Beautiful Hotel, but an Ambiguous Identity
TRUNK Hotel is a beautiful, modern property located in the heart of Shinjuku. But did I really feel like I was staying in Japan?
By the time we arrived at TRUNK, it was the eighth hotel we had stayed in during our trip in Japan. We had grown accustomed to certain amenities and standards, such as bathtubs, vending machines, coin laundry facilities, and onsens. TRUNK offered none of these.
Yes, we enjoyed the balcony—a small luxury in this part of the city—but I could have been eating my avocado toast at a hotel anywhere in the world.
While the hotel was clean, stylish, and staffed by helpful and kind employees, it lacked a sense of place. It didn’t feel distinctly Japanese and, in many ways, lacked the personality that can be found in so many other hotels throughout the country.
If you’re missing the comforts of home, TRUNK may be the perfect choice. But if you’re looking to experience Japan, I would recommend staying elsewhere.