Charming spa resort in the forest

A charming forest resort nestled in the mountains surrounding Hakone that lives up to its name Hakone Retreat Offering a peaceful and rejuvenating retreat away from the hustle and bustle of city life. This is a resort immersed in nature, where time seems to pass more slowly as you lie in a hot spring bath and listen to a harmonious symphony of birdsong and rustling leaves.

Low-key luxury

This is my second stay at this idyllic resort. I had previously stayed in a spacious villa in the facility, and this time I stayed in the main Före building (stylized as före). While not as grand as a villa, the rooms are spacious and offer all the comforts of home. They are designed with a sense of understated luxury that will make you feel like you are in a Nordic resort.

There are 37 rooms in total Före consists of a 109 m² suite with two bedrooms, a kitchen and stunning views of the Owakudani volcanic valley. I stayed in a deluxe double room, which had a comfortable living area separate from the sleeping area, and a wood-burning stove, which created a calming atmosphere (although would have been more welcome on a cold night).

Visit jade in person

After checking in at 3pm, I decided to go for a walk in the forest. Japanese approach Visit the bath in person Forest bathing is said to provide a variety of health benefits, such as lowering blood pressure and heart rate. Breathing in the clean, fragrant air is also a very pleasant way to spend an afternoon.

After a relaxing stroll, I spent some time at Free Bird (styled as Free Bird), the leisure space at Hakone Retreat Hotel, which is the perfect place to read some books or (if absolutely necessary) get some work done. It has a mini library, some games, and all sorts of stuff while I was there Kagori Choose from shaved ice flavors, all free. This service for guests changes according to the season.

Woodside Catering

Dinner is served at Woodside Dining (stylized as “woodside Dining”), an impressive restaurant known for its rustic wood-fired cuisine prepared in an open kitchen. Located in a semi-dome building surrounded by green trees, it is a place where you can feel the warmth of the forest while dining. I enjoyed the sumptuous six-course menu, which included seared scallops, wood-fired cardinal fish and grilled beef ribs. Guests can also order unlimited drinks from the menu for an additional fee.

The next morning I returned to Woodside Restaurant for breakfast. In addition to a rich buffet and a wide selection of drinks, the restaurant also offers sandwiches upon request. I chose the signature BBLT (smoked bacon, burger, lettuce, tomato) served on a bun cooked to perfection in the wood-burning oven. For those who prefer something lighter, there is an on-site shop selling drinks and snacks.

Hot springs and health

Before breakfast, I took a soothing bath in the hotel’s sodium chloride hot spring bath. The spring water comes from Sengokuhara Hot Spring and is rich in metasilicic acid, which makes the skin feel smooth. It is also said to help improve poor circulation, reduce fatigue and relieve muscle pain. It’s the perfect way to start the day. Guests staying in the villas can enjoy the same sodium chloride water in their rooms.

To completely eliminate mental or physical fatigue, it is recommended that you visit Konoha Spa. The 110-minute signature program combines a holistic aromatherapy massage with a basic facial. There are plenty of other options on the menu, including hot stone massage and Oriental reflexology.

Picturesque wooden hideaway

In addition to 37 rooms, Före has 18 villas that blend perfectly into the landscape. These picturesque wooden retreats are equipped with private open-air (or semi-open-air) hot spring baths, kitchens, fireplaces and sound systems with Bluetooth so you can play the soundtrack of your choice while you enjoy a long soak in the large baths.

There are no TVs or clocks in any villa or room as it is a distraction-free space where guests can truly relax. Guests staying in the villa can also enjoy kaiseki Hyoseki is a luxurious on-site Japanese restaurant that originally opened as a ryokan in 1914, offering set menus made with the freshest seasonal ingredients.

Sightseeing nearby

In addition to its rich natural beauty and hot spring baths, Hakone is of course also famous for its numerous museums. One of the most impressive museums is the Hakone Venetian Glass Museum, less than a five-minute walk from the resort. It is an indoor and garden museum displaying modern and classical works in all forms, including vases, goblets, lamps and sculptures. The dazzling glass corridor – with arched flames encrusted with 16,000 drops of crystal glass – is particularly enchanting.

There are other museums nearby, such as the Pola Museum of Art (5 minutes by taxi), which houses about 10,000 works, including works by Monet, Picasso and Tsuguharu Fujita. For those who want to be more active, there are various hiking trails just outside the hotel, such as the Sengoku-Hara Kojiri Nature Trail. The resort provides bicycle rental services.

More information

Hakone resort reservations can be made here.

Address: 1286-116 Hakone Sengokuhara, Ashigarashita-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture Postal Code: 250-0631