I took a bus from Odawara Station, got off at the “Verde no Mori” bus stop, and reached the property in about an 8-minute walk.
As it was my first time visiting Hakone, walking uphill from the bus stop while carrying a suitcase made me feel a bit uneasy at first. However, once I arrived, I was warmly welcomed with a welcome drink, and they kindly accommodated an early check-in, which was a big relief.
The room was spacious with a beautiful view, and I was thrilled to finally experience a semi-open-air bath, something I had always dreamed of. The location is extremely quiet, making it a perfect place to truly relax and enjoy a peaceful escape from everyday life.
There isn’t much around the property. If you have a car, this won’t be an issue, but for those without one (like me this time), I recommend bringing some snacks just in case. Although I didn’t use it, the hotel also seems to offer shuttle service to nearby bus stops.
Dinner, which I reserved in advance, was served in a private dining room and featured a kaiseki-style menu. During my stay in late January, the sashimi course originally included bluefin tuna, amberjack, and ark shell. However, because “a Japanese guest (me!) was visiting,” they thoughtfully prepared usubahagi, a fish I had never encountered before. I was truly impressed by this considerate gesture.
The sakura shrimp rice cooked in a small clay pot was another highlight. When I couldn’t finish it all, they kindly made rice balls for me to take, which was such a warm and thoughtful touch. Breakfast was also confirmed the day before, and I was able to receive some additional service. Both meals were excellent in quantity and flavor—I enjoyed everything immensely.
The flowing hot spring bath in the room requires mixing in cold water and adjusting the temperature yourself, but by running the cold water about 5–7 minutes before bathing, it was not inconvenient at all.
Honestly, this is a place that may divide opinions depending on personal preference. For me, however, it was a wonderful stay, and I definitely plan to return.
Unfortunately, I didn’t catch his name, but the Japanese male staff member who took care of our meals was gentle, polite, and answered all my questions clearly, which made me feel very comfortable. There was also a young Southeast Asian female staff member; while there were minor communication misunderstandings, she worked very hard. As someone who also works abroad, I sincerely hope she continues sharing the beauty of Hakone and Japan with international guests visiting this inn.
Next time, I will definitely stay for multiple nights!
