sq ft boxes. Maybe ok for one person but with two people you are banging into each other. Well maintained and clean Location is ok. I didn’t venture out late at night. It’s located in the red light district