Hotel Route-Inn Tokyo Ikebukuro

For my first trip to Japan, I stayed seven nights at Hotel Route Inn Ikebukuro and was really glad I chose it. The location in Ikebukuro was a great choice: it has a vibe a lot like Shibuya, with plenty of shops and restaurants, but felt a little quieter and more relaxed. Nearby train lines made it easy to get around Tokyo. The room was spotless and well looked after. It was small but functional, as you’d expect in Tokyo, and manageable for me as a solo traveler. I’m 191 cm tall, about 6'3", and my head touched the shower ceiling. It was just about doable for me, but could be a squeeze if you’re taller. Breakfast wasn’t extravagant, but it was enough to get my day started, especially with all the great food to try around Tokyo. Everyone, from reception to housekeeping, was kind and helpful. When I left, the reception staff even called my next hotel and arranged to forward my luggage. That saved me from hauling a heavy suitcase across the city. The cleanliness, central location, and hospitality made my first Japan trip much easier. I’d definitely stay here again.

We found the room in such bad shape that I’d suggest booking somewhere else. It smelled strongly of cigarettes as soon as we entered, despite supposedly being a non-smoking room. The air purifier smelled of cigarettes too, so I had to turn it off. Ventilation was poor and there was a lot of dust, including in the central air conditioner. I got sick after just one night, waking with a severe sore throat and sneezing repeatedly. Dust collected on my things and was clearly visible on my shirts. I tried opening the window. I went out without a mask, then wore one inside because the dust and dirt were that bad. I did save a little compared with other hotels, but spent too much afterward on medicine, fabreeze, lint rollers, and other things to make the stay better. The lobby was clean and neat, the included breakfast was a nice addition, and the staff were great and very hospitable. The hotel is conveniently located near Sunshine City and some good restaurants. It’s not just a few minutes’ walk to either Higashi Ikebukuro or Ikebukuro Station.

Other than the dusty air purifier machines and the TV having no internet, everything was very good.

Our twin room was a decent size and very clean, with a nice bathtub. The room felt too warm at first, but once we switched off the heater it was completely fine. The staff were friendly and professional, and the service impressed us by going above and beyond. We also loved the breakfast buffet and the location. We’ll definitely come back on our next visit to Tokyo.