Mount View Hakone Hotel

The bus stops right outside the ryokan. Traveling from Osaka, we took the Tokaido Shinkansen to Odawara Station, then the Romancecar to Hakone-Yumoto Station. You can drop your luggage there before noon and have it transferred to your hotel, so if you arrive early, you can explore around the station before check-in. The customer service was fantastic. Everyone at the front desk and in the dining room was welcoming and accommodating, and most, if not all, spoke English. They can accommodate food allergens and will work with you before check-in. We stayed in the Fuyou room, which included breakfast, dinner, and a reservation for the private outdoor hot spring. Our room had an outdoor bathtub and shower, tatami mats, and futons on a raised bed(?) that were comfortable. There's also a public bath for everyone to use, with an outdoor hot spring too.

The food was a real standout. We booked dinner and breakfast, and this was the only hotel I could find offering both vegan and gluten-free meals. Before booking, we emailed that one meal needed to be vegan and the other vegan and gluten-free. The hotel understood our cross-contamination concerns. The portions were generous, the spread was huge and beautifully presented, and the Japanese kaiseki food had been adapted for a vegan diet. The dishes were simple but absolutely delicious, and I couldn't finish mine. I'd give the meal experience 10/10. My sister enjoyed her gluten-free meal too, especially the dips and salad dressings. The service staff were incredibly kind and responsive. We also booked a hot spring bath, which was peaceful, quiet, impeccably clean, and so relaxing that a night's worth of travel tiredness seemed to melt away. Staff spoke decent English, explained the rules clearly, and checked that we understood. The hotel has a traditional ryokan feel. We had a wonderfully peaceful one-night stay at Hakone Mount View. It's easy to find, though a little away from the main Hakone area.

The room is still clean and comfortable, and the onsen is great for a refresh. But this wasn't my first stay, and the front desk service and breakfast quality have definitely dropped. The front desk felt unfriendly and unwelcoming compared with before, while the room cleaning staff were friendlier. I'd still recommend the place if you don't mind that front desk experience, but consider skipping the kaiseki breakfast. It doesn't feel worth it anymore.

LOVED our stay at Mount View! It was a short bus ride up the mountain from the station, and the bus stopped right outside the hotel. Getting to other places was easy too, including Gora by bus and the local food markets A Coop and Lawson.