The Prince Hakone Lake Ashinoko

The hotel offers a serene retreat, distinguished by its picturesque lakeside location that often provides breathtaking views of Mount Fuji. Guests consistently highlight the exceptional Onsen facilities and the spacious rooms as key features contributing to a memorable stay. The hotel's unique circular architecture, designed by Togo Murano, adds a distinctive charm, though some note its classic, older feel. This destination is particularly well-suited for couples seeking a romantic and tranquil escape, families looking for comfortable accommodations and nearby activities, and sightseers eager to explore Hakone's natural beauty and cultural landmarks. For those desiring a peaceful getaway, the hotel's quiet ambiance is ideal. To enhance your visit, consider requesting a room with a direct Mount Fuji view and be sure to take advantage of the convenient shuttle services to explore the surrounding area.

Facilities & Amenities
Guests frequently commend the hotel's extensive Onsen facilities, describing them as excellent, large, and incredibly relaxing, often featuring both indoor and outdoor baths, a mist sauna, and a plunge pool. The hotel provides a highly convenient shuttle service that transports guests to and from Odawara Station and Motohakone, greatly assisting with accessibility in this somewhat remote area. While some guests find the hotel's layout a bit maze-like, its unique architecture is also appreciated. Additional amenities include ping pong tables for recreation, a souvenir shop, and a broader shopping area nearby. Guests can also enjoy proximity to an aquarium and the option for bike rentals to explore the scenic surroundings. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property, ensuring guests remain connected.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
The hotel rooms are consistently praised for their spaciousness, offering ample room for comfort, a notable feature in Japan. Guests frequently mention the comfortable beds and the overall cleanliness of the accommodations, which are generally well-maintained despite the hotel's age. Many rooms boast balconies that provide scenic views, and all include a private bathroom. In-room amenities such as a Nespresso coffee machine and provided pajamas and slippers enhance the guest experience. However, some guests have noted that the decor feels outdated, particularly in the bathrooms, with some mentioning an "avocado green" aesthetic or an old bathtub. Occasional issues like noisy rooms (hearing footsteps from above), moldy bathrooms, hard drawers, or a slight musty smell have been reported. Some also experienced air conditioning issues or mosquitoes if windows were opened.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel offers diverse dining experiences, with the breakfast buffet consistently receiving high praise for its extensive and delicious selection of both Japanese and Western options. The Lakeside Grill is noted for its varied buffet, including popular items like roast beef and tempura, though some guests found its dinner pricing high for the value. The French restaurant and Japanese restaurant are frequently lauded for their authentic, high-quality cuisine, providing a more refined dining atmosphere. However, a common point of contention is the expensive nature of dinner options across all hotel restaurants, with some guests feeling compelled to dine on-site due to the remote location and early closing times of external establishments. Some also reported limited menu choices for specific dietary preferences or mixed feedback on buffet quality, including cold items. Room service is available, with recent improvements in menu variety, though it can also be costly.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's lakeside location is a significant draw, offering stunning and tranquil surroundings, often accompanied by Mount Fuji views from various vantage points. Its proximity to key attractions like the ropeway, cable car, Hakone Shrine, pirate ship, and aquarium makes it convenient for sightseeing. The hotel provides a valuable shuttle bus service to and from Odawara Station and Motohakone, and a public bus stop is also nearby, aiding in local exploration. Despite these conveniences, many guests emphasize the hotel's remote and isolated nature, noting a lack of nearby restaurants or shops, especially in the evenings. This can make external dining challenging and necessitates reliance on hotel facilities. While parking is available, some guests found overall transportation in the area to be less straightforward or time-consuming.

Staff & Service
The hotel staff consistently receives high commendation for their attentiveness, helpfulness, and friendly staff demeanor. Guests frequently highlight their professional and polite interactions, contributing to an overall sense of excellent service. The quick check-in process is often mentioned, and staff are generally accommodating to guest requests, including providing luggage assistance and efficient bell service. Many appreciate the multilingual capabilities of the team, particularly the English-speaking staff, which eases communication for international visitors. However, some reviews mention isolated instances of communication difficulties, particularly regarding shuttle bookings or unclear instructions. A few guests reported issues during check-in, such as miscommunication or attempts to overcharge, and some found restaurant staff to be less attentive or occasionally impolite.

Additional Information
The hotel's distinctive architecture, designed by Togo Murano, is a notable feature, with its circular buildings and unique interior elements like dramatic corridors and intricate ceiling designs, offering a sense of historical grandeur. While the hotel age (built in 1978) is apparent in some areas, the property is generally well-maintained. Guests should be aware that while the hotel is now entirely non-smoking, some older rooms might retain a residual smoke smell, and it is advisable to specifically request a room free of such odors. Some guests experienced technical glitches with the room service app and confusion regarding the service's official name. There were also isolated instances of issues with welcome sweets tickets, where guests were told items were unavailable or faced unhelpful responses from staff.