Whether it is your first time or your second time or even your multiple time in Tokyo Japan, this city will leave you with mixed emotions – excitement, craving for delicious food and admiration for its beautiful culture. With so many districts within Tokyo, finding a great place to stay might not be easiest especially if it’s your first time like my recent trip in February 2020. Staying at the 4 stars Candeo Hotels Shimbashi was a great revelation, located at the business district – it’s only 2 stops away from Tokyo Station.
Disclaimer: I was welcomed as a guest by Candeo Hotels Shimbashi. As always, all of my opinions expressed in this review are my own and speak to my true experience at the hotel. This website is a free resource and to keep it free for my readers I may use affiliate links in articles. All pictures are owned by Sarah Courtney from www.whatsupcourtney.com aka @heywhatsupcoutney. Please do not repost or take pictures and words from this website and social media without written permission.
Checking in at Candeo Hotels Shimbashi
18 hours of traveling from Newcastle UK, I arrived at Tokyo Narita airport at 11 am JST. Take the Narita express with your JR pass to Tokyo station and switch to a subway which is only 2 stops to Shimbashi station! Take in the atmosphere during the 5-minute walk to the hotel. You will pass by several ramen shops, a tempura place, Pachinko, Yoshinoya, KFC, Family Mart, and Karasumori Shrine before you are greeted with a grand entrance to Candeo Hotels.
Head up the lift to the reception on the 11th floor, and no fear, the receptionist is great at English and check-in was a straightforward affair. I notice hotels in Japan check-in time have a tendency to be either 3 pm or 4 pm, and Candeo hotels Shimbashi was at 3 pm. They were more than happy to keep our suitcases safe while we have lunch and explore before returning at 3 pm to our room.
Location and places nearby
Shimbashi is mainly a business and entertainment area where you will find tons of quaint restaurants and traditional ramen shops. It is very centrally located as I have said only 2 stops away from Tokyo Station on the Yamanote line. Ideally, you can use your JR Pass here.
To be honest, this is an area that I am not familiar with in my research of Tokyo, and I am very pleased with the location. It’s incredibly convenient to go to the favorite tourist spots. The nightlife is absolutely buzzing! Neon lights and the typical buzz filled with after-work salarymen and women and like many places in Tokyo- it’s very safe with a pleasant vibe.
Famous places/districts nearby:
- For the Ghibli fans – visit the Ghibli clock 8 minutes walk away from the hotel.
- Tokyo Imperial Palace – 22 minutes on foot or 5 train stops using the Asakusa line (3 stops) and change at Tozai Line (2 stops)
- Tokyo Tower -20 minute walk or 22 minutes by bus
- Akihabara – 4 stops away by train (15mins)
- Shibuya – 8 stops via JR line
- Zozoji Temple – 17 minutes on foot or 1 stop to Hamamatsucho Station and walk 5 mins to the temple.
The Rooms at Candeo Hotels Shinbashi
Candeo Hotels Shinbashi has rooms for all types of travelers, from the twin room up to a King Room with a bed that easily accommodates 3 adults or 2 adults with children. My king room on the 9th floor was a spacious 17m air-conditioned room with a city view.
The bed is massive, it looks like 2 double bed combined! I counted and you can roll over 3 times to reach the other end! Very comfortable with fluffy pillows. There’s a big sized TV plus a desk area complete with notepads and pens. Plus a kettle with tea bags and coffee, and a refrigerator, empty and very useful – it’s nice to see fridges in the room again. Additionally, there are multiple plugs dotted around the room and over your bed.
The ensuite bathroom is glorious, it is equipped with the famous Japanese toilet and HEATED SEATS! It’s so comforting in the morning during cold days with a built-in bidet! The toiletry kit is impressive, located by the desk, you get a toothbrush, comb, mini toothpaste, razor, shaving cream a shower cap plus others. And don’t worry there’s an AC for the hot days and heater for cold days.
Perks:
Bedroom slippers are provided – make sure to take off your shoes at the room foyer. This is very customary in Japan.
A day bed by the massive window is regularly available in most rooms. Its lovely to sit here and watch the Tokyo skyline from your room.
And … wait for it! ….. Candeo Hotels Shimbashi provides Pyjamas! That’s right! and they also fit! they are quite baggy and loose, and soft. Wear them to breakfast or to the Sky Spa and to sleep!
Toiletries are provided – shampoo, body gel, conditioner, toothbrush, comb, shower cap, mini toothpaste, razor, shaving cream.
And Cups and glasses plus a kettle including tea and coffee.
The Sky Spa at Candeo Hotels Shimbashi
This is their little extra something and it is by far not little. Candeo hotels are known for their Sky Spa – a rooftop indoor and outdoor onsen with a sauna. Open overnight between 3 pm to 11 am the next day. These hot baths are glorious after a day of exploring and walking around. It really helped me in getting a very sound sleep that evening – so good that I made sure to use it every night!
They have 2 pools, one indoor and the other with an outdoor roof which is lovely during winter. Like any other onsen, make sure to wash first before entering into the water. Keep in mind that this is a public bath, and no tattoos are allowed either. The amenities at the Sky Spa include lockers, a toilet, hairdryer, and makeup pads plus a water machine and weighing scales.
