Mitsui Garden Hotel Yokohama Minatomirai PREMIER Review: New and Modern

Location

This hotel is located in the heart of Minato Mirai, Yokohama’s modern and scenic waterfront district. The area is known for its stunning bay views, contemporary skyscrapers, and shopping hubs. We really like how clean and neat the area looks with spacious streets and high rises, some of which have pretty nice designs. Every night, we enjoyed walking around and taking in the peaceful atmosphere.

When I was researching the best areas to stay in Yokohama, Minato Mirai consistently appeared among the top recommendations. During our stay, the area was surprisingly quiet, both during the day and in the evening. Perhaps it was due to the winter season. Whenever I looked out from our room window, I could easily count the number of cars or pedestrians with one hand. It is probably more lively in summer when the weather is nicer.

The hotel is close to several shopping centers like MARK IS Minatomirai, Queen’s Square Yokohama and Yokohama World Porters. Nearby attractions include Cup Noodles Museum, Cosmo Clock 21 Ferris Wheel, and Red Brick Warehouse. Overall, the location is pretty convenient for sightseeing in Yokohama.

In terms of transportation, Minatomirai Station (on Minatomirai Line) is just a 5-minute walk from the hotel, providing direct access to Yokohama Station. Sakuragicho Station is further away, about a 10-15 minute walk, so we didn’t use it. In short, you should be able to get around Yokohama easily as well as take trains to Tokyo, Kamakura and Hakone via Odawara conveniently. We had been to Tokyo before, and this time we were pretty happy with having Yokohama as a base.

Arrival

We took the Narita Express directly from Narita Airport to Yokohama Station, followed by a short taxi ride to the Mitsui Garden Yokohama Minatomirai. We knew in advance that we wouldn’t make it to the hotel before 5pm, so we took advantage of their late check-in (after 5pm) and early check-out (before 10am) rate.

After entering the hotel building, guests need to take an elevator to the lobby floor. As soon as we stepped out of the elevator, the sleek and minimalist design of the lobby immediately caught our attention. The high ceiling, expansive windows, and a striking white-curved panel along the long wall gave the lobby an airy, contemporary, and youthful atmosphere.

The hotel has several self check-in kiosks but they were inactive when we arrived around 6pm so we completed our check-in with front desk staff. It was very quick and smooth. Near the front desk, there is a small self-service amenity station, where guests can pick up essentials such as toothbrushes, cotton buds, and other toiletries.

Our Room

We booked a deluxe twin room and were given a room on a high floor facing the bay. The room also has a modern, minimalist, and elegant design. Soft wood tones, neutral-colored walls, and warm ambient lighting gave the space a calming and inviting atmosphere. Everything felt very new and clean.

The room was well-equipped with a large wall-mounted TV, a humidifier and air purifier, and a mini fridge. It would be nice if they could incorporate a separate small working desk into the layout of the room.

At 32 square meters, it was quite spacious. I particularly like the seating area by the window which included a small round table, a modern chair, and a built-in cushioned sofa. This setup created a cozy space to relax while enjoying the beautiful bay view.

The bathroom follows a typical Japanese design, featuring a deep soaking tub paired with a rain shower. They use shampoo and body wash from Mikimoto which felt quite luxurious with a pleasant and light scent. One thing to note is that the bathroom door is transparent glass which may not offer the level of privacy some guests prefer. The toilet was in a separate enclosed space.

Outside the bathroom, a separate vanity area with a large mirror and sink is positioned near the entrance. This is the feature of the room that I disliked the most. I generally prefer an enclosed bathroom setup for convenience and hygiene, like keeping water from dripping onto the floor and ensuring the space remains neat and contained. In addition, having the vanity so close to the entrance made the entryway feel cramped and shorter than I would have liked.

Next to the vanity, open shelving and a hanging rod for clothes replaced the traditional wardrobe. There was not adequate space to hang clothes with this setting. I would have preferred a proper wardrobe to help keep the room looking more organized and minimize clutter.

A highlight feature of the room is the REFA hair dryer. At first glance, it looked small and lightweight, which made me skeptical about its performance. However, it turned out to be very powerful, drying hair quickly with a strong yet gentle airflow. It was easily one of the best hair dryers I’ve encountered in a hotel.

The hotel has multiple room categories, each varying in size and layout. I would recommend checking the hotel’s website to find the layout that best suits your needs.

Breakfast

The breakfast room at Mitsui Garden Hotel Yokohama Minatomirai PREMIER follows the same modern design aesthetic as the rest of the hotel. Large floor-to-ceiling windows allowed for plenty of natural light in the morning. We never had to wait for a table, though the dining area did become noticeably busier after 8 am.

The buffet counters feature an open kitchen concept, where chefs prepare some hot dishes in full view of the guests. The selection was quite diverse and well-balanced. There were fresh salads, seasonal vegetables, fruits, and yogurt, alongside traditional Japanese breakfast staples such as rice, miso soup, grilled fish, and pickles. For those who preferred Western-style options, the buffet included egg dishes, various types of bread, bacon, and sausages.

While the variety was solid, I did miss having a hot noodle soup station. Another drawback was the lack of daily variation as the breakfast selection remained exactly the same throughout our four-night stay. Even though the food tasted good, we were a bit bored with the offerings in the last two mornings.

A must-try of the breakfast at Mitsui Garden Yokohama Minatomirai is their signature French toast which was very rich and custardy. It was almost like eating creme brûlée for breakfast! Another thing I loved about this breakfast was the highlight of Kanagawa vegetables and inclusion of Japanese-style pasta, which felt like a fitting nod to Yokohama’s historical influence from Western cuisine. Every morning, we made sure to have a serving of salad and pasta. Their gnocchi with kale and pork salsiccia ragu was really tasty.

Other Features and Services

The hotel offers thoughtful spaces that enhance the overall guest experience. The lobby has ample seating for guests to relax while enjoying panoramic views of Yokohama Bay. Additionally, the outdoor terrace provides an open-air space for guests to step outside and take in the surrounding views. The player piano in the lobby definitely added a touch of elegance.

The gym and pool were available for hotel guests free of charge. Since it was winter, we didn’t check out the pool, but it can be a nice option for those visiting in warmer months. Several floors have a laundry room with a set of washer and dryer.

Overall, I think this hotel takes a modern approach to service, managing a balance between self-service conveniences and full-service hospitality. Some simple tasks are left for self-service and streamlined for efficiency, yet the presence of attentive staff, on-site restaurants and bars, a quality breakfast and amenities ensures that the hotel still delivers a comfortable and well-rounded experience.

Summary