Hotel New Grand
by the TopOfHotel team
Hotel New Grand is a historic hotel with stories that never run dry — on Yamashita Park since 1927, MacArthur's residence, and the birthplace of napolitan.
Hotel New Grand is a historic hotel with stories that never run dry — on Yamashita Park since 1927, MacArthur's residence, and the birthplace of napolitan.
In-Depth Review
Hotel New Grand first opened its doors in 1927, after the Great Kanto earthquake had destroyed nearly all of Yokohama. Czech architect J.H. Morgan designed it in Art Deco style with East Asian elements, and it became one of the most striking and storied hotel buildings in Japan. It scores 8.9/10 overall, with a location rating of 9.5/10 — the highest on this list. Reviewers praise the views and a sense of stepping back in time that's genuinely hard to find. This place is more than a room for the night — it's a piece of Yokohama's history you can walk into.
Rooms and decor
The 230 rooms split into two wings with clearly different personalities. The Historic Wing, in the original 1927 building, has vintage charm you can't get from a new hotel — marble stairs, high decorated ceilings and original polished wood floors — though the rooms run smaller, in keeping with their era. The Tower Wing, built in 1991, has wider, more modern rooms with better views, and works better for a longer stay. Pick the Historic Wing if you want the full period experience; pick the Tower Wing if modern comfort matters more. Reviewers praise both wings for cleanliness and upkeep.
Food and amenities
The four restaurants cover several styles from morning to late night. The most interesting is The Cafe, widely believed to be the birthplace of napolitan — the Japanese tomato-sauce spaghetti the hotel's chefs adapted from food US soldiers ate after WW2, and now one of Japan's most popular dishes. The MacArthur Suite, used by General Douglas MacArthur in 1945-1946, is kept almost exactly as it was. The breakfast buffet earns praise for its range and quality.
Location and getting there
This is the best base for Yamashita Park and Chinatown — just a 1-minute walk from Motomachi-Chukagai Station on the Minatomirai Line. Step out the front door and you're at Yamashita Park, a large bayside park that's popular for a morning walk, looking out over Yokohama Bay and the Hikawa Maru, a ship moored permanently as a museum. Chinatown is a 5-minute walk, the upscale Osanbashi Pier is close by, and the main Yokohama Station is 3 stops away on the Minatomirai Line.
Things to know before booking
Rooms in the Historic Wing are smaller and noticeably more dated than the Tower Wing — that's part of the trade for staying in a 1927 building. If you want a roomier, modern stay, book the Tower Wing, but you'll give up some of the historic character. And rates climb sharply during Yokohama events and Golden Week, so the entry price won't hold in peak weeks.
Our take
Hotel New Grand is the best fit for couples who want a historic, bayside Yokohama stay — the location, the history and the Art Deco mood add up to something a modern hotel can't replicate. Anyone interested in post-war Japanese history will leave with several stories to retell. Rates start around $120 a night, which is very fair for an experience at this level.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- The 1927 Art Deco building is the real draw — a grand staircase, high ceilings and period detailing you won't find in a modern hotel.
- It sits right on Yamashita Park facing Yokohama Bay, so the views hold up both by day and at night.
- The location is a 1-minute walk from Motomachi-Chukagai Station, and Chinatown is a short stroll from the door.
- There are four restaurants on site, including the cafe said to be the birthplace of Japanese napolitan spaghetti.
- It scores 8.9/10 overall, and its location rates 9.5/10 — the highest mark on this list.
- Rooms in the Historic Wing are noticeably smaller and more dated than those in the 1991 Tower Wing.
- Rates climb sharply during Yokohama events and Golden Week, so the entry price won't hold in peak weeks.
- If you want a modern, spacious room you'll need to book the Tower Wing, which means giving up some of the historic-building character.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Things to do near Yokohama
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Insider Tips
- Book the Historic Wing if you want the full period experience, or the Tower Wing if you'd rather have a larger, more modern room with better views.
- Walk straight out the front door into Yamashita Park in the early morning, then look out to the museum ship Hikawa Maru moored permanently on the bay.
- Eat napolitan at The Cafe — the tomato-sauce spaghetti the hotel's chefs created after WW2, now a Japanese staple.