Hakone Gora Byakudan

This top-tier hot spring hotel in Hakone truly lives up to its reputation. First off, given its secluded location with nothing much around, having a car or utilizing their shuttle service is essential. The hotel conveniently offers pick-up and drop-off from the station in a very comfortable white Alphard. Secondly, the hot spring facilities are excellent. Besides the main public bath on the first floor, each room also has its own private hot spring bath. The massage chairs by the entrance to the public bath are incredibly comfortable. The internet speed is fast, the bed and pillows are cozy, room temperature control is easy, and the lighting design is well-thought-out. Next up is their culinary experience. As a hotel renowned for its cuisine, the dishes are not only beautiful but also delicious. Enjoying exquisite food alongside the restaurant's incredible views makes for a truly delightful dining experience. Lastly, the perfect and friendly service was genuinely touching.

Facilities: Excellent Cleanliness: Good Ambiance: Comfortable Service: Good Located on Gora mountain, there isn't much to explore nearby, but you can take a pleasant walk along the road with fresh air. The hotel facilities are excellent, and the half-board (two meals and one stay) is fantastic; both breakfast and dinner were delicious! After a satisfying meal, we enjoyed a very relaxing dip in the hot springs. The lobby offers tea and coffee, and in the evening, there are various snacks, alcoholic drinks, and other beverages available. The staff are very friendly. Overall, we are extremely satisfied.

The service was truly excellent, they patiently helped with translations. The kaiseki dinner was abundant and ceremonial, though the late-night snack was a bit lacking in variety. All in-room drinks were complimentary and unlimited, and the shuttle service was superb; the staff member was incredibly dedicated.

The hotel has a unique charm and a great location. If you communicate in advance, they can arrange a pick-up/drop-off service from a nearby station. The rooms are Japanese-style with tatami mats, and it's a 'one night, two meals' plan. Dinner was delicious, and they even prepared the futons for us while we were eating. The public onsen is really comfortable; you can open the glass windows to take in the beautiful mountain scenery. The private onsen in the room was also a nice touch.

Cons: This onsen ryokan is located on a hill, so the location isn't the most convenient. It's quite difficult to explore the onsen town or walk around nearby. Perhaps because it's a smaller onsen, the public bath doesn't have an open-air bath, but the private open-air bath in the room somewhat makes up for it. Pros: The lobby offers expansive mountain views, the hotel interior is new, and the room layout is well-designed. Both dinner and breakfast are above the standard for an onsen ryokan; you can really feel the chef's dedication, not just a typical mass production. I wrote this review mainly to express my gratitude to our server, Ms. Saki Takano. She communicated with us in English and even used a few simple Chinese words to introduce the dishes. When we left, she wrote us a blessing card in Chinese characters. Her sincerity and warmth, without any pretense, truly made us feel at home. Thank you very much.

I had a very satisfying stay. Upon entering the hotel, a subtle fragrance filled the entire room. Overall, the guesthouse was extremely clean, spotless. I particularly want to mention the service: the staff member who assisted us was incredibly attentive. She remembered all my preferences after only being told once, and arranged things accordingly every day. Many thanks! 🙏

The hotel offers a pick-up service; just call them from Gora Station and they'll send a car. The herbal tea in the lobby is lovely, and you can also make your own sandalwood essential oil sachet which smells wonderful. The hotel's hot springs are quite comfortable; I tried both the private in-room bath and the public one. The public hot spring is on B1, where you can enjoy massage chairs while you soak. The small cold drinks from the mini-fridge are delicious.