I just stayed in the Ikebukuro Tokyu Stay and enjoyed it a lot. Just beware that Ikebukuro station is quite large, so if you take JR in, follow the exit towards the WEST entrance, towards the metro, and then exit C6 near the food court. Then go up the escalator, turn leftwards/counter clockwise at the exit and go down a block, turn right into a tiny street towards some bars, then left and look for the building...

As a newbie to Tokyo, I'd recommend the Sunroute Plaza in Shinjuku as easier to get around, plus "being in the middle of it all" which is a great plus for someone new and not having to get on a train to go somewhere lively/food.
Here's photo directions of how to get there and it is also serviced by the Limo Bus. http://gutereise09.blogspot.com/2008...juku-from.html

Both should be within your budget and have plenty of a/c. To compare the two, I'd say:
Sunroute Plaza has more bathroom toiletries like sponges and such. Very close to JR station for easy transport and close enough to department stores for food. Also a plus is its proximity to Den Tai Fong restaurant for xiao long bao (in Takashiyama Times Square) and having a Post Office ATM directly across the street.
Ikebukuro Tokyu Stay is less touristy, less frantic, and has a washer/dryer combo that definitely works! Microwave in room, included breakfast. But the Post Office is a bit harder to find and navigating the trek back at the end of a long day can be punishment on aching feet. Also has an air purifier in room and Japanese Febreeze.

Personally, I'd be happy to stay in a new Tokyu Stay again, but I'm used to getting lost in train stations by now ;) If the Tokyu Stay is about the same price or cheaper, I'd take the washing machine any day and spend extra splurging on an overnight to a Ryokan/Day Spa visit.

Hi Freecia/Ksandness & msb0b, thanks so much for the sharing of both the Ikebukuro Tokyu Stay and also the Sunroute Shinjuku. Both looks really good after i search through some review however the Sunroute is quite expensive, ard 13000 yen.

The Ikebukuro Tokyu Stay looks like a very good option. It's new according to the website just open in April and it's real cheap at 8000 yen. :)

My concern is the accessibility. Is it near the JR station and any shopping mall or restaurant neaby? I guess i will be visiting shunjuku, shibuya and roppongi at night as i would like to catch the world cup mactches, will it be convenient for me?

Thanks.

Here is the route map.
http://www.tokyustay.co.jp/e/hotel/IKE/

I bet there are at least 1,000 shops and restaurants within 10 minutes from the hotel.

Access/Environment
http://www.tokyustay.co.jp/e/hotel/IKE/access/

There are tons of stores and restaurants around Ikebukuro. It is a popular leisure destination for Tokyoites.

Ikebukuro station itself is a department store with Seibu, Parco and Tobu right above, and Bic Camera and Yamada Denki Lavi nearby. Most of them are on the east side, opposite from the west/north side that Tokyu Stay is at. Tokyu Hands and Sunshine City are a bit farther away.

Plenty of restaurants serving all kinds of cuisines on 7F and 8F of Parco. Around 1500 yen pp and up. Sunshine City also has many restaurants as well. For more economical options, check the alleyways on both sides of the station.

Very convenient. Ikebukuro is just 4 stops north of Shinjuku on the Yamanote line.

The Tokyu Stay in Ikebukuro is convenient but not on the same side as the Yamada Denki/Labi. It is easy to hop on Fukutoshin, newest metro line down to Shibuya http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo_M...ukutoshin_Line

Here's the Tokyo Metro portion of the Ikebukuro station map. Exit c6 to the fukutoshin line is close by Tokyo standards
http://www.tokyometro.jp/rosen/eki/i..._rittai_1.html
More Ikebukuro station maps here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikebuku...External_links

Orbitz also has coupons stackable with its periodic sale for the Shinjuku Sunroute Plaza, I think. I'd book the Tokyu Stay and leisurely check the Sunroute on Expedia and Orbitz to see if there's a great deal. The Shinjuku location could save you some on daily train/subway fare.

Hi all,

I have make up my mind to book a hotel with tokyu stay after all the good feedback given. thanks so much guys.

Before i proceed with the booking, there's 2 tokyu stay location that's quite good, and newly open, one is Ikebukuro as mentioned and also the one an Nishi-Shinjuku.

Just wondering why the Nishi-Shinjuku Tokyu stay is not that highly recommended? is it far from the JR Station? thanks.

One last question, i checked at the access/environment page from the Tokyu Stay Ikebukuro website, but i dont really understand it, i plan to take the Suica-Nex deal from Narita airport to Ikebukuro. that means i will stop at the below station? sorry for being a noob.

-4 minutes on foot from the west exit of JR Yamamoto Line Ikebukuro Station

Yes, as I have said in post #14, the property is about 20-25 minutes walk from JR Shinjuku station. I think the 15 minute given on the access page is way too optimistic, especially if you have luggage. If you are going to this hotel, it's better to transfer to Oedo subway line at Shinjuku station.

Yes, Narita Express stops at the JR Ikebukuro Station. It's also served by Yamanote, Saikyo and Shonan Shinjuku lines. The underground Ikebukuro station complex is an expansive shopping mall, so don't get lost. Know your exit and keep eyes open for signs. The exits C1/C6 for Tokyu Stay is near Echika. If you somehow end up near Ikebukuro Shopping Park (ISP), you are on the wrong side of the station.

Don't worry, there's no such thing as a stupid question. ;)

Noted and thanks so much bro!