Hotele z: breakfast w Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan

A relatively old hot spring hotel, run by an elderly Japanese couple, and an auntie-like waiter. The overall experience is average, mainly because it is too old, the facilities are very old, and the hot spring is very small; it is far from Yumoto Station, the shuttle bus does not operate after 5 pm, the hotel does not have a pick-up service, the suitcase is large, and it is difficult to bring children Not recommended by tourists.

[Fufu Hakone: A Luxurious Mountain Escape] Fufu Hakone is located in the quiet Gora region and seamlessly blends modern comforts with traditional Japanese ryokan hospitality. The property stands out for its unique dual hot spring experiences, providing private balcony baths with clear mineral water in every suite alongside communal pools filled with therapeutic, milky-white sulfur volcanic water. We had a wonderful one-night stay at Fufu Hakone on 28 May 2026, which included a Kaiseki dinner and breakfast. [Getting There] Our journey began with a midnight flight from Singapore, reaching Tokyo at 9:00 AM. From there, we caught the Narita Express and changed to the Tokaido Shinkansen to travel to Odawara, before making our way up to Gora. We arrived at Gora Station close to 3:00 PM to find it drizzling. Unfortunately, local taxis were completely unavailable and we could not find any vehicles on the GO app. Fortunately, we managed to get into the shelter of the tourist information centre. The lady on duty was incredibly helpful, assisting us to call Fufu Hakone for a pickup and directing us to the exact area where hotel shuttle services operate. We highly recommend that you do not attempt to walk to the resort from the station, especially in poor weather. [Arrival Experience] The moment we arrived at the resort, we were met with warm smiles and greetings. We were guided to the reception area located on the second level of the front building and seated comfortably in the lounge, where we were served hot tea. A designated staff member came over to complete our check-in process and then escorted us to our room in the guest building. The level of attentiveness was outstanding. The staff member explained every single detail in the room, including the layout of the suite, the private balcony onsen, the water temperature controls, the television, and the mini-bar, which is entirely complimentary. They also carefully went through our dinner order, taking down all of our personal preferences, likes, and dislikes. [The Suite] Our suite, named 楢の芽 (Naranome), was located on the third level. Rather than trying to describe the beautiful layout in words, I will let the accompanying photos speak for themselves. The room features two super-single beds that are incredibly fluffy and soft, with each bed featuring two plush pillows to guarantee a perfect night of sleep. The resort provided both pyjamas and a two-piece samue yukata for our stay. The pyjamas are strictly for use inside the room, while the samue yukata is intended to be worn when exploring the public areas of the property. [Dinner and Breakfast] Both the Kaiseki dinner and the breakfast were exceptional. Because many of the exquisite dishes feature seasonal ingredients that change throughout the year, please refer to my photos for a visual look at what was served during our stay. [The Ultimate Onsen Routine] To make the most of the dual hot springs, I highly recommend this routine: - Welcome Soak: Start with the light and refreshing clear mineral water on your private balcony to gently wash away travel fatigue before dinner. - Dinner and Rest: Enjoy your Kaiseki meal, then return to your suite to digest comfortably for a few hours. - Nightcap Soak: End the evening in the communal baths. The thick, milky-white sulphur volcanic water melts away muscle tension and deeply relaxes the body before sleep. [Areas for Improvement] While the stay was mostly flawless, there are two minor points to note: - Toothbrush Set: The provided toothbrush set was rather small for my liking. It felt like it took ages to finish brushing my teeth. You should definitely bring your own if this is a concern for you. - Room Attire: The two-piece samue yukata was not comfortable at all. It is not mandatory to wear it around the property, but we chose to do so anyway to fully immerse ourselves in the traditional ryokan culture.

