Hakone Luxury Hotels

"The moment our car pulled up, a staff member rushed out to help with our luggage, smiling all the while. They guided us through check-in, even offering a warm towel and welcome tea – talk about a fantastic first impression! Just outside the lobby, there's a lush, green mountain view. Lounging on the beanbag chairs there, just chilling out, was incredibly therapeutic 🌿. The room itself was a typical Japanese style, spacious and spotless. The balcony even had an open-air private onsen tub, so if you didn't feel like going to the public baths, you could soak in your own hot spring while enjoying the view – maximum privacy. The hotel also provided yukata robes, and wearing them around the premises really added to the whole experience 👘. The onsen facilities were definitely the highlight! The public baths on the fifth and sixth floors alternate daily for men and women. The open-air onsen on the sixth floor had an absolutely stunning view – mountains by day, starry skies by night. Soaking in the hot spring with a towel on my head, just zoning out, felt exactly like something out of an anime. The toiletries were POLA, with everything from makeup remover to toner and lotion provided. My skin felt so smooth after the bath, I just went straight back to my room and passed out ♨️✨. For dinner, we chose the teppanyaki. The chef cooked each dish right in front of us, meticulously explaining every course in English. The ingredients were fresh, the seasoning precise – you could really taste the care put into it. Breakfast was a buffet, and having unlimited sashimi rice bowls was pure bliss. Seafood donburi lovers, rejoice! 🍣 On checkout day, a staff member stood at the entrance, bowing goodbye and waving until our car was far out of sight. That feeling of being genuinely cared for truly makes you want to come back again and again."

"We had a wonderful 2-night stay at Fuji Speedway Hotel. The hotel is modern, clean, and beautifully designed, with stunning views of the race circuit and surrounding mountains. The room was spacious, comfortable, and well-maintained. The staff were friendly, professional, and always willing to help. We especially enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere and the unique experience of staying right next to the famous Fuji Speedway. The facilities were excellent, and the location was perfect for exploring the Mount Fuji area. Everything exceeded our expectations, and we would definitely stay here again on our next trip to Japan. Highly recommended for both motorsport enthusiasts and travelers looking for a relaxing luxury stay."

"Service: All staff members were incredibly nice and welcoming! Thank you for your hospitality 🫶 Facilities: The private rock onsen in the room was spacious and beautiful, and the hot spring bath even had certifications on display, which was a nice touch. Environment: The grounds are vast and very picturesque, with top-notch landscape design. Food: Both breakfast and dinner were served in our room. The server meticulously arranged everything and explained each dish. The staff even emailed ahead of time to ask about any food allergies, which was very thoughtful. Transportation: There's a shuttle bus service available by reservation. I booked mine via email."

"This Japanese garden-style hotel sets the bar high. As the car pulled up, I felt like a tycoon returning home, with staff lined up on both sides to welcome me. The room was incredibly spacious, featuring a private onsen and a personal garden. Sitting on the room's veranda, enjoying the trickling stream in the private garden and listening to the patter of rain, made me completely forget the time! The service was incredibly attentive and impeccable. The hotel has international interns, and several students from Taiwan provided service in Mandarin, which was a fantastic touch. Breakfast and dinner were included, and the exquisite kaiseki dinner was truly delightful. After dinner, I enjoyed exploring the old architecture along the hotel's internal corridors. When I occasionally encountered staff, they greeted me respectfully, which added to the wonderful experience. In the morning and evening, you can admire the beautiful Japanese garden, which is quite expansive, featuring pavilions, bridges over streams, and a lotus pond. Highly recommended!"

"I stayed one night at Fuji Marriott Hotel Lake Yamanaka and really enjoyed the beautiful view of Mount Fuji from my room. The breakfast was very nice with a good variety of food. However, one thing that disappointed me was that I couldn’t turn off the hot spring water in the room. The running water sound made it difficult to sleep comfortably. Since I was only staying for one night, I didn’t request a room change. Another area for improvement is that the staff could be more proactive in assisting guests with their baggage upon arrival. The hotel’s location is far away from the train station, but we drove there so it was fine. Overall, it was a pleasant stay with a stunning view and great breakfast, but there’s some room for improvement in comfort and service attentiveness."