Make sure to use this perk as it is free to all Candeo Hotels Shimbashi customers.
*Please keep in mind that tattoos are not allowed in the Sky Spa, it is very much still in tradition with the rest of Japan. There are designated places around Japan that allow Tattoo in Onsens.
Extra Amenities at Candeo Hotels Shimbashi
Washing machine is available within the hotel next to the Sky Spa on the 12th floor. The detergent is included inside the machine and you need around about 300 yen to 600 yen.
There are different options between the weight of the clothes total and whether you want to wash and dry together. Otherwise, it’s an extra 100 yen for 30 mins drying.
The hotel is non-smoking, however, there is a designated smoking room available on the 12th floor. This is the norm in Japan where they have designated areas for smoking in public places.
Breakfast at Candeo Hotels Shimbashi
This trip to Tokyo was my very first trip here. I’m pleased to say Candeo hotels took my virginity in my first onsen experience and traditional Japanese Breakfast!
Their breakfast room is by the reception on the 11th floor. Set in a stylish modern setting with a city view – you are treated to a buffet-style breakfast complete with homemade tofu, smoked fish, delicious miso soup, fried rice with teriyaki chicken and aubergine stew.
You have to try natto for the first time, and Ochazuke which is rice and dashi broth with trimmings such as seaweed and sesame – it was delightful! Very light and flavourful.
Of course, breakfast also includes sausages, scrambled like eggs and butter and chocolate croissants which were incredibly soft and moorish. The star of the breakfast has to be the sweet omelet – just try it and taste it, it’s the best thing ever!
Price
Each type of room has different prices ranging between 100 to 250 pounds. The sizes of their room are arguably bigger than most rooms in Tokyo hotels. Children under 12 years of age are usually free to stay.
With a great location, comfortable room and a glorious Sky Spa – this was a great start to my holiday in Tokyo.
I wish I had more time to enjoy the hotel more. Their Sky Spa is truly a blessing every evening after visiting all the tourist spots and food recommendations.
I hope that this article has inspired you to visit Tokyo in particular to Shimbashi area and to stay at Candeo Hotels Shimbashi. If you have any questions or comments please share in the comments below.
Website: https://www.candeohotels.com/en/tokyo-shimbashi/
Address: 105-0004 Tokyo-to, Minatoku Shinbashi 3-6-8, Japan
Nearest station: Shimbashi Station (JR Line)
Courtney xx
If you are considering other CANDEO hotels locations, you may try the following locations:
- 8 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD STAY AT CANDEO HOTELS ROPPONGI TOKYO
- INDULGE & RELAX AT CANDEO HOTELS OSAKA NAMBA HOTEL (REVIEW)
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Sounds like a great place to stay. I would love the day beds!
This looks like a great hotel to stay in when visiting Tokyo. It’s definitely a huge plus that it is located close to so many attractions and I am so impressed with that generous breakfast spread! The rooms certainly look spacious and comfortable.
I love hotels in Japan! Small yes, but so awesome! What I love even more? Japanese hotel breakfasts – so good! My other favorite thing in Tokyo is looking out the window – the idea of a day bed by the window is pretty cool too!
I loved the ambiance and also the location of Candeo Hotel Shimbashi. The hotel provides Pyjamas are you joking but it must be great to wander here and there in those baggy and loose, and soft clothing. I must say all hotels should take inspiration from them. I too take out my shoes at the foyer of my room and wear those slippers provided by hotel, which is also Indian tradition too. I loved to know that Japan too had same tradition.
The Sky Spa would be my favorite place! The indoor pool looks so tranquil. Your photos are lovely!
This look so nice and right in the centre of things. I like the sky spa and day bed by the window. Breakfast buffet, too. Will check it out when in town 🙂
Great to hear that shoes are taken off before you get in the room. We’re used to that because we’re based in Turkey, and all houses etc provide slippers for you to wear in the house. Since moving there I don’t like the idea of staying in hotels where people have been wandering around the streets and then putting their feet up on tables etc. This is especially true for France where we are at the moment, where there is lots of dog poo on the streets.
What a lovely hotel! Yes,I know Japanese hotels provide house/ loo sandals and pajamas – so convenient, isn’t it? Also everything is so squeaky clean. That Sky Spa looks totally inviting!
It looks like a fantastic hotel. That breakfast buffet is huge! I was really hoping to visit Japan later this year, so it’s really interesting to read how the culture is different from the UK, just in hotels. Leaving your shoes in the foyer for example! Love the idea of the pyjamas too!
ahh I’m excited for you! Which cities are you planning to visit? haha yes, they provide slippers to change into for the room and wait till you experience the bathroom! The toilet is AMAZING! Wish we have those in the UK as standard ones *one hopes* haha. And at breakfast make sure to try the sweet egg omelette, it’s divine!
I love how the location of Candeo Hotel Shimbashi is near a lot of attractions. It’s great that there are lots of restaurants near the hotel as well. Location is one of the most important things that I consider when booking a hotel.
It really is, the subway is also only 5 minute walk too and there’s so many konbini (convenient shops) around too. Plus that Sky Spa is so lush! One random perk that I thought fascinated me was they have washing machines! I mean that will be so great esp in the summer when it’s super hot and sticky haha