As a Korean family living in the United States, we stayed here as a family of four with our two young children (40 months and 21 months old), and overall, we had a truly memorable experience. We booked through Trip.com, and because there were no clearly stated child occupancy policies during booking, we reserved the room as 3 adults. This later created some confusion during check-in, which I will mention below, but aside from that, nearly everything about this hotel was exceptional. First, the positives: The breakfast was outstanding—worthy of its Michelin Guide 2025 recognition. Every meal was beautifully prepared, thoughtful, and delicious. We chose a traditional Japanese-style room with tatami flooring, and for our family with young children, it was perfect. Being able to remove our shoes and comfortably live on the floor felt especially natural and relaxing as Asians, and parents with little children will understand how convenient and comfortable this setup is. The location is also excellent—within walking distance from Gora Station, where the mountain railway arrives. Even with two small children, the walk was very manageable. The onsen experience was wonderful, and the guest lounge available from morning until 10 PM was another highlight that made the stay feel luxurious and comfortable. The dining area itself deserves special praise. Enjoying breakfast and dinner while overlooking the beautiful inner garden pond was peaceful and elegant, and the restaurant service team was abundant, attentive, warm, and professional. It truly felt like top-class hospitality. Now, one disappointment: During check-in, one female staff member wearing a headscarf made several comments that felt unnecessarily cold and transactional. Because we booked as 3 adults, she repeatedly explained that our children could be accommodated because of that booking choice—as if we were receiving an exception—despite there being no clearly stated child policy during reservation. She also explained that only 3 adult yukata/lounge outfits had been prepared in the room because we booked for 3 adults, and said we could request children's clothing “if needed.” When I asked when we should request them, she simply repeated that we could ask when necessary. At that point, a more thoughtful hospitality approach would have been something simple like: “I see you have two young children—would you like us to prepare children’s outfits now?” That small difference would have reflected genuine care. At check-out, I again observed behavior that felt uncomfortable. A trainee staff member was assisting us, and when the trainee forgot to request identification, the same staff member visibly frowned and corrected the trainee in front of us. It felt unnecessarily tense and unprofessional in front of guests. What stood out was that every other staff member we encountered was warm, polite, smiling, and genuinely welcoming. They bowed, greeted us kindly, and made us feel respected. Only this one staff member felt noticeably different—cold enough that we were left wondering whether it was discomfort toward children, cultural bias, or simply a personal attitude issue. I travel frequently internationally for business in a senior executive role, and this was the first time I experienced service that felt this distinctly uncomfortable from a luxury hospitality employee. That said, I want to emphasize: everyone else at the hotel was wonderful, and the property itself is beautiful, peaceful, elegant, and family-friendly. We would gladly return—but I hope the warmth shown by the rest of the team becomes the standard reflected consistently by every member of staff.

For my Yokohama trip, I chose the InterContinental Yokohama Grand, and the overall experience was absolutely stunning – easily the most satisfying hotel of my Kanto trip. It offered a high-end stay with a perfect blend of city views, quality service, and an unbeatable location, making it ideal for an in-depth exploration of Yokohama, enjoying the nightscapes, and a relaxing getaway. The hotel's location is truly unparalleled. It's right next to Yokohama Port, the iconic Ferris wheel, the Red Brick Warehouse, and shopping districts. Step outside, and you're on a seaside promenade, perfect for walks, photos, and enjoying the night view. World Porters shopping mall and various restaurants and cafes are within walking distance, and there's a convenience store downstairs, so you'll never have to worry about food or shopping. Transportation is also very convenient; it's close to the station and has a direct airport bus, making travel and departures completely hassle-free. The biggest bonus was definitely the unbeatable floor-to-ceiling harbor view. While Japanese hotels are generally on the smaller side, the InterContinental's rooms are spacious and airy, with an elegant and tidy layout. During the day, natural light is abundant, offering expansive views of the clear harbor sky. At sunset, the gentle glow is incredibly therapeutic. As night falls, Yokohama Port lights up brilliantly, and the Ferris wheel's spectacular lights create a magical ambiance. You can enjoy a front-row view of the nightscape right from your bed, and the atmosphere is simply immersive. The overall hardware reflects the quality of an established five-star hotel. The decor is elegant and luxurious, and maintenance is impeccable, showing no signs of age. The bedding in the room was soft and comfortable, and the soundproofing was excellent, ensuring a very quiet night's sleep. The bathroom had a separate wet and dry area, and the toiletries were high-quality and thoughtfully detailed, making for a very comfortable stay. Service was consistently excellent throughout. The front desk efficiently handled check-in with professionalism, and the staff were polite, gentle, and responsive. Luggage storage and room service were meticulous, making the entire experience feel secure and dignified. The hotel's public areas are clean and grand, perfect for strolling, taking photos, or simply relaxing. The only minor drawback is that since the hotel has been open for a while, some of the facilities have a more traditional style, not the trendy minimalist look. However, the overall maintenance is superb, and it doesn't detract from the living experience. Overall, the InterContinental Yokohama Grand is a benchmark hotel that's a must-stay when visiting Yokohama. With its unbeatable views, killer location, and reliably high-quality service, it's highly recommended for couples, families, or independent travelers. I'll definitely choose this place again on my next trip to Yokohama.