"If you are looking to escape the relentless pace of the city, Hilton Odawara Resort & Spa is an absolute sanctuary. I recently stayed here and left feeling completely recharged. The most striking thing about this resort is the peace and quiet. Nestled between the mountains and the Sagami Bay, it offers a rare opportunity to truly reconnect with nature. Whether you are walking through the lush greenery of the grounds or simply staring out at the ocean, the atmosphere is incredibly grounding."

"The hotel is located near Gora Station, and they offer a shuttle service. We were on a self-driving trip, and navigating there required a bit of careful attention, but there's parking available right outside the hotel. I give very high marks for the hotel's ambiance, the staff's service attitude, and the comfort of the rooms. The room was spacious, and the single beds were also very wide. The toilet and bathroom were separate, and there was a private onsen on the balcony. We ordered breakfast at the hotel, which was a Japanese-Western selection, pretty similar to what you'd find at a typical Western buffet."

"Had a wonderful 2-night stay in Hakone! Having breakfast and dinner at the hotel saved us a lot of hassle. While you're at Owakudani, make sure to try the famous local specialty, the black eggs. There's a small stall tucked away in the back of the supermarket behind Owakudani that sells them – 4 hot eggs for 500 yen. They say eating them adds years to your life, haha!"

"Every city's soul resides in a hotel. The Peace Hotel in Shanghai, the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo, the Ritz Paris. These masterpieces, born from local spirit, aesthetics, and a unique mission, are irreplaceable classics, forever one-of-a-kind. They are undeniably the ultimate experiences to explore in these great cities. In 1871, a 20-year-old Japanese man moved to America for work. After saving enough money, he returned to Japan during the Meiji Restoration and enrolled at Keio University. There, he was enlightened by Fukuzawa Yukichi, the father of modern Japan, and first realized the importance of international tourism. In the same year (1874), Emperor Guangxu was only 3 years old; the gears of history began to turn. Fukuzawa's portrait is still on Japan's highest denomination banknote today. The young man, Yamaguchi, realized that Japan didn't have a true hotel for foreigners. So he picked up a blank piece of paper and began to draw the blueprint for Japan's future state guesthouse: 1. A place foreigners would love most. 2. Close to Tokyo, with beautiful scenery. 3. Must have natural hot springs. The intersection of these three coordinates landed in the Miyanoshita area of Hakone. In 1878, Japan's first resort hotel – Fujiya Hotel – was born. However, fate was cruel; just 5 years later, a major fire engulfed the hotel, along with all records since its opening, turning everything to ash. The once eternal legacy became as thin as a wisp of smoke. Fortunately, Yamaguchi resolutely chose to rebuild. In 1891, the new building was completed and has been operating ever since. The symmetrical facade and main entrance portico emphasize a solemn ”frontality.” Inside, there are sofas, fireplaces, and radiators. Even the height of the doorknobs and beds was customized to suit the stature of Westerners. Yet, at the same time, the graceful curves of the Japanese roof, vermillion railings, and dragon wood carvings constantly remind you – this is Japan. No other hotel can better interpret the four characters ”Wa-Yo setchū” (a blend of Japanese and Western styles) than Fujiya Hotel. During the war, it interned over 70 European and Central/South American diplomats. Over a hundred years, the countless celebrities, dignitaries, and royals it hosted are dazzling: Charlie Chaplin, John Lennon, Albert Einstein, Yukio Mishima, The King of Belgium, the Crown Prince of Sweden, the Duke of Windsor, Emperor Hirohito, the Last Emperor Puyi, Chiang Kai-shek... For nearly 150 years, Fujiya Hotel has witnessed the collapse of countless colossal powers. How many kings and generals once stood by its west-facing windows, witnessing the twilight of their empires? I checked in during early summer, like pushing open a door to time. The hustle and bustle had long faded, but it still retained its former glory, humbly yet proudly refusing to awaken. Time stands still here, leaving amber-like imprints, as if nothing has ever truly left."

"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."