The Fujiya Hotel

The massage at the hotel spa was divine. My husband and I booked a 60-minute full-body treatment, and I'd definitely reserve ahead of time. It was worth it. We stayed three nights at Fujiya Hotel. Our spacious room had a private onsen with natural hot spring water, and staff helped with our luggage when we arrived, making check-in easy. The private bath water comes out around 60°C, though, and took nearly three hours to cool to a comfortable temperature. I never got to use it, so I went to the public onsen on the 6th floor instead, which was a great choice. Having both options made the stay more relaxing. The hotel is historic, and you can feel that in its atmosphere. Past guests include Albert Einstein and Charlie Chaplin. The interiors and our room had an old-fashioned, nostalgic elegance that I found charming. The huge building is almost maze-like, with long corridors where it's easy to lose your way. It was a memorable, restful stay.

Leaving after just one night was hard. The trip to Hakone from up north had been frustrating, but once we reached Fujiya, it felt worth it. It has the feel of one of the world's truly unique hotels, and I wish we could've stayed longer. The whole complex sits on the east side of Hakone's main loop and even has its own bus stop. The atmosphere was immaculate, with museum-style panels in the hallways telling the history of each building. The staff were elegant and dignified. They also held our bags after checkout, which made it much easier to see more of Hakone before heading on to the next part of our vacation.

The rooms were lovely, though a bit pricey, and all the staff were incredible. Breakfast was very good. We tried dinner one night as well: the food was good and the atmosphere great, but the portions were small and it cost a lot. We knew that going in, so it wasn't a surprise. I'd love to return someday.

We were looking for peace and a chance to rest, and the onsen was wonderful for unwinding. The gardens were lovely to walk around, breakfast was delicious, and the service was excellent. This was a great break after several busy days in Tokyo. The old-world hotel is set in the mountains, and its rating really depends on what you're after. There's little nearby to explore on foot, but a taxi to the village opens up more to do. If you're after nightlife, this isn't the place. I was surprised that my three kids in their twenties enjoyed it so much. We're heading to the busy nights in Koyto now, so we all appreciated the rest.