Sengokuhara Shinanoki Ichinoyu

Service: The hotel staff were frequently described as friendly, attentive, and helpful, with some capable of speaking English and Chinese. Smooth check-in/out processes and efficient communication were appreciated.(based on 37 reviews)

The hotel is easily accessible by bus T or L (bus stop is near the train station Hakone-Yumoto). You can leave your bags in the hotel (check-in hours are limited) and go exploring. The hotel grounds are small, but our comfortable two-story room with its own onsen allowed us to relax in a private setting and recharge after a busy day of hiking in the mountains. I liked the public onsen less, as the contemplation and tranquility were greatly hampered by the noise from the road, which could be heard even late in the evening (the main public transport stops running at 6 pm). It was nice to immerse ourselves in the traditional vibe, wear yukatas, and try Japanese cuisine for breakfast and dinner (we liked dinner better). The waiter was a little awkward (he kept dropping things), but nice. We didn't understand his English very well, but there were instructions in English that helped us figure out how to cook everything. I recommend staying for at least three full days to avoid rushing through everything like we did. Be sure to consider the operating hours of public transportation, as you'll be very dependent on it. The two-day Hakone Pass paid for itself many times over. The open-air art museum was a lasting impression; it's definitely worth a visit!