In Tokyo, I wanted to try different levels of hotels, so after sleeping in a capsule hotel and budget chain APA hotels, I was looking for a bit more quality accommodation.

I love busy iconic places, so I was looking for a hotel with a view of the world famous Shibuya intersection.

And the only hotel that offers rooms with guaranteed views of the scramble crossing of Shibuya is Indigo.

I didn't find out what the reality was until I got there.

Reservation and price

Indigo is a member of the IHG group, but you can book a room through booking.com for virtually the same price.

The problem with Booking, however, is that you don't know exactly what room you're booking, whereas with the IHG website you can just pick a room with a view of the Shibuya intersection.

I end up spending only 1 night here, for which I pay 72 300 jpy including breakfast.

That's a rather average price for a 5* hotel in Tokyo, nothing special.

• 👉 Book your stay on booking.com
• 👉 Book your stay on IHG.com

Location and check-in

Hotel Indigo is housed in a tall building about 350 meters from the Shibuya intersection.

However, just stepping out of the subway station, I'm already wondering how good a view I can have of this iconic intersection.

The building really isn't even close to the intersection, and when I'm standing at the pedestrian crossing, I can barely even see it. Strange. We'll see.

The main entrance to the hotel is in a side alley, while the alternate entrance is from the street level through the lobby of the mall.

Reception is located up on the 12th floor.

I arrive at the hotel around 10:00am, but check-in is strictly at 3:00pm as it is in the vast majority of hotels in Tokyo.

I leave my luggage for free at the front desk and go to Yoyogi Park to see the sacred Kiyomasa Well and Meiji Shrine.

I return at 3:30pm and go to my room.

Check-in is very quick, I just show my passport and get my room card. The process doesn't even take 3 minutes. Plus I get a small welcome-drink in the form of fruit juice.

I am intrigued by the interesting design of the carpets in the corridors, the pattern of which is reminiscent of the main entrance to the building.

Cozy room, but where is the view of Shibuya?!

At first glance, the room looks more like a modern but very tastefully and beautifully furnished apartment.

It's like being in someone's home. I really like this style!

The airy feeling is created by the floor-to-ceiling windows on two sides - I have a corner room. Honestly one of the nicest in a while!

I go to the window, but no matter how hard I look, I can't see the Shibuya intersection.

I see. Only 10x zoom on my phone will help...

As beautiful as the room is, this is a big disappointment. I booked Hotel Indigo precisely because it's the only one with a confirmed view of the Shibuya scramble crossing. But with the naked eye, you can barely even focus on it.

In the dark, Shibuya crossing looks like this from the room:

But aside from not being able to see Shibuya, the views of Tokyo are really cool!

Since the Tokyo skyline glows all night, I'm a little worried about how dark the room will be. All the windows have both a sun shade and a 100% black-out blind, so the room is completely dark during the night.

Comfort above all

It can't be helped, there are worse things in the world.

My opinion of the hotel is pretty much fixed by the bed. I can say with a clear conscience that I have never experienced a more comfortable hotel bed in my travels!

I slept just great.

And overall the room is very comfortable.

There's a sofa with a small armchair and a small desk (however, it lacks a comfortable desk for working on the computer) and most importantly, plenty of storage and wardrobes.

Other room amenities include:

• 2 free bottles of water (1 litre)
• Coffee maker
• Electric kettle
• Paid minibar
• Slippers
• Bathrobes
• Climbing scale
• Glasses
• Safe
• Iron

Outlets including USB-A and USB-C connectors are both at the bedside and on the counter with the coffee maker. The only thing that bothers me a bit is the climate control located only in the entryway and not right by the bed.

The bathroom is unusually spacious by Japanese standards.

The toilet is separated by a door from the rest of the bathroom, as is the shower and bathtub. Everything is, of course, spotlessly clean and perfectly functional.

In the bathroom you can use for free, for example, the following things:

• A razor for shaving (but no shaving foam)
• Toothbrush with toothpaste
• A comb
• Cotton buds for cleaning ears
• Hair dryer

Fantastic breakfast

In the morning, I get up around 7:00am and go to the hotel restaurant, located one floor below the reception, for breakfast.

The restaurant is very spacious, so there is no problem finding a seat even at busy times.

The breakfast is perfect for me and is a combination of a la carte and extensive buffet.

The buffet selection is very varied and the individual dishes on the menu are good quality and tasty.

I may have experienced even more extensive buffet offerings, but the diverse mix and great taste of everything really impressed me at Hotel Indigo Shibuya.

I would particularly recommend the great sweet canapés and chocolate desserts, which I still remember now.

Hotel restaurants, bars and cafes

Right at the hotel, you can enjoy standard dining options in addition to breakfast.

The Gallery 11 restaurant and bar is located on the 11th floor, in the same room where breakfast is held.

I was particularly impressed by the beautiful outdoor terrace with its divine views of Tokyo.

I was pretty full from the restaurants outside the hotel, so I just went for a drink at a local bar in the evening.

• 🍜 My top 5 Tokyo restaurants I visited

Prices for alcoholic cocktails range between 1 800 jpy and 2 200 jpy.

The ambiance of Gallery 11 restaurant itself is very nice and like the room, I find it cozy and comfortable.

Other hotel services

There is a nice modern but very small fitness center on the floor where the reception is located. It's already crowded with 3 people in attendance. It is open 24/7.

Of course, you can have your laundry done.

The so-called Laundry Service works simply. You put your dirty clothes in a special bag in your room, the cleaning service picks them up and usually returns them to your room washed by the next day.

Prices are relatively high - for example, you can pay 1 000 jpy for a T-shirt.

Conclusion - disappointment and excitement at the same time

I booked my stay at Hotel Indigo Shibuya mainly because of the guaranteed view of Shibuya Junction.

I did technically get that, but hand on heart, I really imagined it very differently. You need binoculars to see Shibuya.

On the other hand, Hotel Indigo really surprised me very pleasantly in all other aspects.

It's exactly my style. Cozy, unpretentious luxury with a great breakfast and the most comfortable bed I've ever had in a hotel.

So if you don't need to have a view of Shibuya, I can definitely recommend this hotel.

• 👉 Book your stay on booking.com
• 👉 Book your stay on IHG.com