Hotel Mt. Fuji

The room size wasn't actually small; we were a family of three and added an extra bed, which made it feel a bit cramped. We could see Mount Fuji right from our room, and the air quality was excellent for morning runs. The hotel's rich breakfast was a big plus.

I rarely give a hotel a 5-star rating, but this one hit every single sweet spot of mine, so I just have to write a proper review. Cleanliness: Classic Japanese standards. You could run your hand across any surface in the room and find zero dust. Environment: On a clear day, you can see Mount Fuji. The second-floor hot spring allows you to soak while gazing at Fuji. Nestled halfway up the mountain at Lake Yamanaka and surrounded by woods, it offers a deeply refreshing, oxygen-rich retreat. Many locals come here for weekend getaways. Service: Excellent. There is a young Mandarin-speaking staff member at the front desk, making communication seamless, and he was warm and attentive. The hotel restaurant also has a friendly Mandarin-speaking attendant. Facilities: Pretty good, though you shouldn't compare them to newly built hotels back home, as this property does have some age to it. Dining: The hotel restaurant requires reservations—please, please keep this in mind. Personally, I feel this shows respect for guests by ensuring they can deliver adequate service quality. The food is delicious with fresh ingredients; you simply must have a meal here. Breakfast: Very bountiful, with both ingredients and flavors hitting the mark. Transportation: Self-driving or hiring a private car is much more convenient. If relying on public transit, you need to use the hotel's shuttle bus down to the bus stop at the foot of the mountain. The earliest shuttle down is at 8:45 AM, and the last one seems to be around 6:00 or 7:00 PM. To sum up, this hotel offers great value for money and has a lot of unique charm. I will definitely book it again next time. My only regret this time was the rainy weather, which prevented me from seeing Mount Fuji.