Hakone Kowakien Tenyu

Hakone Kowakien Tenyu, nestled in Hakonemachi, Ashigarashimo-gun, Japan, is a distinguished Michelin Key Selected property renowned for its blend of authentic Japanese hospitality and natural surroundings. It offers a sanctuary-like experience away from city life, emphasizing relaxation and connection with nature.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

Hakone Kowakien Tenyu generally receives overwhelmingly positive feedback, with many guests describing their stay as "exceptional" and "outstanding." It boasts an average rating of 9.3/10 on Trip.com and 9.6/10 on Hotels.com, based on thousands of reviews. The prevailing sentiment is one of deep relaxation, comfort, and appreciation for the unique onsen experience.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud several aspects of Hakone Kowakien Tenyu:

• Onsen Facilities: The highlight for many is the abundance of hot spring baths. All guest rooms feature a private open-air, spring-fed bath, and there are also spectacular indoor and outdoor public onsens, including an "infinite horizon view" bath on the 6th floor. The public onsens are described as beautiful, invigorating, and relaxing.
• Design & Ambiance: The hotel blends traditional and modern Japanese aesthetics, creating a soothing and inviting atmosphere. The beautiful Japanese garden is also frequently mentioned as a peaceful and tranquil space.
• Service: The staff are consistently praised for their warmth, attentiveness, professionalism, and helpfulness, going above and beyond to assist guests.
• Views: Many rooms and the public onsens offer magnificent mountain views, contributing to the serene experience.

3. Room Quality

The rooms at Hakone Kowakien Tenyu are described as spacious, elegant, and comfortable, featuring stylish Japanese decor. A standout feature is the private open-air onsen bath available in every room, offering privacy and a truly relaxing experience. While generally well-maintained, a few recent reviews have noted some furniture looking a little tired or rooms appearing slightly dated in certain areas, despite the lobby and other public spaces seeming newly renovated. Rooms come equipped with air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, minibars, refrigerators, electric kettles, and private bathrooms with complimentary bath amenities.

4. Dining Experience

The dining experience at Hakone Kowakien Tenyu receives mixed but generally positive reviews. Many guests praise the dinner buffet for its exquisiteness, fresh ingredients, and wide variety of Japanese and Western-style dishes, including seafood and crab. Breakfast is also frequently highlighted as excellent, with a great selection. Some guests particularly enjoyed the teppanyaki dinner. However, some recent criticisms mention that the food, particularly the buffet, can be extremely salty or not consistently high quality across all dishes, with limited options for vegetarians. One reviewer noted that dinner was advertised as kaiseki but was a buffet, which didn't feel as special as hoped.

5. Service & Staff

The service at Hakone Kowakien Tenyu is consistently rated as exceptional. Guests frequently commend the staff for being warm, attentive, professional, friendly, and incredibly helpful at every touchpoint. Examples include staff assisting with lost luggage and providing comprehensive information about local attractions and transportation.

6. Location & Accessibility

The ryokan is situated in a tranquil area facing magnificent mountains, offering a serene escape. Its location is considered convenient for accessing local attractions. Hakone Kowakien Yunessun is a short 3-minute walk away, and the Hakone Open-Air Museum is about a 17-minute walk or 5-minute drive. Hakone Gora Park is a 6-minute bus ride, and Chisuji Falls is a 13-minute walk. The property offers a free shuttle service, and a concierge is available to provide information on getting to attractions. While public transportation is accessible (Kowakidani Station is a 15-minute walk), some guests experienced difficulties or long walks if they got off at the wrong bus stop.

7. Value & Pricing

Hakone Kowakien Tenyu is generally considered to be on the pricier side, but many guests feel that the service, comfort, serenity, and overall experience make it "truly worth every bit." Average prices range from approximately $454 for a weeknight to $539 for a weekend night. May is typically the cheapest month to stay, while August is the most expensive.

8. Common Complaints

While largely positive, some recurring criticisms include:

• Food Quality/Variety: As mentioned, some guests found the food, particularly the buffet, to be overly salty or of inconsistent quality. Vegetarian options can be limited, especially at breakfast.
• Room Condition: A few reviews noted that some room furniture or certain areas of the rooms might appear slightly dated.
• Crowds/Noise: Some guests, particularly those seeking a more exclusive, intimate ryokan experience, found the hotel to be large (150 rooms) and occasionally noisy due to children.
• Additional Charges: One guest mentioned a cover charge for the bar, even for staying guests, as a minor complaint.
• Accessibility from Transit: While generally convenient, navigating to the hotel from certain bus stops can involve steep hills or confusion, as noted by some guests.

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