Daiichi Inn Ikebukuro

The hotel is highly regarded for its unbeatable location just a few minutes' walk from Ikebukuro Station, making it an ideal base for exploring Tokyo. Its strategic position provides excellent value for sightseers, families, and business travelers seeking convenient access to major transport lines, shopping districts, and dining options. Despite being described as a bit dated, guests consistently praise its overall cleanliness and well-maintained condition. The hotel offers a practical and affordable stay, particularly for larger groups, with many rooms designed to comfortably accommodate multiple guests. To enhance your experience, consider familiarizing yourself with the various Ikebukuro Station exits to navigate the area efficiently, and take full advantage of the convenient on-site convenience store for quick needs.

Facilities & Amenities
Guests frequently highlight the extreme convenience of the Family Mart located directly on the ground floor, offering easy access to snacks and essentials. The hotel features two elevators that guests report are always readily available, ensuring smooth movement throughout the building. For guest comfort, rooms are equipped with a mini fridge, electrical kettle, hairdryer, and an air purifier, with some also including a humidifier. A selection of self-serve amenities like toothbrushes and combs are available in the lobby. While the hotel does not offer onsite laundry facilities, a coin laundry is conveniently located nearby. A microwave is also available in the lobby for guest use. Most guests found the free Wi-Fi generally reliable, though some noted occasional instability.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
The hotel generally receives praise for its cleanliness and overall well-maintained condition, despite its older appearance. Rooms are often described as spacious for Tokyo standards, particularly the family rooms which can comfortably accommodate multiple guests and allow for opening several suitcases. Guests appreciate the comfortable beds and excellent water pressure in the showers, ensuring a restful stay. However, feedback on bed comfort is mixed, with some finding them soft and others noting they felt old. While many found the bathroom size adequate, some described them as small, dim, or lacking proper ventilation, with a few isolated reports of minor issues like rust or unpleasant odors. Train noise from the nearby tracks is a common observation, especially on lower or track-facing floors, though many guests found it acceptable or even soothing, while light sleepers might find it disruptive. Some also noted street noise and thin walls, leading to occasional disturbances from neighboring rooms or the hallway.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel features an onsite restaurant that primarily serves a buffet breakfast. Guests generally find the breakfast to be simple yet delicious, offering a mix of continental and Japanese options. While some reviews mention a limited breakfast variety with certain items repeating daily, the food is consistently refilled, even close to closing time. The convenience of the Family Mart on the ground floor is frequently highlighted for quick meals and snacks. Additionally, the hotel's proximity to a 24-hour Ichiran Ramen and numerous other restaurants in the surrounding area ensures guests have a wide array of dining choices readily available throughout their stay.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's central location is its most celebrated feature, situated just a short walk, typically 3-5 minutes, from Ikebukuro Station. This prime spot offers unparalleled accessibility to major JR and subway lines, connecting guests effortlessly to all parts of Tokyo. The surrounding area is a vibrant hub, teeming with shopping opportunities, including large department stores like Parco and Seibu, as well as popular spots like Don Quijote and various anime shops. A vast selection of restaurants is also within easy reach. The hotel provides convenient luggage storage for early arrivals or late departures. While the area is bustling, it is generally considered safe. Guests also appreciate the direct and affordable airport bus access from nearby stops. However, some guests noted that the single escalator leading to the lobby can be inconvenient with luggage as its direction changes, though staff are usually helpful in adjusting it. A few also mentioned the lack of a direct elevator to the ground floor as a minor inconvenience for those with mobility issues.

Staff & Service
The hotel staff consistently receive high praise for their friendly and helpful demeanor. Guests frequently commend their politeness and willingness to assist with various requests, contributing significantly to a positive experience. The quick check-in process, often facilitated by self-service machines, is appreciated. Staff are particularly noted for their attentive service in handling luggage storage, even for guests leaving Tokyo for a few days. While some guests found English communication with staff to be occasionally challenging, requiring the use of translation apps, many others reported that staff spoke English well enough to be very effective. Specific instances of exceptional service include offering hand towels to rain-soaked guests and assisting with medical emergencies, demonstrating a strong commitment to guest well-being.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware that while the hotel is generally well-maintained, its overall dated appearance reflects an 80s aesthetic. Despite this, the hotel provides thoughtful touches such as complimentary water bottles replenished daily in the rooms. A recurring point of feedback is the absence of onsite laundry facilities, requiring guests to use nearby coin laundromats. Some rooms offer limited in-room storage, with few dressers or closets, primarily relying on wall hooks. Guests occasionally report unstable Wi-Fi connections that may require frequent re-logging. Due to the hotel's proximity to the train tracks and the commercial area, thin walls can sometimes lead to audible noise from neighboring rooms or the hallway. A few guests also noted the presence of smokers congregating outside the hotel entrance, which can occasionally affect the immediate vicinity.