HOTEL GROOVE SHINJUKU, A PARKROYAL Hotel

If I wasn't rushing to catch my flight, I would have complained on the spot. I woke up after a night's sleep to find my arms and legs covered in bites from what felt like fleas. The bumps were incredibly itchy and hard to the touch. I never expected my first experience with bug bites in a hotel to be in Japan.

Excellent stay overall! The only downside was a bit of noise, but the service was exceptional. They offer Chinese-speaking staff, and we even received complimentary drinks upon arrival. We stayed for 5 days, and since our triple room was on the highest floor (23rd), I slept closest to the window. The subway noise downstairs was still quite audible. We ended up asking the hotel for earplugs, which helped. There are plenty of food options nearby, and the subway station isn't far, making it convenient to get around. The only thing is, it wasn't cheap, haha. The room was cleaned perfectly every day! Really great, just a tad on the small side.

One of the tallest hotels in Shinjuku (shares the same tower as BELLUSTAR but is lower in price and floor level). My room on the 32nd floor already felt much higher than the surrounding buildings. Of course, if the budget allowed, I'd still choose BELLUSTAR. Shinjuku Station and Kabukicho are right downstairs, making it very lively. The hotel room isn't too small, and the high-floor views are excellent, overlooking the surroundings and the performance stage below. Breakfast is decent, but there's often a queue due to the crowds.