The food spread was fantastic, with a free flow of salmon, beef, and ice cream! My friend even ordered an extra bottle of beer. It's a two-meal-per-night stay, and while there isn't much commercial activity around, so evenings are pretty quiet with nothing much to browse, we mostly just enjoyed the hot springs. It's not like staying in the town center where you can explore many places at night, but other than that, there are no real downsides – I personally quite enjoyed it. If you're planning to take the cable car back with your rail pass, make sure to time it right and get there before 5 PM, or you'll miss it!

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.

The location is fantastic! It's just a 5-minute walk south from Keikyu Kawasaki Station, and right next to JR Kawasaki Station on the south side. The hotel is in the same building as the LeFront shopping mall. From the hotel's second-floor elevator, you can take a skywalk over the train tracks; turn right to reach the JR Kawasaki Station concourse, or left to get to Muza Kawasaki Symphony Hall. You can also exit the hotel on the ground floor and walk for just two to three minutes. It's right next to Atre shopping mall, which has supermarkets of all sizes, and a huge variety of restaurants. Azona is also very close by. The hotel provides a good selection of complimentary toiletries and skincare products. You can also store your luggage here, and the staff are all incredibly friendly and helpful. While the room size is small, its convenient location and excellent service make it perfect for someone like me traveling with a child and minimal luggage.

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!

This is one of the best places I stayed! Thank you very much! The hotel is located a little bit far from the train station and I think this is the only downside (and I didn't suffer from it). The price is expensive, but it is worth it because 2 meals are included, and they have great service. The staff is from Nepal so if someone comes here and expects Japanese, they may be disappointed by that. But in fact, this is way better as they don't have those strict Japanese traditions and are more flexible for guests. The atmosphere and hospitality make you feel like you are at home. There are 2 buildings and I was in the second building that has a big onsen. The names of guests are written on a board, so you get a feeling they were waiting for you. I was checking in a few minutes after check-in hours (18:06 or so), so I was nervous. Fortunately, I didn't have any problems with that. Also, I didn't expect any meal for dinner because of my previous bad experience with the Japanese staff. And then I was surprised when the owner said that the dinner time starts at 6 PM! So I had the meal after 30 minutes. This is really convenient for tourists because you can see Hakone and come to the hotel on the last train from Gora station (that's what I did) and then you will have a great dinner! After I finished the meal, they gave me a dessert! Overall, it felt like a regal banquet. I really like it! After that it was already dark, so I walked around the hotel and took pictures. It looks nice and comfortable. Then I needed a rest before the public bath. The owner said I can use onsen any time I want, it is 24 hours open. I didn't check that though I used it 10-11 PM. There are 2 pools with serum and some minerals from the volcano. The pool inside is hotter and more comfortable. The pool outside is almost body temperature. Actually the water from the spring is hotter, but the water temperature in the pool decreased. There were private baths, but I was tired and didn't go to check them. After you finish bathing, you can drink cool water from the cooler near the entrance. The breakfast that was included in my plan and the staff again pleased me with that. I like the variety and quality of the food. After checking-out I had a free transfer to the train station. So, I had a wonderful experience with this hotel, and it is one of the reasons I want to visit Hakone again. Thank you very much!!!

I've always wanted to try a capsule hotel, and I finally got to yesterday! It's about a 7-8 minute walk from Yokohama Station, with a Veloce cafe right next door. It's also super close to drugstores and shopping malls. The front desk staff was very nice.