Laforet Hakone Gora Yunosumika

The public onsen was peaceful and quiet, and I loved the experience. It felt like a scene from an anime, haha. There were lots of Japanese travelers, perhaps because I went in the off-season. The hotel and bath were both very clean. Our room had a tatami area, which was great, but the private onsen rooms were fully booked, so book well ahead if you want one, even outside peak season. We upgraded to the Tokusen meals, and they were exceptional. It wasn’t strictly traditional Japanese cooking, blending Western techniques with premium Japanese ingredients, but it was far better than the “Japanese fusion” places I’ve tried in Europe. The care and detail felt like top-tier Japanese service, almost like a premium omakase. The Hakone local sake flight was a lovely touch, and the meal service was very attentive throughout. The tablet was handy for dinner reminders and requests. They also provide yukatas, which made the ryokan stay feel more complete. The buffet breakfast didn’t stand out much, but the fruit was delicious, and we had a stunning view of Mount Fuji while eating.

Our room looked like the one on the website and was nice, but there was no view. We stayed two nights in the “new wing.” When we arrived yesterday morning, we had to drive from the main building to the next one. Only one staff member was there, and he didn’t speak English. He told us to leave the bags at the entrance, then we had to carry them from the car and park it ourselves. At check-in, there was also just one person at reception. The hotel looks pleasant from the photos, and the main building was much nicer. There, you need to take off your shoes, lock them in the shoe locker, and walk barefoot to the dining room, unless you notice the wrap socks at reception by the entrance. Meal times for breakfast and dinner had to be booked on the room’s electronic tablet. Amenities were very limited: one towel and one regular coffee per person, and anything else costs extra. That includes things like a toothbrush or comb. We got just one towel each, so the same towel had to do for showering and the hot tub. The hot water took a short while to come through, then lasted no more than 25 seconds before turning cold, so wash your face quickly. The food was alright, but extras cost more. My advice is to bring what you need and make sure you can speak Japanese. I’m not posting photos since the owners already have all the needed ones online.

We had a good two-night stay and the room was roomy, with two double beds and three futons for our group of four. There was space for a fourth futon, which would’ve been useful. The private onsen on the balcony was fantastic, and everyone loved it. Breakfast was a varied Japanese and Western buffet, and dinner had a good selection of well-presented, well-cooked dishes. Restaurant service was good. Reception didn’t feel as strong: when I asked them to book a taxi to the station, they couldn’t do it and didn’t keep me updated. Check-in itself was quick and smooth, with no wait. It’s a good base for visiting Lake Ashi, the volcanic springs, and Hakone.

Dinner at the hotel costs 8k yen++ and is a fine dining meal. It’s worth it if you have the budget. Breakfast was okay, though there wasn’t much variety. There’s no AC in winter, just a heater. If you prefer cooler air, the windows open. At night there was a strong sulfur smell, maybe from the nearby onsen, so we had to open a window. The room had a private onsen and it felt nice. There’s also a public bath and a shop for snacks, noodles, and drinks. Check-in was easy, but there’s an extra 150 yen per person onsen tax. You get a yukata instead of pajamas. If you sleep on the tatami, there isn’t an extra pillow for it.