Hotel Indigo TOKYO SHIBUYA by IHG

Choosing Hotel Indigo Shibuya was a mistake, and I'll explain why. First, what made us paranoid was the hotel's practice of checking our room every time we left. I don't know what else they do, but it felt strange and intrusive to enter without permission, especially when personal belongings might be on the bed. They would come in multiple times a day, even after cleaning, and sometimes two girls with creepy smiles would knock on our door. Secondly, almost everything in the room was chargeable (except for tea and coffee). The minibar looked impressive with wine and champagne, but for all this 'luxury,' they asked for a 30,000 yen deposit (credit card or cash) before check-in. Throughout my trip to Japan, where I stayed in four other expensive hotels, only Hotel Indigo requested this. If you only have cash and this is your last hotel stay, be prepared to carry that money to the airport and spend it there. This was very inconvenient for me. An important point: the warm water in the sink smelled terribly of sewage. I don't know if this was specific to room 2403 or something else, but it was a fact. There was no such issue when using the warm shower. I found the hotel's design overrated. I don't consider it a work of art or even the best among the hotels I stayed in in Japan. There weren't even electric blinds. The breakfasts, however, were excellent – no complaints there. Everything was delicious, with a wide selection, and convenient serving hours from 6:30 AM to 10:30 AM. The location left an impression that every time you went down to the first floor, you were greeted by either the smell of burning food from the kitchen or other unpleasant odors from the food court on the same floor. The surrounding area was very crowded, with many izakayas, bars, mid-range establishments, brothels, and women standing outside with signs and hourly rates. If your goal is shopping, it's better to stay closer to the Harajuku area. Or if you plan to visit Ginza, it's better to stay there and take the Ginza line to these areas, which takes 15-20 minutes. The room size was unsatisfactory. For the same price and with better conditions, I stayed in a beautiful 43 sq.m. room in Ginza, compared to the 23 sq.m. here. Overall, the hotel isn't bad if you appreciate having your toilet paper replenished and mini-bar restocked every time you leave the room, seemingly so you'll spend more. The hotel gave the impression that it was trying to profit from guests in every possible way. Despite this, its price was the highest (though slightly higher than the hotel in Ginza). On the positive side, I'd mention the cleanliness and that everything in the rooms was new. It felt like a very fresh hotel, except for the smell from the warm water in the sink. The gym was small with limited equipment, and there was no pool. I don't understand how it managed to get a 5-star rating. Perhaps it's someone's favorite hotel, but for me, it's a strange and overrated hotel.

The room isn't huge, but it's well-designed and spotlessly clean. The hotel's location is also excellent, making it super convenient for getting around.

The hotel is conveniently located near Shibuya Station, making it great for shopping. However, the room is a bit small and can be a little noisy.

The service here is top-notch. I've never experienced anything like it before. In other hotels, you usually see the cleaning staff around with their carts on the floor. Not here. If you leave your room, even multiple times, they come in after each departure to tidy up, empty the trash, and wash the cups. I'm shocked, in a good way! 😻 How do they manage that? I wholeheartedly recommend this hotel! 🔥

Great location, with a shopping area and many restaurants right downstairs.

I found the hotel quite easily. You can set your GPS to MEGA Don Quijote Shibuya, and then cross the street to Dogenzaka and you'll see the hotel's elevator. If you take the stairs, it leads to the back entrance (if you see stairs at the back, don't go up! There's a small passage next to the stairs that also leads to the elevator! You'll see Gong Cha, YG, and other beverage shops there). The hotel's location is super convenient. The elevator goes down to the first floor, which opens up to a large Don Quijote Shibuya store, so you don't have to brave the crowds across the street! It's just a bit of a walk from the subway station, which can be tough with luggage. Every day on the way back to the hotel, I'd pass the 'Stay with Me' intersection – it's really lively with lots of international visitors.

The hotel's location is excellent, making it easy to get around. The design is modern and vibrant. Although the rooms aren't huge, they are well-laid out and offer great views. The breakfast was delicious, and the service was outstanding! A very satisfying stay!