Gora-Onsen　Setsugetsuka-Bettei　Suiun

This ryokan is quite small, acting as an 'annex' to a larger onsen hotel, which gave it a nice sense of privacy. We opted for a double room with a mountain view. It was spacious and styled in a traditional Japanese-Western fusion. The balcony featured a private open-air onsen bath, where you could directly fill it with hot spring water. However, Hakone was still a bit chilly right after the typhoon, making the outdoor private bath quite exposed. The hotel has four floors. The basement level is where the public hot springs are located. Both the male and female baths are not huge, but perhaps because there weren't many guests, and I visited during the off-peak season, several times over two days I had the baths all to myself – essentially a private onsen experience. Outside the onsen area, there were complimentary cold drinks, beer, and small snacks. After 10 PM, they also offered ramen. In addition to the two public baths, the hotel also has three public 'private baths' nestled in the garden, presumably for couples. We even tried one out [laughing emoji]. If someone is using it, a light illuminates outside, so you don't have to worry about accidentally intruding, haha. I booked the 'one-night, two-meals' plan, and both the breakfast and dinner at this ryokan were exceptional. For breakfast, you could choose between Japanese or Western style; I went for Japanese both times. Dinner was a Kaiseki meal, with a different menu each day. If you were to order dinner separately, it would be around 14,500 yen per person. I personally think it was well worth it. The ryokan is right next to Gora Station on the Tozan Railway. After exiting the station, walk a short distance until you see the 'Gora Park' sign, then take a small uphill path. It can be a bit tiring if you're lugging suitcases up the hill. Alternatively, you can first go to the 'Setsugetsuka' hotel next to Gora Station, which is actually the main hotel and caters to more general travelers. From there, the staff from the annex can pick you up.

The hotel is very comfortable and the food is excellent. I'll definitely be back.

The room was clean, and the service was excellent. The transportation was convenient, and they even offered late-night snacks. It's a shame the weather was bad when I visited 😩, so I couldn't see anything when I went up to Owakudani. Other than that, everything else was pretty good.

The room had a lovely Japanese aesthetic. The check-in experience was great, with a dedicated staff member escorting us to our room. The room also featured an open-air private onsen, which was wonderful! There are also three private onsens on the B1 level. The fridge was stocked with complimentary water and beer. Each floor had a small room with snacks and drinks available.

I stayed on the 2nd floor, and the room had no outdoor view, just a wooden fence, which made it feel quite stuffy. If I had the choice, I'd definitely pick Setsugetsuka instead. Their lobby is much larger, and both the activity space and the onsen views are far superior.

Service: The service was excellent. When checking in, they explained all the important details about the hot spring, the room, and the brunch. Food: We had the half-board option (dinner and breakfast), and the food was delicious – highly recommended! There was also free ramen for a late-night snack, plus a self-service snack area with a beverage machine, beer, and small treats. Environment: Clean, comfortable, and well-maintained. Overall, if I go to Hakone again, I'll definitely stay here!

Had a wonderful stay! The room was very clean and the private hot spring bath, fed by natural spring water, right in our room was a huge plus. They also offered free private hot tubs and a variety of drinks, including Haagen-Dazs. I think the food could be improved, but it might just be a matter of personal preference.

Facilities: Very clean and well-maintained. Hygiene: Excellent. Environment: Superb, with a fantastic view. Service: Impeccable attention to detail. I'd love to come back again; a longer stay would be even better for a more immersive experience. Plus, the soy sauce ramen at night was incredibly delicious!