HOTEL GROOVE SHINJUKU, A PARKROYAL Hotel — Hotel in Tokyo

I recently spent a week at Hotel Groove Shinjuku, A PARKROYAL Hotel, and it was easily one of the best hotel experiences I’ve had in Tokyo (or anywhere). I’m a startup CEO from Singapore, so I travel often for both work and leisure – I usually stay in 4-5 star hotels and have pretty high expectations. Hotel Groove Shinjuku managed to exceed them all. Here’s why I’m rating it 5 stars without hesitation:||Location, Location, Location! This hotel’s location is simply unbeatable for a Tokyo visit. It’s situated in Shinjuku’s tallest building, the brand-new Tokyu Kabukicho Tower, so you literally can’t miss it. Being in this skyscraper means two things: amazing convenience and jaw-dropping views. First, convenience: the hotel is just a few minutes’ walk from multiple train/subway stations (I could get to JR Shinjuku Station in about 7 minutes on foot, and there’s a subway entrance even closer). Practically anywhere in central Tokyo is within 15–20 minutes by train or taxi – I found I could reach my business meetings in Shibuya, Roppongi, Marunouchi etc. in no time. Plus, you’re right in the middle of Shinjuku, so dozens of restaurants, cafes, bars, and shops are right at your doorstep. Despite this ultra-central location, I was surprised how quiet and peaceful it felt up in the hotel – it truly is an oasis above the busy city streets.||And speaking of the streets: one huge perk is that the Airport Limousine Bus (in my view, the best hassle-free way to get into Tokyo from the Haneda/Narita airports) stops directly at the hotel. When I departed, I caught a Haneda-bound bus right from the hotel at the cost of 10% of a taxi. If you’re coming from overseas, you will love this feature.||Spectacular Skyline Views: I’ve been to Tokyo many times, but waking up to that panoramic skyline view every day was something special. My room had a gigantic floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the city – I could see all of Shinjuku’s neon lights, and the skyscrapers of downtown. Because the hotel occupies the upper floors (18/F and above) of a 225m tower, you’re higher up than almost everything else around. It’s arguably the best view you can get in Shinjuku – every night I found myself mesmerized by the cityscape. And the sunsets… wow. Watching the sky turn orange and pink over Tokyo’s skyline from my room was just magical. Bonus: the windows are very well insulated, so you get the view without any of the city noise – my room was perfectly quiet for sleeping. If you value a great view, this hotel delivers in spades.||Spacious, Comfortable & Thoughtfully Designed Rooms: Another aspect that impressed me was the room itself. Tokyo is infamous for tiny hotel rooms, but Hotel Groove’s rooms are huge by Tokyo standards. Plenty of room to unpack and settle in, and enough floor space that you can actually roll out your yoga mat each morning beside the window and do your stretches with a panoramic city view. Even if you opt for a smaller room, the way they’re designed makes them feel open and not cramped. The decor is chic and modern, with fun artistic touches that give a nod to Shinjuku’s music/entertainment culture. My bed was extremely comfortable.||The bathroom was high-tech and spotless, equipped with a fantastic rain shower and a Japanese bidet toilet (with the heated seat – a godsend). Water pressure and temperature were perfect. They also provide lavish bath amenities (signature scented toiletries, very nice quality) and even things like a toothbrush, razor, etc., in case you forget anything. I loved the plush bathrobes and slippers waiting in the closet after a shower. Housekeeping was on point, keeping everything immaculately clean each day. Coming back to a refreshed room after long workdays was wonderful. And if you need to do laundry on a long stay, they have self-service washers/dryers – the neat part is you can check machine availability on your TV, so no waiting around in the laundry room. Small touches like that show how the hotel blends Japanese innovation with hospitality.||(One note: the hotel doesn’t have a gym or pool but I honestly didn’t mind. Fitness tip: there’s plenty of space in the room to do a workout on a yoga mat. If you really need gym equipment, there are fitness centers in Shinjuku you could visit, but I was perfectly happy with my in-room routine.)