Mustard Hotel Shimokiazawa — Hotel in Tokyo

We had high hopes for this hotel, considering the price paid, its design and location in a trendy neighbourhood despite the poor Google reviews. Now, we understand why.

While Mustard nailed the design of its exterior spaces, it did not hit the spot as a basic hotel:

Access to guest rooms on the first floor is a nightmare and is NOT disabled-friendly! (see attached image of short flight of stairs to our hotel room)

First hurdle. Upon opening the heavy door, immediately there is a metal vent embedded on the floor on the left which causes one to trip and the floor is carpeted (hard to roll suitcases). This design is major hazard.

Next hurdle. A flight of stairs with no ramp. Why would anyone design a ramp in the outdoor area of the hotel but fail to include it indoors?? We had 4 large heavy suitcases at this point of our trip, and best part? The hotel staff saw our struggle and none offered their help. We had to ASK for assistance, and had a petite female staff attempted to bring it up the stairs.

Mustard claims to be an "eco" hotel. As such, amenities are provided at the BARE MINIMUM.

Only hair dryer, refrigerator, kettle, towels, shower gel & shampoo, a set of PJs are provided in the room. Oh, plus a record player (wow). NO toothbrush kits, hairbrushes, Q-tips and cotton pads. Toothbrush kits can be PURCHASED from the front desk. For a twin sharing room, we only had THREE hangers

This bare minimum is not even industry standard. And for the price we paid a night (~USD $100+), this "eco" hotel concept feels like a cope out and an easy way for the hotel to cut costs. While we understand waste is a concern, I think at the very least a hotel should cater to all the basic comforts of their customers and provide at least the first set FOC. Otherwise, why are we even paying this much for a hotel??? Why do we have to pay for something as basic as toothbrushes?!

Service can be greatly improved there is barely any warmth in the hotel staff attitude. There is no initiative, and most replies were curt. The staff were all well dressed and fashionable ( in Prada, Commes des garçon etc) and seem more interested being seen.

Lack of common spaces for guest use after hours Sidewalk Cafe is attached to the hotel lobby. However we were forbidden from using the tables. Neither were the outdoor seating area available (the entire area was cordoned off). Sadly, we could only hole up in our room for our late night snack.

Check-out is at 10am this was the icing on the cake after all the points above. Mustard allows for late check out up to 12pm, but it's CHARGEABLE by the additional hour. No leeway on this. Even though we checked in at 8pm on our first night.

Conclusion: I rarely feel so compelled to write such a negative review for a hotel. At the end of our stay, we are not sure what value Mustard provided since the most basic things came as an extra cost (in addition to what we already paid for ~USD100+/night). It was a great disappointment and we would never visit...

Hotel Shimokitazawa is not just a hotel, but a meaningful journey through simplicity and excellent service. From the moment you step inside, the minimalist design engulfs you. Its sublime aesthetics stripped down to bare essentials express a profound sense of tranquility and calmness. The absence of unnecessary decor or overly intricate embellishments is a refreshing retreat from the external chaos of everyday life. Its raw, unassuming beauty invites you to appreciate the essential rather than the extraneous.

But it is the staff's service and dedication that truly elevate the Mustard Hotel Shimokitazawa experience. I’d especially like to commend Kotone-san. Her commitment to ensuring guests have a magical stay is nothing short of extraordinary. She deftly navigates any logistical challenges, such as assisting with the delivery of large baggage to another hotel, and offers thoughtful recommendations for local attractions. These efforts resonate with an authentic love for her work and a genuine desire to make guests feel at home.

As for the concerns of some previous guests, I think it’s important understand the true ethos of the Mustard Hotel Shimokitazawa. Its minimalism isn't just aesthetic but ecological as well. The hotel takes a principled stand to minimize waste. Any essentials not provided can conveniently be procured from the nearby Family Mart. This "inconvenience," if one may call it that, also serves as an opportunity to explore the vibrant neighborhood.

The lack of superfluous amenities and the minimalist provision may feel alien to some, but isn't that the purpose of travel, to step out of our comfort zones and experience something new? For the price you pay, you get a genuine and sustainable experience, embedded in the local culture and respectful to our planet.

Moreover, while some may view late check-out charges as restrictive, let’s remember that this is common practice across Japan, a testament to the culture’s discipline and respect for time.

The connected Sidewalk Cafe is a gem in its own right, serving possibly the best coffee and bagels I’ve ever had— and I write this as a former NYC resident.

For those seeking a luxurious, amenity-laden hotel stay, Mustard Hotel Shimokitazawa might not cater to your preferences. But for those seeking an authentic experience that respects Japanese traditions, appreciates minimalism, values sustainability, and champions outstanding service, the hotel offers an unmissable retreat in the magical locale of Shimokitazawa. I cannot recommend it...

Pros: The hotel is aesthetically nice, from the lobby and from the outside. The rooms come with nice PJs that you can use during your stay. For people who are into music, they offer a record borrowing service. The staff speak good English and try to be helpful.

Cons: The rooms are terrible, the worst from my 2 week Japan trip. The windows are small and cell-like. The room tries to be minimalist and modern, but actually there's so little stuff in it that it feels depressing. Imagine a single Muji oak frame bed in an otherwise dirty white room with little natural light. We had a bed that just looked at a blank wall full of black scuffs from people moving around. I was very surprised that the hotel considered that ok (I mean, it was fine, but just weird in Japan where even basic hotels are spotlessly clean).

Also, it was COLD!!! There were individual heating controls in the room but a sign above it saying that the temps were controlled centrally and instead offered to rent more blankets. At night, the temp in December got down to something like 60F and the blankets were light and synthetic and NOT WARM AT ALL. It was the coldest night of my trip, which included staying in mountain huts without heat (but which had very warm down blankets). Then, the next morning, I asked for more blankets and it turned out that I could control the individual units and the sign was incorrect. Ugh.

Oh, and no breakfast, no heated seats on the toilet, and no tub. It's as if the proprietors realized that Westerners aren't used to nice things that are usually standard in Japan and decided they could get away with it. Which they did! The place was packed with cool-looking non Japanese people.

Advice: Vibes don't keep you warm. For half the price stay in a clean, warm Nest hotel instead.

By the way, Shimokitazawa is Tokyo's version of places in Brooklyn, Berlin, etc. If you've bought overpriced vintage tees in those places, make this neighborhood a day trip, not the focus of your stay. It's a pain to have so many subway connections to...