The Best Hotels to Book in Hakone, Japan

If your idea of a Japanese escape involves taking a dip in a classic onsen hot bath, look no further than this lovely hotel, which sits on one of Hakone’s 17 hot springs. Choose from a public or private bath, with restorative sodium chloride water, then dine on tempura and sashimi at the buffet restaurant. Finally, retire to your room, where the modern design draws on traditional Japanese aesthetics.

Shrouded in serene forest lies this extremely stylish, adults-only hotel, where life centres on the atmospherically lit, industrial chic bar. Enjoy a sake or Japanese whisky as you take in views over the mountains, before relaxing in your exquisitely designed room, where sleek wood and rugged stone celebrate the natural beauty of Hakone. If you fancy a further tipple, opt for Room K, which includes an unlimited supply of Krug Champagne.

The laid-back, softly lit guest rooms at this hotel feature Japanese screens, futon beds and brush-stroked wall art depicting mountains, rivers and pavilioned countryside houses. A dip in the thermal waters of the HARNN Spa is another quintessentially Japanese experience, while the fun Riverside restaurant and bar overlooks the forest hiking trails which begin on the river’s opposite bank.

Once an aristocratic home, this retreat in the highlands outside Hakone remains a place to enjoy the finer things in life. French cuisine meets Japanese cookery technique at the restaurant with exquisite results, while moss-covered rocks hem in a gorgeously Zen hot spring spa. Guest rooms have deep carpets and plush furnishings – including reclining easy chairs in some rooms – and some boast panoramic views of the mountains and forests.

The Hyatt Regency portfolio is synonymous with style, quality and luxury, and this hotel, set in Hakone’s forested mountains, does nothing to dispel that notion. The sleek, minimalist rooms combine lovely views over Mount Myojyogatake or Mount Fuji and traditional low-rise seating areas with modern amenities like jet bathtubs, while a special sushi dining room pairs exquisite fresh seafood with the country’s finest sake.

There’s a relaxing, Zen-like feel to the rooms at this modern hotel, which sits near Gora Park in the mountain hot springs town of Hakone. That’s particularly true of the superior rooms, with wraparound floor-to-ceiling windows and an outdoor bath and terrace; a communal bath is also available for all guests to use, harnessing the natural thermal power of Hakone’s spring waters.

The alpine rivers and hot springs of Hakone, along with the stunning views of mighty Mount Fuji, have long inspired artists, musicians and creative types of all kinds, and the creators of this boutique hotel were no exception. An art gallery is enclosed within the hotel’s walls, while regular live music performances are staged in various parts of the property. A traditional onsen bathhouse is also available for guests to ramp up the relaxation further.

In the majestic shadow of Mount Fuji, views of which can be enjoyed from a garden alive with flowers and pine trees, this hotel is one for lovers of the great outdoors. Rooms make the most of this setting with large, full-length windows, and you have the choice of Western-style or Japanese, with screen walls, tatami mats and futon furniture. The outdoor area of the onsen bathhouse is a lovely place to enjoy views of Mount Fuji while you take a dip.

There’s a medley of styles on display at this hotel, which sits in the historic village of Sengokuhara on the northern fringes of the Fuji Hakone Izu National Park. Rooms exhibit a classic European style, while British afternoon teas are on offer at the café, and there’s also a steakhouse. The mountain views, though, are pure Japan – and you can enjoy them while playing tennis or a round of golf.

The exterior of this hotel, with its bamboo screens, latticed look and soft lamplight, has a classic Japanese aesthetic. This continues in the rooms, although these feature Western-style beds instead of futon furnishings. The onsen, too, is a traditional affair, with lovely stone bathtubs fed by Hakone’s natural hot springs. There’s also a free bar – one of the hotel’s most popular features.