Hotel Balian Resort Shinjuku Honten

As a retired couple from Australia, this was our first ever Japanese hotel stay. We were very happy with our choice. Check in was smooth, with the staff both helpful and friendly. When language was an issue, Google Translate worked a treat both ways. Our room was well-equipped and comfortable. Great Wi-Fi, very large TV and a very efficient air conditioner. The supplied products (shampoos, moisturisers, etc) were numerous, very generous and of excellent quality. The provided free facilities in the lobby were also very generous, and included coffee, cold drinks and snacks. The included breakfast was simply amazing. We had the #3 which we enjoyed immensely. On the two days that we were there, we definitely weren’t looking for lunch afterwards! Would highly recommend.

Honestly, this is a wonderful boutique-style hotel. I stayed here with my partner and his parents. I knew when I booked it that it was an adults-only hotel; I didn't quite realize it was also an hourly-rated hotel (adult-only doesn't mean love hotel, so there was a bit of miscommunication). Yes, rooms can be rented for a few hours at a time here. However, the hotel is very clean and respectful, and there were many other tourists staying here for regular stays. There are only a few small clues that things are slightly different from a typical hotel, like young couples coming in for short stays in the evening, which is only noticeable if you're hanging out in the lobby. Sometimes, a couple might be, well, loud. The rooms are not soundproof from the hallway. However, from a hotel standpoint, the rooms are adorably decorated to match the theme, there are many great toiletries available (rooms have eight different soaps and washes, for example), and there's a large selection in the lobby. There are some small snacks and bites to eat all day long in the lobby. We couldn't have been happier with the stay, despite a bit of awkwardness when we first arrived! My parents are a bit more conservative, so they felt out of place. We arrived (before check-in hour) and our rooms weren’t ready, so we watched couples coming in and out of the hotel. Without too much trouble, they figured out it was also an hourly hotel, which might give an "ick" feeling. But once we saw the rooms and other regular over night guests, we realized it was a respectable and lovely place to stay. If we hadn't sat in the lobby a few hours waiting to check-in (check-in isn't until 8pm at night), we wouldn't have known what was going on (other than the occasional love noise from the hallway which can occur at any hotel!)

Be careful with the prices. The rates you see at the entrance are not the real final price if you stay for 24 hours. For example, a “15,800 yen standard room” magically becomes almost 30,000 yen once you check in. So don’t be surprised — the 24-hour option is basically double. Now, about the hotel itself: This is not a place for families, tourists looking for rest, or anyone hoping for a quiet night. This is very clearly a love hotel, designed for short visits, quick stays, and… let’s just say “adult purposes.” The walls are incredibly thin — you hear everything. And I mean everything. On top of that, the cleaning staff works non-stop, 24/7. So at 1 a.m., 2 a.m., 3 a.m., you’ll hear doors opening, carts moving, rooms being turned over constantly so the next guests can come and go. Between the constant noise, the extremely thin walls, and the non-stop room turnover, it becomes a very uncomfortable environment if what you want is simply to sleep. In summary: Great if you’re here for the “intended purpose” of the hotel. Absolutely not recommended for anyone looking for actual rest, privacy, or a peaceful night.

Bali themed love hotel. It's much less inconspicuous and less discreet as actual real love hotels where usually have non human self check-ins and personal parking space to room, double doors for complete discreet food room service delivery, so discreet that you will never really see other guests and they will never see you. So BaliAn glamping is more like a half love hotel with actual human check-in/out, no discreet separation doors/screens. If you are okay with that, then read on, it's quite a decent hotel. Also with that said, we did see older Japanese men with substantially younger attractive Japanese ladies visit, so it is still a love hotel. Gazillion of shampoos, conditioners, body baths, bubble baths, bath additives, face moisturizers, bath salts, mouth rinses, many food choices you can order from the TV or call them, perfect for the lovers after romp to reenergize and look even better before they came in, or it can totally be a girls night out with lots of body, face self spa card, hot tub and giggles. Free soups, free drinks, free red and white wine, free beer, free pop, free small cakes, free dessert, free pumpkin chocolate fondue, free nuts, snacks, free... Lots of things. Note, please do not loot, just take what you need to use during your stay and enjoy. TV has lots of adult videos of various categories, variety shows are also sex orientated and there are just also normal movies to watch including pretty new movies. Overall, would stay again but would also like to try other BaliAn franchises.