Review: Hotel Indigo Tokyo Shibuya

Why book?

Perfect for short-staying, party-prone guests who want to sleep in the heart of the action, IHG’s latest planted flag is a welcome addition to Tokyo’s mid-range accommodation scene.

Set the scene

Smack dab in the middle of Shibuya’s Dogenzaka area, IHG’s newest Japan hotel is changing the face of the neighborhood from seedy “Love Hotels” to trendier digs (a handful of other international brands are set to open within the area over the next three years). Design details are a bit prescriptive but no one seems to mind as the location is unbeatable and the cleanliness of the brand-new build earns an A+ from us.

The backstory

No international hotel brand has made in-roads into Japan’s hospitality scene better than IHG—bridging the gap between East and West not with fusion decor or food but a cross-cultural recipe that ties values and service ethos more closely together. American warmth mixes with Japanese politeness to provide a flavor of hospitality that has worldwide appeal, and the professional gloss makes Hotel Indigo Tokyo Shibuya the area’s first step toward attracting an older visitor in an area historically popular with Japanese teenagers.

The rooms

You can’t go wrong with any of the rooms here—they’re all lofted high enough in their tower to offer views of Shibuya and beyond below. Take your pick of your favorite angle: direct eyeshot over the Scramble, the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world; Mount Fuji in the distance, visible on a clear day; or simply the endless sprawl of the world’s biggest metropolis. Like most hotels in the city, room sizes are on the small side, but clever layouts and super-efficient bathroom inlays maximizes every nook and cranny, and makes them feel comfy instead of cramped.

Food and drink

With staffing shortages plaguing Japan’s hospitality scene, breakfast service can often be extra tricky to execute—we have high hopes that mornings meals won’t be worth a miss once the property gets a year under its belt.

The neighborhood/area

One of the most crowded hubs in Tokyo, Shibuya is famous for its throngs of pedestrians and collection of shopping malls. A few blocks away, however, are some of the coolest corners of the city, like chic Shoto, with its scatter of mega-mansions, Brooklyn-esque Daikanyama and Nakameguro teeming with cool shops and cafes, and Aoyama, with one of the biggest collections of luxury boutiques in the world.

The service

Some of the best English spoken by hotel staff in Tokyo; a huge plus for Japan newbies who are finding their footing upon arrival.