What an amazing stay. We had been 1 week in Tokyo before 2 nights in Hakone, so I intended the time to be a mental switch from the rushing and hustle to quiet, and this place absolutely delivered.
Everything about it encourages you to calm and quiet and relaxation. It's a short 10-15 minute walk from the station, but you cross over 2 bridges and walk along a river and leave all that craziness behind. I can't explain it any other way; your mind changes with that stroll along the riverside.
The room itself is enormous by Japanese standards. The bathroom has a small shower inside but the best is the 1-person onsen/hot tub on a semi-covered patio outside. The front desk gives you English instructions on how to fill it and it was wonderful.
There are also 2 private 2-person onsen inside. No reservation, you just go to the floor and if the light is off, you can enter.
Food is traditional Japanese style and a HUGE assortment of 20 items in small portions. We never wanted lunch after eating breakfast here. The staff accommodated my allergies and prepared special food.
There are so many freebies to discover. Free tea/coffee 1st floor, soda 3rd, free ice cream near onsen, free dango and oden in the lobby 4:30, free ramen 10:30.
Beds were comfortable, elevators were fast and easy to use, staff was polite and helpful. If you look real hard you've find the occasional dusty corner, but overall clean and extremely relaxing place.
