Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu Review: What To REALLY Expect If You Stay (2023)

Pros

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Cons

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Bottom Line

The Shibuya Excel Tokyu is an upper-middle-range hotel with a prime spot right next to one of the world's most iconic sights: Shibuya Crossing. Expect clean, compact, and relatively modern rooms, many with astounding views of neon-lit Shibuya. Black-out curtains, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and a decent amount of storage space come standard in all units. Features are limited to three on-site restaurants and bars, including French and Japanese options with astounding views on the top floor. Both serve breakfast, and the buffet at the French restaurant is extensive. The lively bar at the lobby level draws a mix of tourists and local businesspeople. Rates are decent for prime Tokyo real estate, but if you'd prefer something with just a little more style it's worth considering the Shibuya Granbell Hotel instead.

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Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu

Scene

Simple and straightforward hotel for travelers needing a clean, up-to-date spot with a central location

Like the wildly busy neighborhood that the hotel calls home, the Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu is a hive of activity day and night. From the lobby to the top-floor restaurants, you'll likely spot a steady mix of international families, business people, and domestic travelers coming and going at all hours. The rates are relatively reasonable for the area, making this a popular choice (especially given its prime location and great city views). The look throughout the hotel is inoffensively modern, with lots of neutral tones and light wood hues in almost every corner. The star of the show are the views, which are on full display in the top-floor French and Japanese restaurants. Some of the premium rooms also have stunning Shibuya Crossing views, but that's not the case across the board.

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Location

Right in the middle of hectic Shibuya, with connections to shopping and major train lines

Without a doubt, this hotel's location is its strongest suit. The Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu sits right in the middle of what is supposedly the busiest part of Tokyo, next to Shibuya Crossing. That iconic intersection, where hordes of people are timed into one mass of moving humanity in accordance with red and green lights, draws thousands of tourists in its own right. The Hachiko Memorial Statue is also just across the road. But the Shibuya area is also ground zero for everything from high-end shopping to hidden izakayas and ramen shops to the beautiful Yoyogi Park that's just to its north. Nightlife is also a big deal in Shibuya. The hotel itself is connected to Shibuya Mark City and Shibuya Station, where you'll find several metro, subway and JR lines all converging. It's about a five-minute trip to Harajuku, 10-minute ride to Shinjuku Station, a 20-minute ride to Ginza, and 45 minutes to Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa. Budget up to 90 minutes to reach Narita Airport by train from the Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu, and around 30 minutes by taxi or an hour by public transit to Haneda Airport.

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Rooms

Simple and relatively modern rooms, some are tiny, though city views are often amazing

There isn't anything to complain about when it comes to the rooms at Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu. They're clean and relatively modern, with enough storage space for most travelers. Keep in mind that entry-level rooms are often tight, with beds pressed into a corner and just a bit of space for a desk and chair adjacent. Bathrooms are likewise often tiny, though there's plenty of vanity space and all units come with tubs. The look is pleasant, and includes light wood-veneer furniture, dark carpets, and white bedding. There are drawers and hanging space for clothes, and standard features include free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, kettles for hot water, mini-fridges, blackout curtains, and individually controlled air-conditioning. Pillows are skimpy and even double rooms for two people will only come with two pillows. Mattresses are quite firm as well. The star of the show at Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu are the views, which are generally quite stellar no matter what (Shibuya's lights blaze all around at night). However, keep in mind that only upgraded rooms look directly onto Shibuya Crossing.Regardless of the view, all rooms stay blissfully quiet. Smoking is allowed in some rooms and floors at the Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu, so consider yourself warned in advance and specify if you'd prefer a non-smoking room.

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Features

Limited extras include two restaurants and a casual bar/cafe

Features aren't numerous at this simple city hotel. The only ones of note revolve around dining and drinking. There's a casual cafe and bar on the same floor as the lobby, where you'll likely see a mix of local business people and hotel guests throughout the day. Up on the top floor, you'll find a Japanese and a French Restaurant. Both have astounding views of Shibuya, especially at night. Both also offer breakfast as well as other meals, though the buffet option at the French restaurant, while extensive, can get busy. As the Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu is a fairly busy place overall, you shouldn't expect to be allowed to check into your room early, though the hotel will of course hold your luggage. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel and there's a concierge on hand during the day as well.

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