Yokohama Bay Sheraton Hotel & Towers

The Yokohama Bay Sheraton Hotel & Towers, a Marriott property, has held its spot for years as the most convenient 5-star in Yokohama. The advantage rivals can't match is the link straight into JR Yokohama Station by sky bridge and a ground-floor walkway — whether it's pouring rain or bitter cold, you reach the trains without stepping into open air for a single stride. It scores 8.6/10 on real reviews, with location often the highest-rated mark of any Yokohama hotel. This is the pick for business travellers and anyone who puts transit connections first.

Rooms and decor

The 348 rooms run in classic Sheraton style — comfortable and timeless rather than flashy — across Standard, Club and Suite categories. Reviews keep coming back to the beds and the Sheraton Signature Sleep linens, a detail guests mention often, and rooms run fairly roomy by the standard for city hotels in Japan. That said, some reviews note the decor is starting to show its age; the hotel has run for years without a major renovation. The upper-floor Sheraton Club is the highlight for Club Room guests, with a large lounge, a special breakfast, afternoon snacks and an evening cocktail hour set against Yokohama Bay.

Food and amenities

Seven restaurants in the building mean you never have to head out if you don't want to — Japanese, international, a bar, and a breakfast buffet that draws steady praise. The indoor pool runs through the day, the fitness room is fully kitted, and the spa offers a range of massages and treatments. Room service runs 24 hours, free high-speed Wi-Fi covers the building, staff speak good English, and you earn Marriott Bonvoy points on every dollar you spend.

Location and getting there

This is the best location in Yokohama for getting around — a sky bridge links it straight into JR Yokohama Station in under a minute. The station gathers several JR lines, the Minatomirai Line and the Yokohama Municipal Subway in one spot. The JR Tokaido Line reaches Tokyo and Shinjuku in 30 minutes, and the Minatomirai Line runs easily to Cosmo World, Chinatown and Yamashita Park. Around the station sit big malls like Sogo and JOINUS plus over a hundred restaurants.

Things to know before booking

This is the priciest hotel in Yokohama, with standard rooms from around $170 a night and suites running toward $510 — higher than the rest of the field. Parts of the decor are dated, and a share of reviews feel the room you get doesn't justify the rate. If you've banked plenty of Marriott points, though, redeeming here is well worth it. For Golden Week and Obon, book at least 3 months ahead.

Our take

The Yokohama Bay Sheraton suits business travellers who move often and want the most convenient station link, and after them families with young kids or older relatives who'd rather not trek out into the open. Rooms start at $170 a night, above the other hotels here, but for anyone sitting on a pile of Marriott points it's a strong free-night redemption. Come with realistic expectations on the decor and you're paying for the one thing no rival has: the station, right there.