Hakone Kowakien Hotel (solo trip)

Stopped for lunch only, so I can’t review the rooms. Buffet food was good, with both Asian and Western options. However, midway through the meal, one family in our group was asked to move from their table — allegedly reserved, though there was no sign of this. The table stayed empty for a while before anyone sat there. Poor judgement and not a welcoming approach. I hope it was a one-off incident.

Hotel location is good just next to Yunetsan and free accessible during stay. Staff were very friendly, room was cozy and not too small but noise comes in really easily. Breakfast and dinner buffet were ok, kids friendly.

I don’t understand how is Google still displaying them as 5-stars. The room and facility is obviously outdated and obviously not fitting this so called “5-stars” or its price. And just to clarify, it’s not outdated in traditional Japanese way, but outdated in 1990s holiday-inn way. We had one of our room’s phone completely not functioning, not able to even call front desk or making/receiving inte...

We arrived late at the hotel, and to our surprise, they offered us a free room upgrade—such a nice gesture! The room was quite clean and well maintained, which we appreciated. The only downside was that there wasn’t a bathtub, which felt like a bit of a letdown for such a spacious room. They do offer free breakfast, which is always a plus. As for the location—it’s not the most convenient if you ...

An absolutely beautiful stay from the moment we arrived. Our only regret? Staying for just two days! Definitely go for the dinner option—it was incredibly. The room, onsen, restaurant, and surrounding park were all stunning. A truly memorable experience.