Hotels with Pools in Hakone

Our entire stay made for a truly wonderful trip! 😊 From the moment we arrived, we were greeted warmly and received incredibly attentive service. The drinks, amenities, and loungewear were all excellent. Both the indoor and outdoor onsen baths in our room were incredibly relaxing! We also enjoyed the heated pool and steam sauna. I highly recommend checking in early to fully enjoy your hotel stay! I was especially happy that the breakfast had such a wide variety at the salad bar! We'd love to visit again! Thank you very much! 🙇‍♀️

When checking in, the hotel will explain the tourist route of Hakone. It's a no-brainer to check in and just follow the map provided by the hotel. The service exceeded my expectations. I felt like a princess returning home during my stay. I thought this was the standard Japanese service. But later I stayed in other hotels and found that the service of Gora Kadan is far better than other hotels of the same price. The room is a bit old and the shower is also very old, but it is cleaned quite well.

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.

One of our best stay in Japan! The set meal, especially the dinner are awesome (at least for us Asian). We also enjoyed the room, amenity provided and flawless service. Hot spring is great, combined with free massage chair is heaven. It’s on a steep slope so if you don’t drive that would be some challenge.