Yumoto Fujiya Hotel

This was the best hotel I stayed at during my Chinese New Year trip to Japan, though it was also the most expensive. The hotel is right by the Hakone-Yumoto station exit, just across the little red bridge, which is incredibly convenient for families with luggage or young children. The hotel itself is comparable to a 4- to 5-star hotel in China. Both the service and facilities were excellent. They offer both private and public onsen baths. The private bath costs 2000 yen for 45 minutes, while the public one is free. We opted for the private bath. We arrived at the hotel at noon, dropped off our luggage, booked our private bath slot, and then went out to explore. The hotel even separates luggage storage for check-in and check-out, which is a nice touch. In the afternoon, you can explore the street in front of Hakone-Yumoto station, check out transportation options for the next day, and enjoy some local food. Of course, if you're short on time, you can also just drop your bags and hop on a train to start your journey. The room was also very spacious. We booked a triple room, and it was the biggest room I've stayed in during all my trips to Japan over the past few years. I must particularly mention that on our first afternoon, someone in our group was feeling unwell with a headache and vomiting. We approached the front desk before 2 PM, hoping to check in early and let them rest. The front desk staff were incredibly enthusiastic and processed our early check-in immediately. Another thing that happened was I realized I'd lost my wireless Bluetooth earphones after returning to Tokyo, and I suspected they might have been left at the hotel. Since I didn't have a phone number, I contacted the hotel via email. The very next day, hotel customer service replied. They not only looked for them in our room but also searched in the hotel's public areas. Although they weren't found, I was still very satisfied with the service of the Japanese hotel staff. I would definitely choose this hotel again for my next trip to Hakone. Also, a tip for everyone: this area perfectly combines liveliness and tranquility. Other places, in my opinion, are either too far (requiring long train rides) or too desolate.

Second time staying here. It's very conveniently located for sightseeing and getting back to Tokyo. The food wasn't as good as last time, probably due to rising prices in Japan. Service was satisfactory. Next time, I'll probably skip booking meals.