箱根本箱 — Hotel in Hakone

As a solo traveler it's difficult to find a ryokan that doesn't charge the same as a group of 2. Fortunately, this hotel offered a discount for solo stays in the suite and had availability a week before my stay.

Reading previous reviews before booking, I already knew what to expect from staying here versus a more traditional ryokan.

The room was very spacious and had both indoor and outdoor seating to relax while reading a book. The fridge was stocked with different types of juices and water. My complaint was the random side room that looked half complete (see photo) and the unpainted walls at the door entrance.

The private hot spring was amazing and just what I needed after the tons of walking I did during the trip. This is outside the hotel's control, but there was construction visible which unfortunately ruined the otherwise beautiful view. Additionally you could hear the construction in the morning. I wouldn't fault the hotel for this though.

Dinner and breakfast went beyond expectations. Every item had a story or inspiration such as representing a part of hakone or the nature around the area. The staff had translation devices to help convey the info to foreigners. My understanding is still rough but I did notice there was some info left out to help translate faster. The use of a speaker to shout kanpai at the beginning was a little funny.

As for the library, there were many books available in English and they covered many genres. I checked out books related to the hakone to get a better appreciation of the region.

My regret is that I didn't show up earlier as I could spend a whole day just reading and relaxing in the hotel.

I'm grateful to the staff for the excellent hospitality. I believe the issues I described earlier would be resolved in the future. This is a place I would like to visit again...

My recent stay at the hotel was rather bleak, lacking any standout features that would elevate the experience. NOT WORTH! The beds were adequately soft, providing a reasonable level of comfort, and the bathrooms maintained a commendable standard of cleanliness, complete with modern electric toilets. However, I encountered a notable drawback: the outdoor showers were uncomfortably cold, leading me to suspect that the hotel may be prioritizing cost-cutting measures over guest comfort.

The overall design of the hotel left much to be desired. The aesthetic was disappointingly bleak, with a stark minimalism that felt more utilitarian than inviting. One particularly perplexing feature was a room that appeared to serve no purpose other than housing a simple bench and tatami flooring. This space, devoid of charm or functionality, raised questions about the thought process behind the interior design choices. It felt as though the designers missed an opportunity to create an engaging and welcoming atmosphere that would enhance the guest experience.

In summary, while the basic amenities were sufficient for a standard stay, the hotel lacked the distinctive touches that could make it memorable. The cold showers, uninspiring decor, and impractical use of space contributed to an overall sense of disappointment. I left feeling that the establishment could greatly benefit from a comprehensive redesign and a renewed focus on guest comfort and satisfaction. Until then, I would hesitate to recommend this hotel to others seeking a more enjoyable and enriching...

Hotel was truly a small gem in the middle of Gora. A very relaxing place for book and food lover looking for onsen.

The hotel is very well decorated, a good mix between modernism and traditional (as per the food by the way) . The bookshelf is amazing with several hideouts and books it's the dream to spend a few hours reading books with a tea , juice , ice cream or cakes (complimentary).

The food is amazing, 3 nights 3 different menus each if them was 😍. The chef took you through the tokaido line with a full background story. Of note breakfast is Japanese (including tofu, soup, fish and chicken) so it can be a bit surprising for westerners.

Location is nice close to ropeway and cablecar to reach Aishi lake through the summit. (Roughly 45 minutes)

We had the private onsen on the terrace which is super nice with view on the mountain 🏔️ but on top of that the public onsen is very nice too, slightly colder than in other Japanese spot.

Finally a very special thanks to the amazing staff that was very welcoming and friendly. A special word for the Chef Aoi Nakano that was here the 3 nights and makes pasta as good as Italian chef, Hina and sorry we did not get her name the smiling Girl with the blue headband that were very helpful. The other staff was...