ESPACIO The Hakone Geihinkan Rin-Poh-Ki-Ryu

ESPACIO The Hakone Geihinkan Rin-Poh-Ki-Ryu: A Serene Michelin One-Key Retreat in Hakone

Nestled deep within a secluded river valley in Hakone's Miyanoshita Onsen district, ESPACIO The Hakone Geihinkan Rin-Poh-Ki-Ryu stands as a Michelin One-Key property, promising a tranquil and luxurious escape. This exclusive retreat, accessible only by a private cable car, is celebrated for its harmonious blend of serene natural surroundings, impeccable service, and refined Japanese craftsmanship.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for ESPACIO The Hakone Geihinkan Rin-Poh-Ki-Ryu is overwhelmingly positive, with an impressive overall rating of 9.8 on platforms like Agoda. Guests frequently describe their experience as unforgettable and remarkable, highlighting the elegant design and meticulous attention to detail that cultivate an atmosphere of comfort and sophistication. It is widely regarded as a secluded and upscale retreat offering quiet luxury. However, some guests, while appreciating the "soft aspects" like service and dining, have expressed that the "hard aspects" (interior elaboration) might not fully justify the premium price point.

2. Key Highlights

Guests are particularly drawn to several distinctive features of ESPACIO:

• Exclusive Seclusion: The hotel's unique location in a remote river valley, coupled with private cable car access, creates a sense of ultimate privacy and escape.
• Private Onsens: Each of the nine freestanding villas boasts exclusive access to private onsen baths, fed directly by the mineral-rich Dogashima hot spring, one of Hakone's renowned sources.
• In-Room Dining: The convenience and luxury of having all meals, including exquisite kaiseki dinners and American breakfasts, delivered directly to the villa is a significant highlight.
• Wellness Facilities: Beyond the private onsens, the property offers additional relaxation amenities such as an outdoor swimming pool with a view, a sauna, and a spa that provides a range of massage treatments.
• Refined Design: The villas showcase sophisticated expressions of traditional Japanese craftsmanship, including kumiko woodwork and karakami paper, contributing to a calm and refined ambiance.

3. Room Quality

The accommodations at ESPACIO consist of spacious One-Bedroom (65-square-meter) and Two-Bedroom (99-square-meter) villas, each featuring two sumptuous double beds. Designed for comfort and style, the rooms are well-appointed with air conditioning, private bathrooms, stone fireplaces, and sound-proof windows. Guests can enjoy mountain or river views from their private balcony or terrace, and amenities include a minibar fridge, walk-in closet, hairdryer, bidet, and separate toilet. The interiors are characterized by clean lines and warm natural textures, with traditional Japanese detailing evident in elements like kumiko woodwork and karakami paper.

4. Dining Experience

The dining experience at ESPACIO is a significant draw, with meals crafted under the supervision of the Michelin-starred Kyoto restaurant Tominokoji Yamagishi, embracing the spirit of kaiseki cuisine. The focus is on rich, seasonal bounty from Hakone, with sake pairings selected by renowned sommelier Keita Akaboshi. All meals are delivered directly to the villas, ensuring privacy and personalized hospitality. While the dinner is generally praised as delicious with good seasoning, one guest found it not entirely worth the price and more suited for smaller appetites. An American breakfast is also provided, often served in-room. However, there was a specific complaint about breakfast items being served out of order and unexpected dishes being presented despite prior communication regarding dietary preferences.

5. Service & Staff

The service and staff are frequently commended for being very friendly and helpful. Many guests highlight the excellent "soft aspects" of hospitality. The hotel's hospitality services are noted to include highly skilled butlers and an individualized approach, offering options like patterned rental yukata and unique room key photographs. Despite the general praise, one critical review mentioned that the hospitality and service quality could vary greatly depending on the individual staff member, leading to some inconsistencies.

6. Location & Accessibility

ESPACIO The Hakone Geihinkan Rin-Poh-Ki-Ryu is situated in a tranquil and secluded part of Hakone's Miyanoshita valley, enveloped by lush nature and the gentle murmurs of the Hayakawa River. The unique approach via a private cable car adds to the sense of an exclusive sanctuary. While feeling remote, the property is reasonably accessible to local attractions. Miyanoshita Train Station is approximately 80 meters away, and Kowakudani Station is a 17-minute walk. Nearby attractions include the Hakone Open-Air Museum (1.2 miles), Chisuji Falls, Hakone Kowakien Yunessun, and Hakone Gora Park.

7. Value & Pricing

As a Michelin One-Key property, ESPACIO operates at a luxury price point. Prices for a one-night stay for two adults can start from approximately $1,766.45. Guests aged 12 and above are also subject to a city tax of JPY 150 per person, per night. While many find the experience to be worth the cost due to the unique seclusion, private onsens, and high-quality dining and service, some feedback suggests that the interior aesthetics might not fully meet the high expectations set by the price for all guests, with one reviewer comparing it to a 40,000 to 50,000 yen stay in Hakone.

8. Common Complaints

While overall satisfaction is high, some recurring criticisms or potential issues include:

• Interior Design: A few guests felt that the interior design, particularly some elements like marble tables, seemed somewhat dated or less elaborate than expected for the luxury pricing, leading to a perception that the "hard aspects" did not match the "soft aspects" of the experience.
• Service Inconsistency: While generally excellent, there were reports of varying hospitality depending on the staff member, and occasional communication breakdowns, especially regarding dietary preferences for breakfast.
• Towel Replenishment: One review mentioned potential issues with towel replenishment in the rooms.
• Dining Value: Although the cuisine is highly regarded, some guests felt that the dinner, while tasty, did not fully justify its price for the portion sizes or overall experience.
• Age Restriction: The hotel has an age restriction, not permitting children 11 years old and younger.
• Tattoo Policy: While not explicitly stated for private onsens, it's a general policy in Japan that some properties do not permit guests with tattoos to use onsite public bathing facilities. Given the private nature of the onsens in the villas, this may be less of an issue, but it's worth noting for guests planning to use any shared spa facilities.

Sources

1. thehotelguru.com
2. tokyoweekender.com
3. lhw.com
4. michelin.com
5. michelin.com
6. agoda.com
7. ikyu.com
8. americanexpress.com
9. booking.com
10. expedia.com
11. hakonehotelspage.com
12. houoh.jp
13. hotels.com
14. houoh.jp