Hatago Kintoen

The food was a real highlight. Dinner and breakfast were beautifully presented, delicious, and focused on seasonal vegetables. Some dishes might be challenging for people who prefer familiar Western flavours, though you can let them know about dietary needs in advance. Our tatami room was pleasant, the futons comfortable, and the lounge had a lovely atmosphere. The onsen facilities are a little dated, but very clean and still enjoyable. The private onsen was nice and reasonably priced. Staff were thoughtful and helpful throughout. We wished we'd stayed longer, it was a trip highlight. I'd rate it 4.5 and recommend it. Keep in mind, accommodation prices seem to vary a lot depending on booking date, lead time, and website, which can affect the value.

Getting up the hill from the station takes some effort. It’s about a 10-minute walk to the station and 15 minutes back to the hotel. The route around town on Google Maps is less steep and only adds about five minutes. With lots of luggage, I’d take a taxi, it was around 1,800 yen and felt reasonable. At check-in, the staff brought my bags in and welcomed me warmly. English worked fine, and I felt looked after right away. My room was clean, the beds were wonderfully comfortable, and the private onsen was a great way to relax after a busy day in Hakone. I tried the Kaiseki dinner and really enjoyed it. The yukatans were comfortable too. I also liked the cosy lounge, where tea and coffee were complimentary. There’s a vending machine with beer, highballs, and soft drinks at reasonable extra cost. The one small thing I could have used was more towels. My room had only one bathing towel and none for the sink, which seemed a bit sparse with the private bath and shower. But when I asked, fresh towels arrived right away, so it wasn’t much of a problem. I had such a wonderful stay and wish I'd booked a third night. I’d love to come back.

We loved lounging around in the traditional robes and trying both the public bath and the private onsen, which cost 2,200 yen for 45 minutes. Guides were provided, so it was easy to join in without feeling overwhelmed. The lounge was another favourite, with complimentary tea and coffee and a beautiful view. We stayed in a traditional Japanese room and found the beds really comfortable. Everyone was so welcoming, thank you to the staff for making it such a lovely experience. I would have liked a room with its own onsen, but it was beyond our budget. Since we only had one night, we booked dinner elsewhere in Hakone. If we’d stayed longer, I would have wanted to try the meals here too.

The food was incredible, and all the facilities were well looked after. Staff greeted us warmly and were very polite. I found the private onsen especially worth booking for a relaxing soak, though I enjoyed the public onsen as well.