InterContinental Yokohama Grand

A cheaper alternative to staying in Tokyo. The hotel is 5 star and approx 30% cheaper than the Intercontinentals in Tokyo. Easy access to Tokyo and Haneda airport by train and many restaurants in the area. Highly recommended.

I’ve stayed here twice for about two weeks each stay. It’s great place to stay and a Japanese landmark to book. The city side views are great, looking over the adjacent amusement park and the city at large. Accommodations are very comfortable, and very close to transportation (including the fantastic Sea Bass Ferry!), shopping, and dining from fast food to five-​star.

This hotel have very nice hospitality. Only thing can improve is to allow ambassador check in at the lobby instead of going to the 28^th floor to check in.
There isn’t much TV channel if your a foreigner. 98% is all Japanese channels. Even the history channel is in Japanese.
It has a pretty good view of the Yokohama Bay and the hotel is pretty big compared to other Japanese hotel.

THE.BEST.HOTEL.I.HAVE.EVER.STAYED.IN (as of 4÷9÷2014)
Upon hearing that I was to spend my spring break in Japan, the No1DP hastily made plans for that week. Unfortunately, he didn’t realize that I would come in during Hanami (spring cherry blossom viewing) and as a result the hotels in Tokyo were booked SOLID. He had an alternative plan and he wonders why he hasn’t thought of it before. Being a tease, he refrains from telling me any more info until the day before.
No1DP: We’re going to Yokohama and staying at the InterContinental Grand. It’s where foreign dignitaries stay when they go to Yokohama.
Me: 0₀
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CHECK-​IN: Staff opened doors for us and bowed. People bowed to us as they also passed us by. As an American and a guest, I thought it was kinda cute.
It turns out that for people who are staying at certain rooms, there is a separate check-​in area on floor 28. The area is this really nice lounge where there’s a desk, followed by the actual lounge where complimentary breakfast and happy hour are served (for the people actually staying in those floors). Per Japanese custom I waited as the No1DP talked with the staff about their upsells.
LOUNGE: Aside from the room, one of the best experiences I’ve had at the hotel. The lounge has excellent views of Tokyo Bay and Cosmo Clock 21 (the ferris wheel). Seats were quite posh.
The lounge has a good selection of hot drinks INCLUDING A NESPRESSO MACHINE. This is a amenity that I’ve never seen in a US hotel and I only partake in Nescafe machines if I’m shopping. The complimentary chocolates and pastries were wonderful as I looked at the view.
As I’ve stated before, for those staying at certain floors you can have free breakfast and happy hour. For the first time, the No1DP and I actually took advantage of this.
Happy Hour — Their strong point is their selection of cocktails, which is of course free for the entire time you’re there and the more limited selection beer and wine. Hors d’oeuvres were offered from the 4 different hotel restaurants (Japanese, Chinese, French or Italian). All were good munchies.
Breakfast — Breakfast served was REAL breakfast, none of the continental crap. Yes, they serve *eggs*, *bacon* and *sausage* with vegetables. Egg texture was more of the liquid egg beater as opposed to real eggs but it’s better than a breakfast of pastries. This was much appreciated.
ROOM: We stayed at the Jim Thompson Suite. There were two separate areas: the living/​work space with its own dining room and the actual bedroom.
The bed is quite comfortable and the actual bedroom overlooks the Landmark Tower and Cosmo Clock 21. It also has its own glassware, which includes real china.
The living/​working/​dining area has its own separate toilet. It’s a good space to lounge around looking at the view, eat or work. There are separate areas for the couch and dining area, which seats 4. Although I had to do work for my program, at least I got to do it overlooking Tokyo Bay. While the No1DP was sleeping I managed to get some work done.
The area ALSO HAS A NESPRESSO MACHINE. I took *full* advantage of that during my stay here, as this was the first time I saw one inside a hotel room.
BATHROOM: Like most Japanese bathrooms, toilet area is separate from the actual bath. Even the toilet area had a good view. Of note: the toilet seats can be heated.
The tub was the centrepiece of the bathroom and it was directly visible from the bed. You bet that I took advantage of an night soak with a cup of Nespresso served in real china looking over Yokohama.
Bathroom amenities are standard Japanese amenities, which also includes toothbrush, toothpaste, cotton swabs, comb, brush and razor in addition to standard liquid amenities you’d see in US hotels. And yes, they have bath salts (in one of the glass jars). 2 bath robes are also available.
All staff members speak English and with a combination of this and the little Japanese I know they were able to provide the No1DP and I with a great experience.