Hakone Ashinoko Hanaori（ORIX HOTELS & RESORTS）

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Our only disappointment was the room. We were given the furthest ground-floor room, 101, and if we stayed again I wouldn’t accept it. However, if you prefer a closed-in garden view then this location might suit you. Personally, we didn’t enjoy it. My review reflects my personal preference. We had no issues with the other areas of the hotel. In fact, the location was great, right next to the ropeway (cable car station) and at the start and end of the Ashi Lake tour.

Hanaori is excellent. The staff were helpful and we really enjoyed the buffet and private barn in our room.

It does take about an hour of a cramped and winding busride to get to the hotel from Odawara Station, but on the other hand the bus stops right by the hotel, and once you're here you're just across the street from Togendai where both the famous ropeway and pirate ships start their tours. The hotel has a luxurious feel to it with the foot bath overlooking the lake by the lobby and the rooms feeling pretty spacious, especially the ones with a private tub on the balcony which is 10/10. The baths are great, though they aren't the hottest we've tried on our trip, they come in so many versions with both silky bath and outdoor pools where the view varies between morning and afternoon when men and women switch sides. Tattoos are allowed if you cover them up, and the hotel sells covers on the lobby if you forgot them. In some places the hotel is starting to show its age which made me sad, but it still feels like the staff cares about making your stay as perfect as possible with how smooth everything runs. We had breakfast and dinner at the hotel every day and enjoyed both, there's a good mix of Japanese and western food so everyone can find what they're looking for - be that natto or croissants.