5-Star Hotels in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan

The room was very spacious, and apart from skincare products, all other amenities were well-provided. The wet/dry separation in the bathroom was also a nice touch. The ocean view room was absolutely stunning, and we even got to see the fireworks display for Yokohama Port's opening season at night. The only downside was that the air conditioning was a bit noisy. The front desk service was excellent; they could communicate in Chinese, English, and Japanese, and they also offered free luggage storage. Very satisfied overall!

Pure perfection in the hills of Hakone ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Indigo Hotel Hakone is simply a beautiful hotel. From the moment you arrive, the design, ambiance, and attention to detail impress; modern elegance that blends seamlessly with nature. Everything is spotless. The cleanliness throughout the property is impeccable, but the real standout is the bed. I mean it is ultra comfortable. I slept better here than I have in months. The perfect firmness, quality linens, just heaven. And the food? Uber delicious. Breakfast and dinner alike were stunning — beautifully presented, full of local flavor, and every bite memorable. The staff are more than helpful! They were warm, attentive, and genuinely caring. They went out of their way to assist with everything from onsen etiquette to transport advice. To top it off, the surrounding is peaceful and serene. Tucked away in the mountains with forest views and fresh air, the perfect escape from Tokyo or Kyoto. Highly recommend. Worth every penny.

This was my second stay here. My previous visit with my child was so enjoyable that when a friend came to Japan, I brought them here for a night. Throughout our stay, the staff were incredibly kind and thoughtful. Both breakfast and dinner were very satisfying. However, at check-out, one particular staff member's attitude absolutely floored me. 1. For self-check-out, there were three machines. One was free, and there was no queue, so we just went ahead and used it. 2. After checking out, I wanted to inquire about the hotel shuttle and public bus routes and schedules, as we didn't have a car this time. Both manual check-out counters were busy with guests, so I stood behind them, waiting my turn. 3. Suddenly, a staff member came out from the side to guide guests queuing for check-out. She noticed I was inadvertently standing in front of the line she was directing. She gestured for me to move, and I apologized and immediately stepped aside. Then, when she had a moment, I asked her where I should queue to inquire about the hotel bus schedule. For some reason, she seemed extremely annoyed. She spoke to me with a blank expression for a couple of sentences, then realized I didn't speak Japanese, and that she couldn't explain it to me quickly. Our conversation wasn't even finished when she angrily turned and walked away... At first, I thought she was in a hurry to attend to the queuing guests, as it was peak check-out time, and that she'd get back to me. So I waited in a spot where I wouldn't bother her or her line. But then I realized she completely intended to ignore me! I just stood there waiting for her, hahaha. Eventually, I thought, 'This isn't right. Is getting a schedule really this difficult?' She was the only person available to ask, so I went up to her again and asked in English. She froze, looking at me with a surprised expression, perhaps not expecting me to come back after her impolite demeanor. So, she had to patiently, albeit reluctantly, quickly reply to me in English. I asked if she could give me a copy of the schedule. She didn't even say ”please wait a moment.” She just turned directly to the counter, grabbed a schedule, practically slapped it into my hand with a ”Pia!” sound, said absolutely nothing, and then spun around and walked away, hahaha. I even managed to say ”thank you” to her. I was stunned. A 2600 yen per night hotel, and in my two years in Japan, this was the first time I'd experienced such shockingly poor service. I suggest that during peak check-out times, more staff should be assigned, or essential information like schedules should be placed in a conspicuous location, which would also save staff the trouble. And while the hotel indicates Chinese-speaking service is available, if staff who only speak Chinese are discouraged from asking questions, then I suggest the hotel shouldn't be on platforms like Ctrip trying to attract Chinese customers in the first place.

I arrived at the hotel in the evening and was given an even-numbered room with a view of the Ferris wheel in the port area... What a pleasant surprise it was the next morning when I opened the window to see Mount Fuji! The room was quite spacious for Tokyo standards, between 35-40 square meters. There's no need to worry about hygiene in Japanese hotels; the cleanliness standards ensure a comfortable stay. Most of the staff are from Southeast Asia or English-speaking countries, so communication was not an issue. The location isn't the absolute best; for our travels, it's still four stations away from Yokohama Station on the Minatomirai Line, which is about 15 minutes, haha. But given the price and quality, it's totally worth it! What truly convinced me to stay here was their children's policy. Japan is notoriously difficult when it comes to choosing hotels for family travel. With two adults and two pre-teens (not infants), you're often asked to book two rooms. Even if you're willing to pay more, you don't want to sleep in separate rooms as it's inconvenient for looking after each other. However, this hotel allows 2+2 in one suite, which makes it very convenient for parents. Plus, the twin beds can be combined, and there are no annoying bedside tables, which is excellent. This tip is for other parents out there. The only drawback was that even though the booking information clearly stated 2+2, and the hotel was aware, with a multi-person fee paid, the amenities provided were only for a standard occupancy. The reception didn't proactively ask if we needed children's amenities during check-in, and we only realized how scarce the supplies were after entering the room, prompting us to request more... Only two bottles of bottled water were provided. I let it slide on the first day because the room was randomly assigned, but it was still two bottles on the second day. If someone makes formula, there's no water left for anyone else to drink... I hope they can be more generous in this regard; it's a small cost for great value.

