The Nishitetsu Inn Shinjuku is all business, and not just in the corporate sense. The sparse no-nonsense facilities are for travelers looking for basic conveniences, not atmosphere or amenities such as a lobby bar or fitness center. There's a Saint Marc Cafe (a coffee chain that's akin to Starbucks) near the entrance, and a Japanese-style bar and restaurant. The reception desk occupies a full wall of a wide triangular space, with polished stone walls and floors. Chairs are lined up along a curtained wall, with an additional lounge area opposite a bank of three elevators. However, as mentioned, this isn't exactly the kind of place travelers will linger and pass the time. Given its range of Single Rooms, the hotel is especially popular with solo travelers, couples, and short-term business travelers.

The hotel is located on busy Ome Highway, surrounded by office buildings. There are plenty of restaurants in the area, and it’s about a 10-minute walk to the massive Shinjuku Station, which connects to sights throughout Tokyo, including the famous Shibuya Crossing (20 minutes away) and the Imperial Palace (40 minutes). Tokyo’s largest entertainment area, Kabukicho, which includes the red-light district, is about a 12-minute walk from the hotel. The massive Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, which offers an amazing view of the city, is a nine-minute walk away -- entry is free. Haneda Airport is about a 30-minute drive away, or a 45-minute train trip, while Narita International Airport is a 70-minute drive from the hotel, depending on traffic. Alternatively, it's about the same amount of time to reach Narita by high-speed train.

The 302 rooms at Nishitetsu Inn Shinjuku come in a range of categories, but the differences are minimal. They all have the same decor: somewhat dated chain furnishings with textured carpets in neutral beige tones, a lack of wall art, and blonde wood-veneer furniture. All have small desks and chairs, along with mini-fridges, trouser and shirt presses, flat-screen TVs, and small windows that open. Relax Rooms add foot massagers, and some also have massage chairs. Perhaps the most significant differences are in the women-only rooms, which add floral fabrics to the color scheme. These rooms are on their own floors with their own coin-operated laundry and vending machines, and key cards. Bathrooms have prefabricated sinks and shower/tub combos, along with electronic toilets. But more attention could be paid to cleanliness. When Oyster visited, some bathrooms had stale, musky odors, and mold between the tiles, and in one case, mold was spotted along the mini-fridge insulation. Temperature controls are on an old bedside panel, and are rudimentary. Rooms do pick up traffic noise, especially when the windows are open.

The hotel is no frills, and the features match that ethos. Sparse amenities include vending machines on almost every floor and coin-operated laundry rooms. The lobby has a business corner (standing room only) with a pair of computers and a printer. There's an unaffiliated buffet restaurant in the basement, which serves a Japanese-style breakfast buffet (for a fee), and there's a chain cafe near the lobby. Wi-Fi is free throughout.