||Exceptional Service – They Truly Care: The service at Hotel Groove Shinjuku is top-notch and very warm. From the moment I arrived, I was treated like a valued guest. The staff at the front desk were super friendly and efficient during check-in, making sure all my requests were met. In fact, I arrived a bit earlier than the standard check-in time, and they managed to arrange an early check-in for me – much appreciated as I was jet-lagged. Throughout my stay, the concierge and service team went above and beyond. For example, I needed an iron and ironing board to press some shirts – a quick call to housekeeping and it was delivered in under 5 minutes with a smile. I also requested a late check-out due to an evening flight, and as a member of their GHA Discovery loyalty program, they happily extended my check-out to 4:00 PM at no extra charge. It’s evident that they honor elite benefits and treat loyalty members very well, which is fantastic (I received a room upgrade as well, which was a lovely surprise).||Even beyond elite perks, every guest seemed to be treated kindly. The doormen/bellmen on the ground floor were always ready to help with luggage or just greet you with a friendly “Welcome back!” each time. The front desk staff spoke fluent English (and I heard them seamlessly switch to Mandarin and Korean with other guests), so communication was never an issue. What really stood out was that the staff were proactive. You get the sense that the team here has been very well trained in hospitality and they genuinely want you to have a great stay.||Fantastic Dining – Don’t Skip the Breakfast (and Dessert!): I’m a big breakfast person, and Hotel Groove’s breakfast blew me away. Each morning I ate at their JAM17 Dining & Bar on the 17th floor. It’s a buffet setup and had an impressive array of options: a mix of Japanese dishes (miso soup, grilled fish, rice, pickles) and Western favorites (eggs, bacon, pastries, fresh fruit, cereals, you name it). The quality was superb – you can taste the care in the cooking. They even had chef-attended stations for made-to-order items. Protein options were plentiful too (which I appreciate to fuel up for the day) – e.g. they had boiled eggs, steamed chicken, yogurt, etc., alongside the usual pastries. Coffee was rich and strong, perfect start to the morning. One tip: try to go early (~7-8 AM) because it can get a little crowded later. Overall, one of the best hotel breakfasts I’ve had – worth the additional cost, in my opinion, if it’s not included in your rate.||I also dined at the hotel’s restaurant for dinner a couple of times and was very impressed. In the evenings JAM17 transforms into a stylish bar/lounge atmosphere with dim lighting and music. The menu offers a creative take on international and Japanese-fusion cuisine. Do save room for dessert: their signature Tiramisu is an absolute must-try. I’m a dessert lover and I can honestly say it was the lightest, most flavorful tiramisu I’ve ever had – it somehow manages to be airy and not too sweet, a perfect ending to a meal.||Another sweet touch (literally): the hotel has a separate gelato ice cream shop called JAM17 Gelateria. It’s right next to the restaurant and open to the public as well. If you stay here, treat yourself – the gelato is top-notch! 🍨||Extra Perks & Final Thoughts: There are so many other positive aspects of Hotel Groove Shinjuku that I could mention, but I’ll summarize a few: The Wi-Fi was fast and reliable (I had a couple of video conference calls and had no connectivity issues at all – important for business travelers). The lobby area (on the 18th floor) is stylish and has a social vibe – there’s even a DJ booth and sometimes they play curated music playlists, which makes it feel like you’re in a trendy lounge. Despite that, it’s still family-friendly during the day; I saw a mix of travelers from businesspeople to families with kids enjoying their stay. The hotel is also part of a larger complex that has a new movie theater, live music hall, and restaurants, so if you have a free evening, you don’t have to go far for entertainment. Yet, when I was in my room, I couldn’t hear any of the city noise or building activity – just blissful quiet and comfort.||Bottom line: Hotel Groove Shinjuku gets my highest recommendation. It combines luxury and style with down-to-earth friendly service. Every aspect of my week-long stay was smooth and enjoyable. From the seamless airport transfer to the warm check-in, the stunning room and view, the delicious food, and the impeccable service – it was all perfect. I honestly could not find a single thing to complain about. In fact, I’m already planning to stay here again on my next trip to Tokyo. It’s rare for me to say this, but this hotel truly felt like a home away from home (albeit with more perks and a better view!).||If you’re looking for a place that has it all – convenience, comfort, class, and a bit of cool Tokyo edge – Hotel Groove Shinjuku is the destination. Huge thanks to the staff for an unforgettable stay. I’ll definitely be back the next time business or leisure travels bring...

