APA Hotel & Resort Yokohama Bay Tower — the affordable family resort with a pool on Minatomirai Bay
If you're planning a family trip to Yokohama and want a hotel where young children stay free, there's a pool to splash around in, and the city's best family attractions are all walkable — APA Hotel & Resort Yokohama Bay Tower is the name that comes up again and again from families who've done it. Perched on Minatomirai Bay with the Cup Noodles Museum just an 8-minute walk away and Anpanman Museum another 12 minutes beyond that, rooms start from ¥11,000 per night, making it the best-priced option in the area that still comes with a pool.
APA Hotel & Resort Yokohama Bay Tower stands at Minatomirai 5-chome in Nishi-ku — a high-rise tower overlooking the bay, with city and water views available from Bay View rooms. Anyone who has brought children to this part of Yokohama will know straight away that the location is a jackpot for family travel. Cup Noodles Museum is an 8-minute walk, Anpanman Museum another 12 minutes, Cosmo World Ferris wheel is close by, and Shin-Takashima Station on the Minatomirai Line is just a 5-minute walk for onward connections to Yokohama Station and the JR network beyond.
"No extra charge for young kids, a pool for them to enjoy, and you can walk to Cup Noodles Museum straight from the lobby — plenty of families say this is the best-value hotel in the area for a trip with children."
The detail that lands APA Bay Tower on so many families' shortlists is the policy allowing children aged 5 and under to stay free when sharing an existing bed with a parent. In a period when hotel prices across Japan have been rising each year, that genuinely makes a difference on the bottom line, especially for a two- or three-night stay. Families of three or four should note, however, that APA's standard Twin rooms run smaller than the average for this hotel tier — booking a Triple Room from the outset is the sensible move to avoid a tight squeeze.
On amenities for families — APA Bay Tower has two swimming pools: an indoor pool open year-round, and an outdoor pool that opens seasonally (roughly mid-July to late August during the peak summer months). There is also a children's buffet option. One thing to flag: if an outdoor swim session is a centrepiece of your trip, verify the pool's open dates against your travel window before you book, as outside the summer season only the indoor pool is available.
APA Bay Tower's score of 8.6 is built on a solid base of reviews, and it holds up well across several dimensions — cleanliness, service, and location are all noted positively. What guests tend to mention most is the Bay View room category, where the views of Yokohama harbour and the city lights at night are genuinely impressive. Many guests report it feels well worth the small price step up from a standard room, especially compared with what you'd pay for a similar view elsewhere in the district.
For getting around, Shin-Takashima Station on the Minatomirai Line is a short 5-minute stroll. Two or three stops brings you to Yokohama Station, the major hub for JR Yokohama Line, Tokyu, Keikyu, and Sotetsu services. A day trip into Tokyo is straightforward from here without needing to move hotels. For those heading further afield, Shin-Yokohama Shinkansen station is roughly 15 to 20 minutes away.
A couple of things worth knowing honestly — APA's standard Twin rooms are noticeably smaller than what you'd get from competing chains at the same price tier. If there are three or four of you, book a Triple Room from the start rather than relying on the Twin. And the outdoor pool only operates for a short window in summer, so if you are counting on open-air swimming, double-check the dates.
All told, APA Hotel & Resort Yokohama Bay Tower makes the most sense for families who want a pool-equipped hotel in a great location for children's attractions, at a price that doesn't require a big budget. Starting from ¥11,000 per night, it is the least expensive option in the Minatomirai area that still comes with a pool. The trade-off is smaller-than-average room size, but if your plan is to be out exploring all day and come back to sleep, the value-for-money here is hard to beat in this neighbourhood.
Summary from Booking & Agoda
- ✓ Kids under 5 stay free sharing a bed — genuine saving for families with young children
- ✓ Two swimming pools + children's buffet — solid family facilities
- ✓ 8-min walk to Cup Noodles Museum · 12 min to Anpanman Museum
- ✓ Bay View rooms offer great views of the harbour and city lights at night
- ! Standard Twin rooms are smaller than average — families of 3-4 should book Triple
- ! Outdoor pool is seasonal (approx. mid-July to late August only)
- ! Rates climb steeply in peak season and long weekends — book well ahead
- ✓ Minatomirai location — family attractions all walkable from the front door
- ✓ Shin-Takashima Station just 5 min walk — easy connections toward Tokyo
- ✓ Starting from ¥11,000 — cheapest pool-equipped hotel in this district
- ✓ Bay View rooms deliver impressive views worth the small upgrade cost
- ! Standard rooms are on the small side — need more space? Book a Triple
- ! Parking is limited — if you're arriving by car, check availability in advance
- ! Breakfast buffet is priced separately from the room rate — check package options
- 💡If you're a group of 3 or 4 — APA's Twin rooms are smaller than the chain average → book a Triple Room from the outset, don't count on a Twin being comfortable for everyone.
- 💡If an outdoor pool session is a must — the outdoor pool only opens roughly mid-July to late August → confirm the open dates against your trip before booking.
- 💡If room space is important to you — APA does not specialise in large rooms → consider Yokohama Bay Hotel Tokyu or Citadines nearby if you want more square metres.