Today, under a beautiful sky, I arrived in the seaside city of Yokohama and checked into the InterContinental Yokohama Grand. Although the hotel shows its age a bit, the lobby is spacious, bright, and grand. The room facilities are complete, and the bedding is soft and comfortable. Outside the window, I could see the Ferris wheel and amusement park, with skyscrapers towering nearby. The breakfast offered a rich variety, and the night view was spectacular. Overall, Yokohama gave me a strong sense of the future!

Hakone Kowakien Ten-yu is a truly comfortable and relaxing ryokan that made our stay very enjoyable. The staff were attentive and welcoming from the moment we arrived by car, and they promptly helped unload our luggage and delivered it to the hotel. They also assisted with carrying our luggage back to the car during check-out. The room was well-equipped, clean, and very hygienic, and the high-floor view was wide and beautiful. Breakfast and dinner buffet were both satisfying, with delicious food and a good variety of choices. The onsen was also impressive, with two levels of outdoor baths that are alternated between men and women at different times, allowing guests to enjoy both. The water park-style onsen area was a bit less impressive, but overall, this ryokan deserves a very high rating. The official site highlights its open-air onsen, private baths in all rooms, and well-regarded dining, which matches the strong overall experience here

I stayed for five nights, and the hotel's location is excellent – super convenient for shopping, dining, and getting to the train station or airport. Since there were three of us, the hotel kindly added an extra bed for the third person at no charge. The stay was comfortable, and the toiletries were fully stocked, so even if you forget your personal items, you're covered. They replenished the fridge daily with beer and drinks, and the drip coffee was surprisingly good. The breakfast had a wide variety of choices; you could even make your own mini-burgers. Both the food and service at breakfast were great. The only downside was the check-in process, which felt quite chaotic. Perhaps it was a busy day, and the front desk and concierge were overwhelmed. I was with two elderly people and heavy luggage, and I had to find someone to check us in and move our luggage entirely by myself. There was no guidance or assistance from the hotel staff. In contrast, I saw staff members escorting a young lady to her room with just a small handbag. I believe hotels should prioritize assisting guests with elderly companions, children, heavy luggage, or those with mobility issues. In the following days, I also noticed staff taking young guests with no large luggage to my floor, which left me confused about their service policy. This aspect of the experience was quite disappointing.

The building is grand, bedroom is spacious, bed is comfortable. Location is far from the station, needs 10-15 mins walk. Bathtub’s water pressure is not enough to fill the tub quickly. Breakfast was varied and tasty, but nothing stands out. Coffee machine inside the room is nice. We asked for a bit of late checkout and they couldn’t give it despite us asking twice, not even for + 30 mins, because apparently the hotel is “full”. We didn’t really see that many guests, and when we try to book online, there are more rooms available. That’s disappointing and doensn’t reflect the brand value of Hilton. I don’t even know if it’s legally 4 or 5 star hotel.

The private onsen was lovely, and the hotel is located near Gora Station, though it's up a hill, so I wouldn't recommend heavy luggage. If you do have a lot, it's best to ask the hotel for a pick-up or take two more stops on the Hakone Tozan Railway. The room was very Japanese in style with classic decor. Both meals were also good, and the service was attentive.

Cons: This onsen ryokan is located on a hill, so the location isn't the most convenient. It's quite difficult to explore the onsen town or walk around nearby. Perhaps because it's a smaller onsen, the public bath doesn't have an open-air bath, but the private open-air bath in the room somewhat makes up for it. Pros: The lobby offers expansive mountain views, the hotel interior is new, and the room layout is well-designed. Both dinner and breakfast are above the standard for an onsen ryokan; you can really feel the chef's dedication, not just a typical mass production. I wrote this review mainly to express my gratitude to our server, Ms. Saki Takano. She communicated with us in English and even used a few simple Chinese words to introduce the dishes. When we left, she wrote us a blessing card in Chinese characters. Her sincerity and warmth, without any pretense, truly made us feel at home. Thank you very much.