My daughters (11 and 15) and I stayed at Hotel Groove for 3 nights at the start of our Japan adventure. It was recommend by my travel agent. I’m actually not sure why. The hotel location was fine - close to the train but not as close as to the areas where we ended up spending most of our time (Ginza). Important to note - this hotel does not have laundry services or really any services which is surprising for the price point. They have washing machines you can do yourself. No gym on site, pool/spa or even a lobby with comfortable seating. There is only one restaurant with fairly limited hours and the bar opens at 5. No room service either. It’s super odd for what is supposed|to be a “nice” hotel.||For a family, I wouldn’t select this hotel again. No place to get “sundries” as the only thing they’re selling in their “lobby” is socks and keychains. There’s no lounge area or place to conduct work calls via Zoom. My daughter described it as sterile apartment lobby. ||The hotel staff were mostly nice but not really ever helpful but our last night there is what prompted to me to write this review. My youngest child has been sick with a fever fora couple days. She didn’t feel well enough to go out for dinner but was still hungry. I didn’t feel comfortable leaving the site so I went first to the bar and asked if I could order “to go” meals for us. They said no, that’s not allowed due to “ecological reasons.” I said that I was staying on the premises and would be happy to bring the plates back. They said no, that’s not allowed and that everyone must eat in the restaurant. After several of them discussed amongst themselves and gave many excuses, they said they spoke with the head chef “and he would be willing to allow it for certain meals on the menu.” I asked which meals were permitted for carry out and they said “certain salads and certain pastas.” They still then had multiple conversations and made me feel uncomfortable and unwelcome in my own hotel. Because I felt uncomfortable, I said never mind. I will have my older (healthy) daughter come downstairs and we will have dinner. I figured I would try and find a solution for getting my youngest dinner. I talked to our server and was told that the chef would allow “certain meals to be taken to go.” I asked what meals those were and they said “pastas and salads.” My youngest wanted “caprese salad” so I thought I was in the clear and ordered for her. I tried to walk out of the restaurant with the caprese salad and was stopped. Emphatically. As if I was leaving the Louvre with the Mona Lisa under my shirt. I explained that I wanted to take the salad to my sick child and was told emphatically no. During this entire time I was treated like a criminal, as if I were asking for something utterly unreasonable. I understand Japan takes food safety to new levels and I appreciate that. It’s not my first visit. What I really didn’t appreciate is how utterly unwilling they were to accommodate a sick child. Ironically enough, when I said that I would then just bring my sick and hungry kid (with 102 fever) down to the restaurant so she could eat, they magically brought her food in a tiny plastic container, small to go bag and utensils, ready for me to take. Which I appreciated but also found super confusing given they said they don’t do carry out. If they never accommodate to go meals then why do they have the to go items and why did they have a “to go” form that I was made to sign in order to receive the food. What is that about? Needless to say. Won’t be staying at this place again. Annoyed and not how I wanted to spend my last night in Tokyo.||What I really don’t appreciate is how they were completely and utterly unwilling to work with me to help out my kid. Ironically enough, when I said that I would then just bring my sick and hungry kid (with 102 fever) down to the restaurant so she could eat, they magically brought her food in a tiny plastic container, small to go bag and utensils, ready for me to take. Which I appreciated but also found super confusing given they said they don’t do carry out. If they never accommodate to go meals then why do they have the to go items and why did they have a “to go” form that I was made to sign in order to receive the food. What is that about? Needless to say. Won’t be staying at this place again. Annoyed and not how I wanted to spend my last night in Tokyo.||I will say that their breakfast was great and we enjoyed each morning. Otherwise, the hotel feels very industrial with very...

I am holding back the tears as the taxi takes me away from this hotel. This was my first time in Japan and the Hotel Groove could not have been nicer. From the second we were dropped off by the taxi, everyone at this hotel has been super kind and helpful. We were immediately greeted by a young man who helped us with our luggage. There is no tipping in Japan so we know that he was doing this out of duty for his job, but doing it kindly and happily. He helped us to the check in area. A lovely young woman offered us small bottles of cold Ito En iced tea while we completed our check in. Although the self-service kiosk did not work for us to complete our check in, there were plenty of employees to help us check in at the desk. Another young man made sure our luggage would be delivered to our room, even though we were prepared to do it ourselves. He came up very quickly and even apologized in the event he was late (he was not late!). Our room was well appointed with quiet and strong central air conditioning, a clothing rack, a safe, a large sink with plenty of counter space and a mirror. Opposite the sink was a stall for the toilet (modern Japanese style) and another stall for the shower. There was a large curtain to divide the bathroom area from the sleeping area. A wide table was behind the king bed with a chair for sitting. The table was a good place to put small things purchased throughout the day. The king bed had plenty of pillows and a warm comforter. The bed had a city view with a large curtain for privacy and blocking the sun. Despite Kabukicho being the “Times Square” of Tokyo, our hotel room was very quiet for sleeping and everything was clean and secure. There were always multiple greeters at the ground floor entrance and again at the 18th floor hotel lobby. Getting an elevator was never a long wait or a problem. We used the magnet system to indicate our preference for cleaning on a daily basis (we had them clean on alternate days). The housekeeping staff was always very quiet and nearly invisible! They always came when we were out and before we came back. The room was always sparkling clean. We always had four boxes of fresh water awaiting us, clean and folded towel, a made bed, and any sundries we used were restocked. There was a small fridge for drinks and a hidden away electric tea kettle. There were two small benches at the end of the bed for sitting or storing bags. We also stored bags under the sink. On checkout day, we called for help with the luggage. Not only did they help with luggage, they called us a taxi to our next destination and made sure the driver knew the address. The hotel had a massive buffet breakfast available for an additional fee. In addition to the buffet, you got to choose a chef made entree and could also take coffee, milk, and fruit to go. We did the hotel breakfast one day since American/European-style breakfast is the one thing not plentiful in Kabukicho. For a quicker options, there is a Starbucks on the first floor of the tower with pastries and savory options and a McDonald’s down the street. For lunch and dinner, there are restaurants in the building and myriad options right outside...