APA Hotel Shinjuku Gyoemmae

I stayed at Hapa Hotel, Shinjuku, and unfortunately, it did not live up to the standards of a proper 3-star hotel. Check-in & Reception Like many hotels in Japan, check-in is strictly from 3pm. Arriving even 45 minutes early, I was told to wait — which led to a messy and crowded check-in experience exactly at check-in time. The reception area itself feels chaotic: self-check-in machines are placed awkwardly in front of the staff counters, creating a sort of barrier between staff and guests, and the lobby doubles as a storage space, making the first impression very poor. Room Experience The first room I received had a strong, unpleasant smell (likely from the bathroom) that didn’t improve even after hours of airing out. I raised this issue late at night, and while the staff did understand and change my room the next day, the process revealed how rigidly “rules” are followed rather than focusing on guest comfort. Initially, I was told I’d have to check out at 10am and wait until 3pm for a new room, which made little sense for a room change. After some arguments, the matter was resolved and I got a new room at 11am. The new room was better, but both rooms were extremely small, the smallest I have ever seen in Japan. Facilities The onsen in the basement was clean and pleasant, with one indoor and two small outdoor pools. Probably the highlight of the hotel. Breakfast This was a real disappointment. The buffet was very limited and almost entirely Japanese-style dishes, which might be fine, but the quality and variety were lacking. Even other Asian guests I overheard (Chinese couples, for instance) found it “strange” and unappealing. For a hotel now caters to international travelers, a few more balanced options would go a long way. Location The real advantage of this property is its central location, with two stations nearby, making it convenient for exploring Shinjuku. Check-out Checkout was another frustrating part. It’s at 10am — unusually early compared to other Japanese hotels (normally 11). To make it worse, breakfast also ends at 10, so you either rush through your meal or risk being late. A late checkout is available, but it’s charged at 2,000 yen per hour, which feels more like a way to generate extra revenue than to provide guest comfort. Yet, it was easy to request a late check out via the TV in the room, so I did not have to deal with the staff. Overall This hotel’s location is good, and the onsen is decent, but that’s where the positives end. Small rooms, poor breakfast, an unwelcoming reception setup, and inflexible service make it feel more like a 2-star property at best. I would recommend this hotel only if the location was the priority.