Hakone-en Cottage West

In the evening and again in the morning, wild birds were calling, including Japanese white-eyes, with their “Ho, Hokkyo” sound. It made the place feel wonderful. If frog croaking in rice paddies bothers you, especially if you're used to the city, this probably isn't the spot for you. We stayed one night on May 21, 2024. Check-in and checkout are handled at the Prince Hotel front desk, and you can borrow a free Wi-Fi router when you check in. I saw none of the mold mentioned in some reviews. I usually bring a portable ozone generator to check cottages or bungalows, but didn't need it here, and didn't even air out the futons. At 15,000 yen all-inclusive, it seemed quite inexpensive. We prepared our own dinner and breakfast. For breakfast we bought food at a bakery in Hakone-en, and the calzone was good.

It's quiet, with a great view of Lake Ashi and Mt. Fuji, and the location is a real plus. The cottage only has the basics, though, and winter gets cold, so come prepared. The air conditioning and plumbing are old and hard to adjust. It might be a great place in summer.

The inside felt no different from a simple campsite, so for the price I really don't think it was worth it. Such a shame. We came to celebrate the anniversary of our dog's arrival, and although the cottage allows dogs, there was broken glass all around outside. We couldn't let our dog walk in the area after making the trip to stay there. We had no spare key and left our dog in the room briefly. When we got back from the shop, the door wouldn't unlock, and we were extremely worried. The front desk said they didn't have a spare and would send a repairman. It seems strange not to keep a spare key when guests might leave a dog or child in the room while they go out.

For an overnight golf trip in Hakone, I usually spend one night in a cottage. Being among all that greenery and feeling the fresh air really adds to the resort feel. Unlike the main building, the cottage lets me relax freely without anyone disturbing me.