Apa Hotel Pride Akasaka Kokkaigijidomae Hotel

The onsen was amazing, with both indoor and outdoor baths, and there aren’t many Tokyo hotels that have one. Rooms are the usual APA style for a solo traveler, with space for just one suitcase under the bed, though this one was a little bigger than most and had nicer facilities. Luggage storage is available before and after check-in or check-out, and they can send luggage to the airport if you book a couple of days ahead. The location is good, if not amazing. It’s about a five-minute walk to the closest station and 10 minutes to the nearest convenience store. There isn’t much right nearby, but it’s between many of the major landmarks, including Shibuya and Ginza. Breakfast is offered, though I didn’t try it.

I keep coming back here whenever I’m in Tokyo, and it’s my favorite place to stay. The rooms are clean and comfortable, just what I expect from APA, and the service is always efficient. There are plenty of good restaurants in the neighborhood, and the train station is only a short walk away, which makes it easy to get around the city.

I’m still staying here, but I already feel comfortable giving it five stars. The room isn’t very big, but it’s clean and has what I need. The bathroom is fine, though the shower feels a bit small for tall guys. That wasn’t a big problem since the hotel has a beautiful, spacious spa on the 17th floor. The desk staff are kind, professional, and always smiling. Staying at APA feels like visiting someone I know. I’d rather have a small table or something to put my luggage on instead of keeping it under the bed. That’s still not a big issue when travelling solo. I’d say it’s a 9/10.

The location was the only good part for me. The staff were generally friendly, but the negatives outweighed the positives. The rooms are tiny, though that’s not such a big deal if you’re travelling solo. The worst thing was the smell. I can’t describe how bad it was, and I had to sleep with the window open and use cologne. I asked to change rooms, but they said they were “fully booked” and couldn’t do it. I’m not sure a different room would have helped anyway, since I met other guests with the same problem. Breakfast was poor too: canned fruit, low-quality food overall, and what seemed to be leftovers from previous days. At least the coffee and tea were fresh. People told me not to book an Apa hotel, but I didn’t listen. I wouldn’t stay here again. You can find somewhere much better for the same money, and if you do book this one, I’d skip breakfast.