nol hakone myojindai

nol hakone myojindai: A Serene Michelin Key Selected Onsen Retreat in Hakone

nol hakone myojindai, a Michelin Key Selected property, consistently receives high praise for its tranquil ambiance, exceptional service, and luxurious onsen facilities, offering a truly memorable and relaxing escape in the scenic Hakone region.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus among guests is overwhelmingly positive. nol hakone myojindai frequently earns exceptional ratings, with scores like 9.0 to 10 on Booking.com, 8.9 on Agoda, and 9.7/10 on Trip.com. Guests describe their stays as "excellent," "stunning," "memorable," and a "luxurious onsen getaway," highlighting the profound beauty and quality of the experience.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud several aspects of nol hakone myojindai:

• Onsen Facilities: Both the private in-room onsens and the communal thermal pools are frequently described as "divine," "incredible," and a highlight of the stay.
• Exceptional Service: The staff is consistently praised for being "incredibly hospitable," "professional," "friendly," "helpful," and having "excellent English communication."
• Stunning Design & Ambiance: The property's design is noted as beautiful, elegant, clean, modern, tranquil, and soothing. Guests appreciate the "handsome European style interior" and the "calming cocoons with softened, curvilinear motifs and natural wood accents" in the guestrooms.
• High-Quality Rooms: The rooms are frequently described as "huge," "beautiful," "spacious," "very comfortable," and "well-appointed."
• Gourmet Dining: The breakfast and dinner experiences receive high marks for being "exceptional," "delicious," "healthy," and "gourmet."

3. Room Quality

The accommodations at nol hakone myojindai are a major draw. Rooms are consistently referred to as "huge," "spacious," "beautiful," "clean," "modern," and "very comfortable." A significant number of rooms boast private, open-air, spring-fed onsen baths on their balconies, offering a personal and relaxing experience. Beds are highlighted for their comfort. Standard amenities in each room include air conditioning, complimentary toiletries, hairdryers, flat-screen TVs, refrigerators, and free WiFi. The design incorporates "softened, curvilinear motifs and natural wood accents," contributing to a calming atmosphere. Available room types include Standard Twin, Standard Twin & Tatami with Japanese Style Bed, and various Deluxe and Superior Twin Rooms with private hot springs.

4. Dining Experience

The dining at nol hakone myojindai is a key element of the guest experience:

• Breakfast: Guests enjoy a "healthy," "yummy," "fresh," and "delightful" buffet breakfast with a variety of options, served in an appealing dining room with views of the hotel grounds and mountains.
• Dinner: The dinner is frequently described as "exceptional," "gourmet," and "very thought out," often featuring Italian-style multi-course meals that are both delicious and filling. The hotel has also accommodated dietary needs, such as gluten-free meals.
• Lobby Refreshment Area: The lobby offers a refreshment area that guests appreciate.
• Limitations: A common point of feedback is the limited dining options beyond the hotel's restaurant. Guests note the necessity of advance dinner reservations and the lack of nearby alternative restaurants or room service. Some have mentioned having only three choices for dinner: the restaurant's set menu, buying food in Gora, or instant ramen from the hotel's store.

5. Service & Staff

The hospitality at nol hakone myojindai is a standout feature. The staff consistently receives high praise for being "incredibly hospitable," "professional," "friendly," and "helpful," with "excellent English communication." Interactions with drivers are also noted as particularly warm and pleasant. However, some guests have reported issues with pre-arrival communication, specifically concerning ignored emails regarding dinner and shuttle bus reservations, which sometimes necessitated international phone calls.

6. Location & Accessibility

nol hakone myojindai is nestled in a "beautiful" and "serene" mountainous location, offering a perfect environment for relaxation and enjoying nature.

• Public Transport: The hotel is approximately 5.6 miles from Hakone-Yumoto Station. While accessible by Hakone Tozan Bus to Myojindai Station (followed by a 20-minute walk), the mountain roads are steep, making a taxi from Gora Station (about 15 minutes) or the hotel's shuttle bus highly recommended, especially with luggage.
• Hotel Shuttle: The hotel provides a shuttle service to and from Gora Station, but it has limited hours and needs to be pre-arranged.
• Driving: Free self-parking is available on-site, making it a convenient choice for guests who drive.
• Local Attractions: While somewhat secluded, the hotel is within 2 miles of attractions such as Hakone Gora Park, Hakone Museum of Art, and The Hakone Open-Air Museum.
• Isolation: The secluded location means guests are largely reliant on the hotel for dining, as leaving for quick bites or exploring nearby eateries safely, especially at night, can be challenging without personal transport or the pre-arranged shuttle.

7. Value & Pricing

As a Michelin Key Selected property offering a luxurious onsen experience, nol hakone myojindai's pricing reflects its high-end offerings. Rates can start from around $158, with deluxe rooms and specific dates often ranging from $338 to over $1000 per night. While generally seen as a worthwhile expenditure for the experience, some aggregate review summaries indicate a "Value for Price" score of 3.5/5, suggesting that while it's a good value, it might not be considered an outstanding bargain by all.

8. Common Complaints

While overwhelmingly positive, some recurring issues or criticisms include:

• Limited Dinner Options: The necessity of pre-booking dinner and the lack of alternative dining establishments nearby, coupled with no room service, can be challenging for guests.
• Transportation Limitations: The hotel's somewhat remote location and the limited frequency of the shuttle service can make independent exploration or spontaneous dining off-site difficult without a personal vehicle.
• Pre-Arrival Communication: A few guests reported difficulties with the hotel's responsiveness to email inquiries regarding dinner and shuttle bookings, leading to frustration and extra costs for international calls.
• Tattoo Policy: One guest expressed disappointment about being unable to use the communal onsen due to having tattoos, a common restriction in traditional Japanese onsen facilities.
• Minor Noise Issues: Some guests noted hearing steps from rooms above or conversations from adjacent private onsens due to the proximity of the terraces.
• Cleanliness: While overall cleanliness is highly praised, one aggregate review summary mentioned minor "issues with cleanliness" in a broad overview.

Sources

1. booking.com
2. agoda.com
3. trip.com
4. kayak.com
5. booking.com
6. tablethotels.com
7. hotels.com
8. expedia.co.jp
9. klook.com
10. itravelblog.net
11. expedia.com