In
the heart of the vibrant Kabuki-cho area in Shinjuku
Stylish
decor throughout with a fresh contemporary vibe
Designer
rooms with luxury bathrooms, some with scenic
city views
Amenities
include iPod docks, espresso machines, mini-fridges, and
flat-screen TVs
Higher-category rooms include kitchenettes, terraces, and outdoor showers
On-site
restaurant serves French and Italian cuisine, with room service
Guests
in Executive Rooms and Suites have access to Club Lounge
Cafe,
art gallery, and rooftop bar with scenic city views
Free
Wi-Fi throughout the hotel
Standard
Rooms are small
Breakfast
is not included in the room rate
No
in-room minibars
No
on-site pool, spa, or fitness center
Fee for parking, which must be reserved in advance
Shinjuku
Granbell Hotel is a large, multi-story upscale property with 380 rooms
and suites, situated in the middle of the vibrant nightlife district
of Shinjuku. Open since 2013, the vibe here is contemporary and hip,
with designer interiors, vibrant decorative murals and artwork,
and a trendy rooftop bar. Rooms feature luxurious bathrooms, and
come with espresso machines, iPod docks,
kitchenettes, and outdoor showers, but lower-priced rooms can be cramped. On-site features include a restaurant, cafe,
bar, art gallery, and free Wi-Fi throughout, but there's no pool,
spa, or fitness center. For an upscale property with all three that's in the same neighborhood, travelers could consider the RIHGA Royal Hotel Tokyo.
Scene
Hip, fashionable hotel with an artsy vibe drawing a young crowd
The
box-like multi-story building housing the Shinjuku Granbell Hotel has an unremarkable exterior, but its interiors reveal a
few surprises. The large floor-to-ceiling windows let in lots of
natural light, and the high lobby ceilings create an
impression of spaciousness. The dark-gray tiled floors and black
reception counters contrast with the warm tones of the wood paneling
of the upper walls. Colorful murals, and chic fashion prints on the
walls provide vibrant accents, and the large navy-blue
contemporary-style sofa and cozy high-backed armchairs add to the hip
vibe. The trendy bar onthe 13th floor draws many locals, as do the free DJ
nights hosted at the cafe on the second floor. The hotel draws a young crowd, especially couples and friends traveling together.
Location
Located in the vibrant nightlife district of Shinjuku
Shinjuku
is the heart of Tokyo's nightlife, and the Kabukicho entertainment
district with its many adult bars and clubs, is within a few minutes' walk. This area is also known for its many “love hotels," and there are several supermarkets, convenience stores, and
restaurants in the immediate vicinity. Transportation
links are excellent: Higashi-shinjuku subway station is about a five-minute walk away, and Shinjuku train station is a 10-minute walk Many of the city's attractions can be easily reached by
subway or train.- Six-minutewalk to Kabukicho entertainment district
Rooms
Stylish designer rooms and suites with high-end amenities
All of the 380 rooms and suites at Shinjuku Granbell Hotel show the influence of a different designer, but they all have the same
contemporary vibe. The decor is minimalist and devoid of bright
colors, with navy blue and black dominating. But the rooms are
bright, and the vibrant mahogany wood floors add warmth and contrast well with the stylish mahogany furniture trimmed with
black. Large flat-screen TVs are embedded in the walls, and
all rooms come with electric kettles, mini-fridges (but no minibar snacks), iPod docks with speakers, and free Wi-Fi. The luxurious bathrooms are separated from the bedrooms by glass walls and are filled with light from the large windows. They include soaking bathtubs, separate shower stalls, rectangular vessel sinks, large mirrors, and electronically controlled toilets. Some rooms have Japanese-style bathrooms with separate wet-room-style spaces with both showers and full-size bathtubs enclosed in the same space.More expensive rooms, such as the Luxury Designer Double with Kitchen and the Suites are equipped with kitchenettes that include stove tops, microwave ovens, sinks and even washing machines. Many rooms have scenic city views, and a few have unexpected extras, like an open-air shower enclosed in an inner courtyard, sleeping lofts, and added luxuries like Francis Francis coffee machines, and stereo systems. Lower-priced rooms can be cramped, while the much roomier suites include spacious living areas, and contemporary-style sofas and lamps. Triple rooms have lofts and are suitable for families (but have a maximum of three guests). Suites can accommodate up to two guests.
Features
Breakfast buffet, on-site restaurant, cafe, rooftop bar
Some features usually expected of a four-pearl property are
absent at Shinjuku Granbell Hotel, such as an on-site pool, spa, or
fitness center. Breakfast, a buffet of Japanese and Western dishes, is not included in the room rate. G,
the on-site restaurant, serves French and Italian fare,
while the Live Cafe G serves beverages throughout the day, and is the
venue of the weekly DJ nights. The rooftop bar, 13F, is a
trendy local nightspot and offers scenic views of the Tokyo skyline.
The hotel also has an art gallery featuring exhibitions of
contemporary art. Guests staying in Executive Rooms or Suites have
access to the exclusive Club Lounge, where free drinks and snacks are
available, along with evening cocktails. Other handy services
include a coin-operated laundry, and in-room massages which can be arranged
for an extra fee. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout
the hotel.