I've stayed at this hotel for 4 nights in April 2008. Hotel is very old (although lobby seems to be refreshed quite recently), rooms are very simply decorated with outdated furniture, bathroom appliances are also coming from the 70s. As a frequent business traveller, I have stayed in a number of international chain hotels throughout the Asia (Thailand, China, Hong Kong, and Singapore)- I would say that this hotel is about the same level as a moderate, rather old, 3-4* hotel (like Holiday Inn or Ramada) in Shanghai or Beijing, for a price of Ritz Carlton in Shanghai. Bed is not as comfortable as one would expect from a 5 star property, towels are very thin, shower was weak in my room and very simple slippers are ok for a petite lady's feet (my shoe size is an american 6 and slippers were ok for me).

We booked our trip to Japan through a Japanese travel agency and this hotel was part of the package deal. It is a good location in that it is near the Shinjuku station, which is one of the major subway and JR line stops. There is also a free shuttle to and from the station, which helped (though the walk isn't bad).

The hotel seems a litle nicer than your standard Hilton hotels in the US. We stayed here twice - a few days when we arrived and then a few days before we headed home. Service was great and we used the concierge service numerous times to find good restaurants around the area. It's a hit and miss with staff speaking English, although for the most part they understood us.

We only ate breakfast at the hotel, which was a Japanese and Western style buffet that was excellent. However, we skipped eating restaurants on the second floor as they were a bit pricey.

If Tokyo is the only city you're visiting I'd probably recommend a different hotel as Shinjuku is a business district and pretty quiet at night unless you hang out at the station (the shuttle service ends around 9:30PM). If Tokyo is one of many cities on your agenda, I thought this was a great choice. Only downside is the JR to Kyoto/Osaka leaves from Tokyo station, so you have to change stations if you venture west. I strongly recomend getting the JR pass if you do so.

According to my passport, I have stayed in this hotel 23 times in the past eight years. I have been coming to Tokyo regularly on business during this time and I thought it might be useful to write a review based aimed at this type of traveller rather than a tourist.
I have always stayed on an executive floor and made use of the lounge facilities. As a diamond member of the Hilton Honors program, I was surprised at first to find that room upgrades do not tend to feature in the Hilton asian region. However, the room gifts are very generous and you can expect to find a bottle of wine (very expensive here), some chocolates and fresh fruit upon arrival.
The service is, of course, excellent. It starts as you arrive at the main doors where the Doorman (or more likely woman) greets you. If you are staying on the executive floor, you are taken straight to the dedicated check-in on 34. The staff there have remained constant over the past eight years and are excellent at their jobs. A swift check-in will take you to your room. The doubles are small by western standards and if you can afford it, a junior executive suite does give more reasonable space, especially if you are going to be resident for a few days.
Following a major upgrade last year, the rooms are very well decorated in a "fusion" style with both good work and relaxation areas as well as the comfortable bed. All executive rooms have flatscreen tv's and DVD players.
The views from this level are magnificent and if you are at the "back" of the hotel you can often see Fuji in the distance - but look early in the morning because the mountain tends to cloud up later in the day.
Wireless broadband is available at no cost if you are a diamond member and there is a business centre on the lobby floor just past the Abiste concession.
Room service is comprehensive and served perfectly but be prepared to pay very high prices. A three course set meal with a glass of wine will cost about £80 and most westerners will still be hungry and possibly thirsty afterwards.
There are eight restaurants in the hotel ranging from classical Japanese and Chinese through to Michelin French and a brazzerie.
A note for first time Brits...the Chinese food is nothing like our Chinese food so be prepared to be adventurous!
Apart from the Brazzerie, Chequers, the cost is in line with Tokyo restaurants. If you are entertaining, be prepared for £100 to £130 per head.
For relaxing in the evening, executive floor members have access to the lounge where drinks are served free.from about 6pm for an hour. Given the incredibly high price of wine, this is a very good perk although you have already paid for it in your higher room tarrif.
St Georges bar in the lobby has free access for executive club members and normally has some form of entertainment from either Austrailian or British groups. Those of you who have seen Lost in Translation with Scarlett Johannsen and Bill Murray will know the type.
Breakfast is served in the executive lounge and is again very good.
As an executive floor member, one also has free access to the health club and swimming pool. A couple of cultural tips here...in the pool it is normal to wear a (supplied) cap. If you decide to take a bath, then read up on the procedure first. Google "Japanese Bath Procedeure" for some examples.
ln the basement, one can find a newsagent selling western books and little knick-knack souvenirs. Also a few restaraunts cheaper than the main hotel including a very good Indian. There is a womens hairstylist and an excellent Gentlemen's barber in the finest tradition with many other services such as back massage, wet shave and manicure. After a twelve hour flight from the UK and the journey from Narita, this is always my first port of call to start getting over the inevitable west/east jet lag. If gently prompted, the proprietor will happily show you photos of him and the current and former Prime Ministers of Japan, both of whom are customers.
Overall, The Hilton Shinjuki is expensive but gives value for money. The service is always warmly given and any attempt at tipping is gently refused.
It is a perfect place to stay if in Tokyo for business.

Stayed at the deluxe room on the 15th floor, for a night on Mar 27 2008

Location:
• 10 mins walk to Shinjuku Station or take the Hilton Shuttle Bus at Bus Bay 20, outside Keio Department Store
• Located next to Hyatt, and Hyatt is located next to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

Lobby/Front Desk/Concierge
• Modern, Updated & Efficient, with the Marble Lounge well-sighted on the right.
• Front Desk is business-like & efficient
• The concierge desk is perpetually busy but extremely efficient. I needed a hair-cut badly and the concierge recommended me Courreges Beaute Salon and helped me with the reservations. I loved the cut!

Room
• Plush & comfortable beds
• Décor is modern Japanese but somewhat dated feel.
• Broadband Access
• Huge LCD TV
• Evelyn & Crabtree toiletries

For a Hilton, I had higher expectations. The hotel is clearly dated, with the lobby renovated from a modern new look (but can spot the tell-tale signs of an old hotel). Rooms, at least for the deluxe, needs upgrading.