The Westin Yokohama is now welcoming guests. The new 373-room property is Westin Hotels & Resorts latest opening in Japan.

“We are thrilled to expand the brand’s footprint in Japan with the opening of The Westin Yokohama,” said Jennifer Connell, global brand leader, Westin Hotels & Resorts and vice-president, Distinctive Premium Brands.

Located in the southwest of Tokyo, Yokohama has evolved from a small fishing village to one of the country’s key ports and commercial centers. The Westin Yokohama is strategically situated in the city’s new central business district, Minato Mirai. It is a short 25-minute drive from Tokyo Haneda Airport and a 36-minute train ride from Tokyo city center. It is also close to popular sightseeing spots such as Japan’s largest Chinatown and Yokohama’s renowned Sankeien Garden.

Designed by leading architecture and design firm G.A. Design of London, the property’s design draws inspiration from the concept of biophilia, which is the premise that humans have an innate need to connect with nature and these connections enhance well-being. This sensibility is meshed with elements that reflect the city’s history as a port and its local culture. Highlights include:

• A first-floor arrival area designed to be a tranquil urban oasis, which features the gentle sounds of running water and materials – natural stone and timber accented with steel and metal – that reflect a sense of destination.
• A lobby on the 23rd floor with views of Mount Fuji and an indoor garden that is an expression of the Japanese philosophy of “shinrin yoku,” also known as forest bathing.
• A feature fireplace in the heart of the lobby that evokes a sense of homecoming.

The hotel experience comes to life through the brand’s six pillars of well-being: Sleep Well, Eat Well, Move Well, Feel Well, Work Well, and Play Well. Guestrooms feature the Westin brand’s iconic Heavenly® Bed and are thoughtfully designed with natural materials and imagery, including leaf-shaped illuminations that cast nature-inspired shadows on the ceiling to create a sensory experience. Wide, floor-to-ceiling windows frame the cityscapes of Yokohama. And bathrooms are fitted with Heavenly® Bath rain showers, the brand’s signature White Tea aloe bath amenities, extra-large bath towels, and plush bathrobes.

Inspired by the brand’s Eat Well pillar, the hotel’s five food and beverage outlets offer an array of seasonal and international cuisine with a “locally grown and consumed” approach that exemplifies the hotel’s commitment to sustainability. Dining options are: Brasserie du Quai, an all-day dining restaurant inspired by French seaside towns; Kissui-sen, a contemporary izakaya-style restaurant; Iron Bay, the hotel’s signature restaurant that offers a menu with all-things grilled to order; Sugar Merchant, which serves an array of coffees and teas; and the hotel’s speakeasy bar, Code Bar.

Other features and amenities include:

• a dedicated 10,000 square-foot “wellness floor,” which is home to Japan’s first Heavenly Spa by Westin™;
• a heated indoor swimming pool and the brand’s state-of-the-art WestinWORKOUT® Fitness Studio;
• and more than 11,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space including a nearly 5,000 square foot Grand Ballroom and four meeting spaces.

“With its inspiring location, sustainable dining, and array of wellness amenities, The Westin Yokohama is an urban oasis perfectly suited to health-conscious business and leisure travelers visiting this wonderful city,” said Richard Suter, general manager, The West Yokohama.