Hakone Ashinoko Hanaori（ORIX HOTELS & RESORTS）

We found the room’s view of the car park miserable. It made the room feel like a motel. And the bus ride to the hotel was very bumpy. I wish it were easier to reach. Late checkout also isn’t allowed unless you pay 3000yen. The rest felt far more like a resort than a two-star place. There are separate public onsens for men and women, plus private onsen sessions for 3000yen per 40 minutes. Guests also get a free massage chair, fancy hair dryers, and luxurious bath products. Dinner and breakfast buffets were included and had lots of well-prepared choices; dinner also offered plenty of alcohol, though you have to reserve a time slot at check-in. The lake views are lovely, and the lobby is huge and comfortable, with free coffee and iced tea. There’s a public foot onsen at lobby level, and traditional wear, including samoyas, plus slippers are available.

The buffet meals were a highlight for us. Breakfast and dinner had spectacular spreads, good quality food, and fresh sashimi. The menu changed daily, although some staples stayed the same. If you drink, their bar is great, with wine, sochu, sake, whiskey, beer, and champagne available free flow as part of the buffet. We’d recommend booking both meals. Ashinoko Hanaori is a lovely, zen-like low-rise hotel by Lake Ashi, just a stone’s throw from Togendai Port, where you can catch the sightseeing Pirate Ship. Our family of three had plenty of space in the room by Japan standards: two single beds, a very comfortable sofa bed, a coffee table and sitting area with floor cushions, and room for all three suitcases. The balcony was a nice extra for enjoying the lake view. Housekeeping kept the room very clean, and there was a good range of amenities. Yukatas and another Japanese outfit are provided for guests. There’s a large free car park, and for public transport, a bus stop is a short walk away. The hotel has free public onsen and a private one for a fee. The public bath was pretty good, with lockers and showers alongside it. We really enjoyed our stay.

The breakfast and dinner buffets didn’t change much from day to day, and our room was in the last block, about a five-minute walk back to the lobby. Minor gripes, though, and something to keep in mind if you’re staying several nights. Our room had a private open-air bath, which was a real highlight. It was spotless and spacious, with a plush bed and all the amenities we needed to feel at home. We also paid for a private onsen and thought it was well worth it, especially since we wanted to avoid the more crowded public baths. The hotel is just a three-minute walk from Togendai Station through its private passage, which is hard to beat. The lobby is calm and artfully designed, and the restaurant has the same quiet, elegant feel. Everyone we met greeted us warmly and with a smile. Between the thoughtful design, amenities, and service, it was an excellent stay, with easy station access and lovely views.

We booked a room with a private balcony bath. There was no lake view with that option, but it was lovely being able to soak whenever we wanted. We also enjoyed picking out yukata and samue to wear around the hotel and to the public baths. The whole place felt peaceful and relaxing. The hotel’s meals are buffet-style. Dinner needs to be reserved with the QR code provided at check-in, while breakfast doesn’t. The food was pretty good, though after two nights I wished dinner had more variety. The options were identical both nights. Breakfast changed a little between days, and wine, sake, and other drinks were free flow at dinner. There’s a footbath outside the lobby, a nice spot to rest your feet after a day of travel. We began our two-week Japan trip with two nights at Hanaori and had a fantastic stay. It’s a great base for sightseeing, just minutes on foot from the Hakone ropeway at Togendai and the pirate cruise departing for the other end of Lake Ashi. A free shuttle can pick you up or drop you off at Odawara station if you pre-book after reserving your room. The staff were polite, friendly, and helpful, whether giving directions, bringing hot water to the lobby, or helping a group take pictures.