Hotel Rose Garden Shinjuku

Hotel Rose Garden Shinjuku is a simple hotel that caters to both business travelers and tourists. If you can find a room for under ¥12,000, then you’re getting a good deal.

What’s Hotel Rose Garden Shinjuku like?

The bland exterior of the main building clashes with the entrance lobby, which feels like you’ve stepped into an upmarket establishment. There are 140 rooms in two buildings, and the hotel has recently been renovated.

What facilities does the hotel have?

Facilities at Hotel Rose Garden Shinjuku include a lobby, meeting rooms, banquet halls, laundry and massage services, vending machines, and an annex restaurant called In the Garden 135, which is popular with local workers in the evening for its outdoor terrace.

Is there anywhere to hang out in the hotel?

The only place to chill is either the lobby, the restaurant (if you buy something), or in your room.

It’s worth taking advantage of the plush seats in the lobby, where you can sit and wait for check-in while sipping on complimentary rosehip water. There’s also a small outdoor space, but this is generally used as a smoking area.

What are the rooms like?

The hotel recently underwent renovations, so most of the rooms have had a new lick of paint, but there are traces of the past left behind. You’ll still find an old-fashioned in-room phone, slightly unloved curtains, and a dusty wall-mounted shampoo and conditioner dispenser.

However, these are just small elements that can be overlooked. The things that matter most — high-tech toilet, television, and fluffy bed — are up to scratch. You’ll also find electronic outlets and a reading light by the bed.

How big are the rooms?

Most of the single, double, and twin rooms are typical Tokyo hotel sizes, between 14 to 16 square meters, but you can go bigger. The Superior Twin is a spacious 31 square meters, and there are other rooms at 23 square meters.

Are the rooms comfortable?

Our room hit the comfort spot, including a cozy bed, pajamas, fridge, kettle, and chair. But you may hear some street noise if you are on a lower floor and facing the busy Shinjuku streets. We suggest opting for a room deeper in the hotel (even if you sacrifice a view) or try and get one on the sixth floor or higher.

The air conditioner can also be noisy, and you may notice the lumpiness of the floor.

What’s the view like?

In our corner room on the 6th floor, it wasn’t much, but rooms higher up do give pleasant views of the Shinjuku skyline.

Should I order the breakfast?

We thought the breakfast was great value for money compared with Tokyo’s other hotels. We paid ¥1,600, which got us not only a wide continental selection (toast, croissants, fruit, and cereal) but also fresh eggs, sausages, salad, yogurt, bacon, rice, pickles, and fish.

The breakfast is set up in the hotel’s restaurant In the Garden 135.

What’s the location like?

Hotel Rose Garden’s biggest draw is its location close to Shinjuku’s major train stations, which gives you great access to the rest of Tokyo.

How is the access to trains and subway?

The hotel is a 1-minute walk from Nishi-Shinjuku Station (on the Marunouchi Line) and a 12-minute walk from Shinjuku Station, which, as one of the busiest stations in Tokyo, has several train lines.

How do I get there from Tokyo’s airports?

To get to Hotel Rose Garden Shinjuku from Narita Airport, the simplest way is to take the Narita Express to Shinjuku Station and either walk or jump on the Marunouchi Line one stop to Nishi-Shinjuku (around 1 hour 40 minutes total).

To get to Hotel Rose Garden from Haneda Airport, take the Keikyū Line bound for Aoto and get off at Higashi-Ginza Station. Then walk to Ginza Station (5 minutes through the underpass) and jump on the Marunouchi Line to Nishi-Shinjuku Station.

What’s the surrounding neighborhood like?

West Shinjuku is one of Tokyo’s many business districts. That means the area is filled with busy suit-wearing office workers during the day and slightly dead in the evenings and on weekends. But you can always walk into central Shinjuku if you are missing the buzz.

Are there many good places to eat nearby?

Shinjuku is a haven for food lovers and West Shinjuku is no different. If you don’t want to spend your time at the hotel’s restaurant, then Grilled Meat Bal Taiju is highly recommended, as well as the okonomiyaki (Japanese savory pancake) restaurant Buchiumaya.

If you want to save your pennies, there’s always the cheap chain Yoshinoya next door which opens at 7 a.m. — perfect for a cheap morning meal.

What points of interest are within walking distance of the hotel?

The main spots and places to visit are:

• Shinjuku Central Park: 8-minute walk
• Tokyo Government Metropolitan Building (one of the best free views of Tokyo): 13-minute walk
• Kabukichō (Tokyo’s red light district): 15-minute walk
• Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden: 25-minute walk
• Shin-Okubo (Korean Town): 15-minute walk

Who should stay here?

If you are trying to save a few pennies, want good access to Tokyo, and don’t care about a “perfect” hotel, then this one’s for you.

What sustainability measures do they have?

They don’t have excess toiletries in the room. There will be a selection of gels, razors, and other free products in the lobby.

Tips and tricks for the best stay

We wouldn’t spend more than ¥15,000 to stay in this hotel.

Note: If you book via their official website, you can get late checkout (till 12 p.m.).