Friendly staff, excellent location, free internet (if you brought your own laptop)!

The bathroom was bigger than I expected and my room faced the train tracks, but I barely heard the sound of passing trains. My mother is a light sleeper and even she said she couldn't hear the trains at night. The hotel is situated very near to the train station, and shops, department stores and a wide selection of restaurants are within walking distance.

Would definitely consider staying here again if I'm on a budget :)

I agree with other reviews in that the hotel is (obviously) unexpensive and very close to the station. For me, however, it was a nightmare because of the noise coming from the passing trains (and Ikebukuro is the 2nd busiest station in the world!).
I used the hotel just one night to rest from my intercontinental flight from Europe. It was handy to take the Narita Express train to IIkebukuro station (final stop, no brainer) and then walk 2 min. to the hotel....and try to take a nap.
My room was facing the rail tracks and despite how tired I was, it was impossible to sleep. Fortunately I brought with me ear plugs and I had to use them. I was at the 7th floor. I cannot imagine how noisy it may get at 2nd floor in a room similar to mine!
Think carefully, the hotel is cheap for a reason.

The hotel is not only very close to the station but also the shopping area. You will be able to find everything you expect to buy from good looking suit, gadget, music instrument, game, toy, 100 Yen store to many shopping malls for girls and ladies. If you feel hungry, you can grab a quick meal from AMPM at the hotel or walk to the station and get a bowl of ramen.

The hotel staffs are very helpful and speak English. They are willing to answer even your ridiculous questions. The twin room we stayed was alright. A bit small (same as any hotels in Tokyo) but fully equipped with everything you will ever needed.

this hotel is recommended as a middle class hotel for traveler who doesn't want to spend too much on luxurious hotel and save money for shopping...

Dai-Ichi was a great find ! We were surprised to find a very reasonably priced hotel in Tokyo, and the rooms were large, quiet & pleasant. Ikebukuro suburb is spread out over 2 sides of the JR train line, but the whole precinct is easily reached on foot from the hotel (via underpasses both beside & through the station).I took the recommendation of a fellow reviewer below & printed his directions from the station to the hotel (the hotel is very easy to get to, but a lot easier to locate with them - basically you leave via the east exit, turn left & immediately on your left is a side street which winds you round to the right behind the main street. The hotel is located straight ahead once you've followed the road round that corner). A choice of restaurants in the hotel be I can't comment on either as we didn't try them. A convenience store located at street level below the lobby was very handy !. Plenty of fresh food options were available in the station market hall, however for restaurants Ikebukuro East was a bit light on (a few sushi bars) and we had to walk about 8 minutes to Ikebukuro West for selection of restaurants (including indonesian, french, American fast food etc). Well connected for the airport, bullet train & sight seeing,just about everything is about 20 minutes by train.