There was a very tempting swimming pool, but we could not make it in time to try it, because they close it at 17.30. The onsen was open till midnight, but again we did not try it because it was separate (men from women). The concierge was kind enough to book us a visit to the one across the street. We just stayed overnight, and took a short walk around after the tour — there is not much to see in the location of the hotel itself rather than those generally magnificent views of the area.

Grounds were beautiful yet disappointed that only top half was open; the rest was being 'repaired'. As this was a draw card for the hotel is would have been nice to know this in advance. Also would have been nice to know the pool was empty of water, despite it being summer, when one would assume this was open. That's 2 things we didn't get but paid for nonetheless. The common areas inside were well maintained and glamorous. The room was a good size and well presented, with the great view over the gardens and the valley below. Amazingly the bath/shower appeared to be the original which must be at least 40 years old. The shower rose was so blocked that water did come out was like needle jabs on the skin, such was the pressure. The eaves outside the bathroom window were quite literally falling apart, and the rest of the exterior of the building was badly in need of repair and painting, so their allocation of resources was clearly uneven. Don't be fooled by the photos of many and varied spars on the hotels website. it's a complex next door you have to pay at least $20 each to use, and this is when the hotel discount is applied. This ain't free! BTW eat over at this spa place as it's typical Japan prices as the hotel buffet is a ripoff, as are all the eating/drinking places in the hotel. If we come back I'd check out Hakone area for hotels in preference to Kowakien area, as Kowakien is high priced, not such good value for money and away from the areas an overseas tourist would want to see, like Hakone Machi or Moto Hakone.

One night stay with my friend and her elderly mother.
Access is not so bad, bus stops are in front of the hotel.
The building is old though, well-mended and well-clean-up. A room we stayed was facing to the lovely garden and enough for 3 persons.
The garden is lovely, some guests told us June is the best season for green leaves, you may find fireflies flashing, if you're lucky.
Bathes are Indoor and outdoor each (no coed bath), overflowed On-sen (hot spring water). A little hotter except Japanese (XD), but it's huge relaxing time to sit in large bathes listening birds chirping, first summer breeze and babble stream.
Buffet dinner and breakfast were BINGO! Delicious variety foods (included Sushi for dinner!!) and deserts. Don't worry if you don't have Japanese foods so much.
Most of tourists from outside of Japan seemed to select a Japanese Kaiseki restaurant in the hotel.
Staffs are very friendly and helpful. The service is not to much, neither too little. Solicitous especially to elderly guests, babies and kids.

Stayed one night at this hotel as part of a package tour of the Fuji-Hakone area. The hotel is large and set on a hill that is backed by a very attractive Japanese garden. Rooms are comfortable and spacious. The hotel has several restaurants, all are very expensive and busy, attracting a largely captive group of visitors who are on tours with no easy way to access other eating choices. The hotel has spa and bathing facilties as Hakone is a spa town with hot springs and if you are so inclined there is a large bath house and water park complex across the road.