Century Southern Tower Hotel

Elevator to Hotel Lobby

The first time I heard of the Century Southern Tower Hotel was when I was watching a Tokyo travel show called Tokyo Walker (流行東京) from Hong Kong.  I have watched a total of 40 episodes in season 1 and 14 episodes in season 2.   My interests for traveling to Tokyo are actually inspired by this show.  According to my experience, I can confirm this hotel really does have one of the best locations in the area but also a high price tag on it.  A major reason which drives my decision to stay in this hotel is its location and room size. Because I am traveling in a party of 3, lots of the Shinjuku hotels do not have rooms to accommodate parties of 3.  Room sizes for a typical Japan Hotel in the city region are generally small, some rooms only offer half a bath tub.  Century Southern Tower is a 4-star hotel owned by the Odakyu Group targeting international business travelers. Hotel staffs I have talked to while confirming my booking and checking in to the hotel all speak pretty good English.  I have booked the hotel through Expedia where there are discounted rates and still averaged out to around $200 CAD (tax included) per night (total of 6 nights) for a Twin Room with an additional bed.  Hotel rooms in Japan mostly accommodate 2 people per room and there are always extra charges for an additional person.  This hotel is highly rated in Trip Advisor and I did not regret paying a little extra to stay there because of the following reasons:

1) Excellent Location to Railway and subway lines

• It takes about 3 minutes walking from the Hotel's 2/F exit to the closest JR Railway entrance. (Of course you still need to walk from the entrance to whatever platform to board the train). 
• It only takes 1 to 2 minutes to walk from the Hotel's 1/F exit to one of the Toei Subway line entrance.

Local area around Century Southern Tower Hotel

2) Convenient Facilities

• There are lots of 24 hours convenient stores all over Shinjuku, there are 2 closest to this hotel.  One located in the lobby of the hotel (open until 11:00 p.m.).
  Food and drink prices there are similar to any of the convenient stores on the street.  Cool! No need to walk out to the heat to get some iced coffee.  If you need more varieties, Family Mart, a 24-hour chain-operated convenient store is also just 1 minute walk from the 1/F exit. 
• For those who are in need of our North America sweets and coffee, Krispy Kreme is just across the Hotel 2/F exit and Starbucks is steps away from Krispy Kreme.  I am not a big fan of Krispy Kreme, but almost all times when I passed by Krispy Kreme, I see a lineups outside the store even in extreme heat!!! I guess the Japanese really love Krispy Kreme. 
•  If you ever need more cash (who doesn’t?),  there is an ATM machine inside a Post Office located beside the Hotel.  Not all ATM machines in Japan take international debit cards, but this one does.



You probably wonder why there is nobody in the pictures. That is because the picture was taken at 6:00 a.m. in the morning while I am suffering from jet lag

Walkway to Takashimaya and Tokyu Hands

3)Food Shopping

In Shinjuku, shopping is everywhere but if you need to get some real good food within 5 minutes from the hotel, you will find them across from Takashimaya.  When stepped out of the hotel, there is a walkway which leads to Takashimaya (高島屋 タカシマヤ ) and Tokyu Hands. The whole basement floor of Takashimaya is FOOD.  It also has a supermarket there.  The are a ridiculous variety of food choices and they are so delicious that I have to repeat them as necessary.   Takashimaya also has a restaurant parks on the 13th floor.  There are lots of restaurants to choose if you wanted to stay away from dining in your hotel.  Takashimaya closes at 8:00 p.m., there are plenty of time even if I run over there around 7:30 to grab some late night snacks.  By the way, lots of cooked food items starts to go on sale around 7:00 to 7:30, deals are everywhere.  Get them while they last.

4) Spectacular View

Century Southern Tower Hotel is high above Shinjuku. The hotel lobby is located on the 20th floor, below are Microsoft offices.  The views from the hotel lobby are spectacular.  It gets better when I get to my room on the 30th floor.  Our view faces Takashimaya, when looking to the far right, I can see Tokyo Tower and looking to the far left is the busy Shinjuku shopping areas.  Looking down is the JR Railway.  Since we stayed there during the Firework festival, there are few nights where I can actually see Firework from my room.  I think there are also other room views which can see Mount Fuji, but I am happy with the view I got in my room.

Hotel Lobby

Shinjuku Shopping Areas

Night view with Tokyo Tower

Room sizes are decent and amenities are above average.  The cleaning staff did a great job.  I find the room  very clean everyday when I return to the hotel.  By the way, the toilet with washing/bidet function is great!

My room on the 30th floor

Room is equipped with a mini fridge (very usefully)

Japanese style hot water kettle, you can have hot water all the time to make tea and instant cup noodles

Full size bath tub

All sort of toiletries including tooth brush, tooth paste, head bands, combs, razors... etc

Toilet with bidet function

What is not available in this hotel are room services and luggage services.  However, with all the other convenient facilities around the hotel, that is not important for me.  Overall, I am very satisfied with this hotel and probably will stay here again the next time I visit Tokyo.  I highly recommended this hotel to those who are looking for an above average hotel with a convenient location in the Shinjuku area.

Reference Link:


Hotel Century Southern Tower
Takashimaya (Shinjuku)