Stay SAKURA Tokyo Shinjuku Hyaku Kura

It’s good value and has a nice traditional design, with most things within a 15-minute walk and the train just over five minutes away. The location is convenient, tucked outside the busy area. The suite was nice and the bed comfortable, though small. Service was okay when staff were around. They don’t clean daily unless you pay extra, and the room was very dusty. I had some allergy problems from the dust. It would be good value if those issues were sorted out.

Of all the hotels I stayed in in Japan, this was the one I liked least. The station is very close, which was the main upside, but the area was noisy and not very clean. The room was tiny, though I know that’s fairly typical for Tokyo. I did like the good hairdryer and smart Panasonic toilet, but the window wouldn’t open and the air conditioner was dirty, like it hadn’t been cleaned in ages. At reception, I asked a staff member from India to help me make a phone call because I don’t speak Japanese. She said she thought I should handle it myself, which I found disappointing and unhelpful. I definitely wouldn’t stay here again. 2 out of 10.

We chose Stay Sakura for our final two nights because the photos made it look like a nice place to treat ourselves. It didn’t feel welcoming in person, though, and there was no lounge or spot to sit and have coffee. The mattress had a deep dip on one side, so I felt like I was sliding into a hole. When I reported it, the receptionist said he’d check. Later, he turned the mattress around, showed it to us, and acted as though there was no problem and we were making it up. Bright light from the façade came through the window at night, and the thin curtains didn’t block it, so we couldn’t sleep well. The nearby area wasn’t appealing either: it’s close to the metro, but there’s not much charm or good food around. I wouldn’t recommend it for the price.

The location was handy, close to the train and pretty much everything we needed. The free drinks in the fridge were available to take, and staff promptly brought fresh towels when we asked. We were a group staying for a week at the end of our Japan trip, with no other place we could move to. The room had several problems. Some outlets by the bed didn’t work, the shower drain was clogged and slow, and there was a motion light by the bathroom near the front door, as other reviews mention. The AC was broken the first night, so we had to sleep through the summer heat without even a fan. It had leaked onto the sofa bed, and there was water damage on the wall before we arrived. We told staff right away and twice more that night, but they blamed us. When we asked for replacement pillows, they only gave us pillowcases. I hope management handles problems like this more fairly and explains the rules clearly instead of saying it’s the guest’s fault.