Earlier this year, my sister and I embarked on a long-anticipated trip to Japan. The timing was intentional, it was a special birthday celebration for her in late March. What I hadn’t fully realized when I began planning was that we’d be arriving right in the middle of cherry blossom season. A happy coincidence, especially in the Tokyo region where sakura-lined streets add a magical touch to everything.
I’d been to Japan before, on a memorable trip with my daughter. We had stayed in the heart of Tokyo, in the buzzing neighborhood of Ginza. It’s lively, central, and has a certain charm that blends high-end retail with local authenticity. As a loyal Accor member, I usually try to stick with their hotels whenever I travel, not just for the comfort and service, but also to make the most of my membership points.
On that earlier trip, we stayed at the Ibis Styles in Ginza- an Accor gem. Naturally, I looked it up again while planning this trip with my sister. Unfortunately, it was fully booked for our travel dates, and other Accor properties in the Tokyo area were, frankly, a bit too pricey for my budget this time around.
Mercure Yokosuka to the Rescue
Nestled in the Kanagawa Prefecture, part of the greater Tokyo region, this hotel offered a great deal and a chance to explore a part of Japan I hadn’t seen before. I booked our flights and confirmed the hotel reservation without hesitation, feeling excited for what lay ahead.
Getting There: A Little Metro Mayhem
Our flight landed at Haneda Airport, and from there, we dove straight into one of my favorite ways to explore Japan, by metro. I usually pride myself on being pretty savvy with metro systems, and with the help of Google Maps, I can usually chart out a smooth course. But Tokyo Metro? It always has a trick or two up its sleeve. This time was no different.
We made our way to Keikyu-Kamata station with no trouble, ready to transfer toward Shiori, our final stop. I was on the correct platform, took a train heading in the right direction… or so I thought. I kept checking the stations against what Google Maps was showing me, and to my dismay, they didn’t match up. It was the wrong train.
We got off after two stations, retraced our steps back to Keikyu-Kamata, and I decided to follow Google Maps to the second, waiting for the exact time for the train it recommended. That did the trick! Soon, we were on our way again and arrived at Shiori station with no further hiccups.
From Shiori, finding the Mercure Yokosuka was a breeze. The hotel is located just a short walk from the station, practically next door. Google Maps pointed us in the right direction, and the hotel stood right there, tall and welcoming. We rolled our suitcases in and stepped into the reception, ready to start our stay.
Warm Welcomes and Tully’s Coffee: Easing into Yokosuka
Check-in at Mercure Yokosuka was smooth and friendly, just what we needed after our little metro misadventure. As an Accor Silver member, I’m usually entitled to early check-in if rooms are available. I had written to the hotel ahead of time, and while they were gracious, they let me know that the property was fully booked and couldn’t accommodate an early check-in. However, they were more than happy to store our luggage so we could explore the area in the meantime.
And explore we did, but not before enjoying a thoughtful touch from the hotel. They opened the welcome lounge for us, a quiet, comfortable space where we could rest a little before heading out. After freshening up, we stepped outside to check out the surroundings. The picture above was taken much later in our stay though!
Mercure Yokosuka is next door to the Yokosuka Bay which is the US Naval Port in Japan. Right across the road the bay is a bustling mall, Coaska Bayside Stores, our perfect first stop. It had a fantastic mix of shops, including Muji and GU, and a green grocery store where we marveled at the variety of unfamiliar, fresh Japanese vegetables.
But more than anything, we were craving coffee. Having just flown in from India, we were running on excitement and very little sleep. That’s when we found Tully’s Coffee, a cozy little café that quickly became our go-to spot during the stay. We had a cup of coffee, shared a dessert and by 12.15 we were back to the hotel.
Checking In at Mercure Yokosuka: A Comfortable Start to Our Stay
When we walked back to the reception at Mercure Yokosuka, there was a small surprise waiting for us- they told us that breakfast hadn’t been included in our booking. I was pretty sure I had booked it, but the staff were kind and accommodating. They assured us it wasn’t a problem and could easily add it. I agreed and told them they could charge us for it if it hadn’t been included earlier. No fuss, just a smooth resolution.
