Since my experience on the subject is quite limited, I - as usually - invite members to post their own recommendations!
Bali An (バリアン)
Area - Shinjuku (Kabukicho)
Address - 東京都新宿区歌舞伎町2-1-11
Phone - 0120-759-417
Internet -
www.balian.jp
Stay - Sun-Thu & Hol : from 12'800 yen, Fri-Sat & before Hol : from 14'800 yen
Check-in time - Sun-Thu & Hol : 8 pm, Fri & before Hol : 11 pm, Sat : 12 am
Rest - Sun-Thu & Hol : 6'800 yen, Fri-Sat & before Hol : 9'800 yen
Coupon - available (official web site)
Payment - at the reception upon leaving
Possibility to go out (key) - yes
Reservation - possible, but only limited number of room can be reserved (you usually need to reserve 1 week in advance)
We like - Large rooms with great south-est asian design, very cosy atmosphere including in the lobby, very nice bathroom, the possibility to leave the room and come back...
Probably the nicest love hotel in Shinjuku! Themed on a South-East Asia Tropical Resort, the experience start from the entrance... Unlike most love hotels, there is a nice reception at the entrance, and the lobby is very welcoming - it is also usually full of couples waiting, as there is often a 30-40 minutes waiting time required. Fortunately, nice sofa, free massage chairs & free wine help a lot! Surrounded by water and green plants, guests will almost enjoy the wait! Have a look at the
photo gallery for more details.
Rooms are large to very large, with a huge bed. Upon entering, guests are welcomed with the giant TV screen showing pictures of a tropical sea, while the "sound" of the sea can be clearly heard... In the "Sweet Room" (see picture), a wooden sofa with a table as well as a massage chair are available. This room is the upgrade of the cheapest room, and costs 14'800 yen per night (Sun-Thu & Hol). All rooms seem to have a great bathroom, with a huge circular bath tube. And all possible amenities are available, too.
Takemine (竹峰, たけみね)
Area - Takadanobaba (close to Saginomiya station on Seibu Shinjuku line; 15-20 min by foot from Takadanobaba)
Address - 東京都新宿区中落合1-1-3
Phone - 03-3953-1234
Internet -
www.takemine.co.jp
Stay - 9'000-16'000 yen
Check-in time - 10 pm
Rest - 5'000-9'000 yen
Coupon - ?
Payment - in the room (automatic machine, only in Japanese)
Possibility to go out (key) - no
Reservation - no
We like - Japanese traditional design with even a small stone garden in the entrance of the room, superior rooms are in fact suites with two independent rooms, nice and large bathroom...
(picture of a room at 13'000 yen per night).
This hotel is a truly great find! It is a little isolated, you will need to take Seibu Shinjuku line or walk from Takadanobaba for a while, but it offers rooms that match the quality of some of the best ryokan! There are as always several types of rooms, but even the mid-level quality has a nice mini-stone garden at the entrance, and two separated tatami rooms. Plus a large and comfortable jacuzzi...
Note that once you get a member card, you can reserve a room 30-60 minutes in advance...