APA Hotel Higashi Shinjuku Kabukicho

There was a faint unpleasant smell near the restroom, and I could tell someone had urinated on the carpet. I hung my clothes near the doorway for a few days, then after checkout put on my hoodie and found it smelled like urine. I won’t come back. I also paid for an extra night as a goodwill gesture because my flight was at 8 pm and checkout was at 10 am. In effect, I paid for an extra day of accommodation.

For the price, the room was a good deal for a solo traveler. It was small but comfortable, and the staff were friendly and accommodating. They helped me check in and explained the amenities. My one issue was the very firm pillow. It was okay for a few nights, but I wouldn’t want one like that at home.

My stay at this Shinjuku hotel, in room 211 from 5/9/2026-5/12/2026, was a disaster. On the first night I found vomit on the bathroom floor towel, and I also discovered bed bugs. Those conditions were disgusting and felt like a health hazard. Staff were unhelpful, and I didn’t see proper care or accountability. I found the staff’s friendly manner superficial. Their expressions and body language made them seem unwilling to help, and internal policy appeared to matter more than basic assistance. If you have mobility issues or are physically disabled and need even a little help with luggage, don’t stay here. The APA Hotel in Takasaki was far better in both hospitality and willingness to help guests with disabilities. Service in Shinjuku can be hit or miss, and this was a total miss. I won’t return.

I only had to spend one night here, thankfully. The room size was acceptable for what I paid, but cleanliness was terrible: there were many blood stains on the duvet, apparently hidden under a cover, and the room smelled strongly of mould. It’s near Shinjuku station, but there are plenty of other hotels in the area. I wouldn’t recommend staying here.