While I was taking my afternoon nap, I got a call from reception confirming that breakfast was indeed included in our booking, just as I had thought. It was a relief to have that sorted out, and I appreciated their follow-up.
We were given a beautiful room on the 16th floor, room 1606, with a partial view of the bay. Having stayed in Tokyo before, I immediately noticed how much more spacious the room was compared to places like the Ibis Styles in Ginza. Being slightly outside the Tokyo city center definitely came with perks, and the room size was one of them.
Our wonderful stay at the Mercure Yokosuka Japan @alka_d pic.twitter.com/9Of9lWbywI
— Mridula Dwivedi (@mridulablog) April 10, 2025
Another big plus? The bathtub. It was a full-sized tub, a real blessing after long days of walking. Our feet were beyond grateful every evening! Despite our excitement, we were exhausted from the journey. We took a quick nap and woke up in the evening, ready to explore.
Luckily, Mercure Yokosuka is perfectly located. We simply crossed the road, walked past the mall, and soon found ourselves at Verny Park. It’s a charming bay-side park that locals love, a peaceful, scenic spot to unwind and stretch our legs.
Dinner at Bayside Mall: A Delicious Vegetarian Find
Soon evening fell, and we headed out for dinner at the Coaska Bayside Mall, conveniently located right across from our hotel. The food court there turned out to be a pleasant surprise. We managed to find a satisfying vegetarian meal—steaming bowls of rice with mushrooms and tofu, served with comforting miso soup and a side of pickled vegetables. It was simple, hearty, and absolutely delicious. With our bellies full and our feet finally at rest, it was time to head back to the hotel. Sleep came easy, and we were all set to wake up refreshed and ready for a new day of exploration.
A Breakfast with a View: Mornings at Mercure Yokosuka
The next morning, we made our way to the 19th floor for breakfast, and were immediately taken in by the view. We were lucky to get a table overlooking the bay, and it truly was a stunning start to the day—serene, expansive, and full of light.
At Mercure Yokosuka, breakfast includes a main dish of your choice: omelette, egg benedict, or pancakes. Since my sister Alka doesn’t eat eggs at all, she stuck to the pancakes each morning. I, on the other hand, happily rotated between all three.
The breakfast buffet was generous and vegetarian-friendly. There were fresh juices, an array of cheeses, breads, croissants, bakery items, and hash browns. They also offered a Japanese-style breakfast option with soup and rice, but I wasn’t quite brave enough to try that just yet!
For the next ten days, this became our morning ritual, a beautiful view, a delicious breakfast, and a full tank of energy before heading out to explore the city.
Why I Loved Staying at Mercure Yokosuka
I absolutely loved my stay at Mercure Yokosuka. One of the biggest reasons? Its location in a local neighborhood. It offered a refreshing glimpse into everyday Japanese life—something that’s harder to find in the hustle of central Tokyo. I noticed more children, more families, and a quieter, more grounded atmosphere that felt authentic and warm.
That said, if you’re planning to explore central Tokyo extensively, you do need to factor in the commute. Depending on where you’re heading, the travel time by metro from Mercure Yokosuka to Tokyo ranges from about an hour to an hour and a half each way. It’s not ideal if your plans are Tokyo-centric, but it’s manageable with a bit of planning.
What you gain in exchange is space, comfort, and calm. The room size is noticeably larger than what I’ve experienced in Tokyo, especially places like Ginza. The bathtub and bed were also more generous in size, which made a big difference after long days of walking. And despite visiting during cherry blossom season, a peak travel time, I was able to get the room at a very reasonable rate.
If your focus isn’t solely on Tokyo and you’re looking to explore nearby areas or simply want a peaceful base, Mercure Yokosuka is a fantastic choice. I would rate it very highly for comfort, atmosphere, and value.