Stay at this hotel to enjoy cherry blossoms in Japan!
Yokohama Bay Sheraton Hotel and Towers
Membership Level: Platinum Card
Finally saw the cherry blossoms this season! The cherry blossoms in Yokohama are in full bloom, and it feels great to stroll along the Ooka River. The flowers bloomed slightly later than usual this year.
It takes about 25 minutes from Haneda Airport to Yokohama Station by KK Line. The Sheraton is just across the walkway from the west exit of Yokohama Station, and you can also reach the walkway from the second floor of Takashimaya. However, you need to go down to the first floor to check in after entering the hotel. We happened to catch the Hokkaido specialty buffet promotion at the hotel, and the food was really good. The hotel also offers Chinese cuisine, Japanese cuisine, teppanyaki, and more, with plenty of choices.
The room is on the 23rd floor, with a view of Yokohama Station and the bay in the distance. There are two double rooms, one with a separate shower and bathtub, and the other with a combined bathtub and shower. The amenities box is well-stocked, with everything from makeup remover to moisturizer. The lounge dinner has three time slots that need to be reserved in advance.
The room lighting is well-arranged and easy to control, the curtains have good blackout effects, and the bathroom has strong hot water. There is also a dedicated ice machine room in the corridor.
The hotel's buffet restaurant is promoting Hokkaido specialties, with each person getting four steamed large oysters and a plate of snow crab legs, which are really delicious and very fresh. Additionally, you can add as much seafood rice as you like, and there are many types of ice cream, including a milk popsicle directly delivered from Yokohama Ranch that is worth trying. The dining time is 90 minutes, and you will be given a list to order from.
The breakfast options are average, at the normal hotel level. We didn't try the lounge dinner as there are many dining options around the hotel. There are many choices at Yokohama Station's underground B3 and Takashimaya, although it gets very crowded on weekend evenings.
The hotel's location needs no further explanation. It takes 30 minutes from Yokohama Station to Ueno in Tokyo, 30 minutes to Minami-Senju (make sure to check if it's a local train, or it might take an hour), and 25 minutes to Kamakura. There are always taxis waiting in line at the entrance. The cafe in the lobby is often full. The hotel facilities have a sense of age but are well-maintained, giving a feeling of timeless solidity rather than outdatedness.
During cherry blossom season, the cost-performance ratio of Japanese hotels is not worth discussing. Seeing the beautiful scenery is worth it; if not, hope for another chance next time. There are supermarkets in B2 of Yokohama Station and the basement of Takashimaya, offering a wide variety of choices. It's about a 7-8 minute walk to Don Quijote. The buses in front of Yokohama Station are also very convenient. This time's off-peak cherry blossom viewing mission is complete. See you next time, Yokohama Sheraton.