Hakone Kowakien Hotel

This was by far the best stay during our trip to Japan, located in Hakone. The room was extremely clean and comfortable, and the front desk offered Mandarin-speaking service during check-in. The courtyard outside the room was also very lovely, though we couldn't explore more due to the rain. The hotel's buffet breakfast and dinner were exceptionally delicious with a great variety, and the dining area was very well-organized. The complimentary shuttle bus to and from the station made getting around very convenient. The whole family was unanimous in their happiness with the stay.

The hotel boasts an open-air public bath on the 6th floor with stunning mountain views of Hakone, offering fantastic nightscapes and starry skies. Both breakfast and dinner are buffet-style, featuring a wide array of Chinese, Western, and Japanese dishes, including sashimi, seafood, grilled meats, and desserts, all accompanied by an all-you-can-drink beverage selection.

The environment is great and the hotel is very new. However, it's a family-friendly resort, so there are many children. I thought it wouldn't be too noisy coming in September, but there were still kids crying while soaking in the hot springs. So, if you prefer peace and quiet, this might not be the place for you. The hotel service was good; I left something in the hotel fridge and when I called, they had Chinese-speaking staff. I explained the situation and picked it up the next day. Transportation is very convenient with many buses right outside. The hotel also has a free shuttle bus to Gora station.

The room was very clean, and the hot spring bath was really comfortable. It's conveniently located near other attractions, so I'd definitely stay here again. I was very satisfied with the hotel's service. In the evening, there's a lovely view of the sky lanterns, and below that, a garden where you can take a stroll. There's also a FamilyMart convenience store right next door. There's a buffet in the evening, but the selection isn't very extensive.

An amazing experience! It's also very close to all the attractions.

The hotel room was small; it was difficult to fit two suitcases in a double room, which wasn't worth over a thousand. The hotel view was also just average. The hot springs were nice, and breakfast was plentiful, though you had to queue for a number first. The water bar offered very little.

Since it was a weekend in July, the room premium was very high, making it poor value for money. It's nestled deep in the mountains, quite isolated. Similar to the InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland (Shimao Quarry Hotel), its ground level is equivalent to the fourth floor of a typical building. Breakfast is mandatory, and even early on a weekend (7 AM), it was still very crowded. There's a convenience store at the entrance. The front desk staff's English wasn't great; we relied entirely on translation software. Upon checkout, an incorrect charge was mistakenly added to my bill.

The environment is amazing, and the dinner buffet is incredible – it was the best value-for-money hotel on my six-day trip. I especially have to mention the dinner; definitely book it, the quality is excellent. The private onsen I booked for the evening was also very clean. Although a bit small, it offered good privacy, so it was still great. It's a shame it rained on the day I stayed, so I didn't get a chance to explore the hotel. I'll definitely book here again next time I visit Hakone.

Had a wonderful 2-night stay in Hakone! Having breakfast and dinner at the hotel saved us a lot of hassle. While you're at Owakudani, make sure to try the famous local specialty, the black eggs. There's a small stall tucked away in the back of the supermarket behind Owakudani that sells them – 4 hot eggs for 500 yen. They say eating them adds years to your life, haha!