Hakone Suisen

Super clean and friendly staff. Decent breakfast. Enjoyed both indoor and outdoor hot spring very much.

Hakone Suisen was a peaceful hotel, and the staff was polite and discreet. After checking in we were given a brief presentation about the facility and the baths, and then we were left to explore on our own. Our room was lovely with beautiful views of the trees and surrounding hills and the fresh wheaty smell of the tatami mats. There was a refrigerator, a tea kettle with green tea, and instructions for how to set up our futons at night and how to use the public baths. This was our first time using public baths, and we were a bit nervous. They ended up being very relaxing. The hotel is small (maybe 14 rooms or so?) and we went at the least busy times (they have a guide), so we had the baths all to ourselves both times we went. We preferred the indoor bath with its "nanobubbles" and beautiful views out the window to the cement wall views and crystal clear water of the outdoor bath. The walk from the train station was short and easy. Just be sure to cross the road at the station and walk down the hill on the raised walk. Do yourself a favor and forward your luggage! Don't burden yourself toting it around the overcrowded transportation system of Hakone. We brought our own dinner which we enjoyed in the hotel dining room. They have microwaves and utensils for guests to use. We enjoyed the small European pastries the hotel served for breakfast, in addition to soup and drinks. The addition of fruit, jam, and butter would be lovely, as would a few hooks in the room.

Excellent and helpful staff. I recommend the place and definitely would go back here.