This Hyatt Regency Hakone Review follows our recent Park Hyatt Kyoto, Aman Kyoto, Park Hyatt Tokyo Review, Andaz Tokyo Review and Japan Airlines First Class Review.
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Hyatt Regency Hakone Location and Check-In
The Hyatt Regency Hakone is located in Gora, about a 30-45 minute drive from the Odawara train station. Odawara is only a 33 minute shinkansen ride from Tokyo, although slower trains will take over 1 hour to get there. The hotel offers a complimentary shuttle between Odawara Station and the hotel, although it must be reserved in advance. We were a party of 6, as we'd invited Japanese friends to join us, and we were the only ones on our 12:15pm shuttle.
When we arrived at the hotel, check-in took a very long time–probably the most inefficient check-in I've ever experienced in Japan. Fortunately we were at last invited to go down to the Living Room to enjoy some tea on the house, while we waited for our room to be ready.
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Hyatt Regency Hakone Rooms and Suites
Since the Hyatt Regency Hakone caters more to the domestic Japanese market than to international visitors, rooms and suites all have side by side twin beds, as this is the bed configuration preferred by most Japanese couples, over a single large king or queen size bed.
Entry level Twin Rooms are 600 square feet (56 square meters), and we recommend reserving or confirming an upgrade into a Mountain View Twin Room, with mountain views from the enclosed sun terrace which is furnished with a table and chairs.
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We were in a larger Twin Deluxe Room, which is 785 square feet (73 square meters), on the 4th floor. This room type has a living area with sofa and coffee table, and had ample space for our son's extra bed.
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Some fresh strawberries served as a welcome amenity. They were fine, but not quite as ripe or delicious as those at the Park Hyatt Kyoto or the Park Hyatt Tokyo.
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Between the bedroom and bathroom was a walk-in closet, where three black tanzen (Japanese jackets worn over a yukata) were available for our use during the stay, in addition to the cotton yukata worn to the onsen.
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Also provided were both geta (wooden clogs) for wearing outside the room within the resort, and disposable slippers for inside the room. We didn't end up wearing the geta as the polished wooden surfaces were just too slippery, plus even the largest size was a tad small for me, and definitely too small for my husband, who wears a U.S. size 12.
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The bathroom had double sinks, a vanity table and stool, and a wet room with a shower and separate bathtub. As is customary for the onsen, one showers clean first, then soaks the bathtub.
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Argan oil and aloe vera bath products were by Pharmacopia:
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Here's our Hyatt Regency Hakone YouTube Video Review:
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TravelSort Clients enjoy these Hyatt Prive perks at the Hyatt Regency Hakone:
- Welcome amenity
- Complimentary full breakfast for up to 2 in-room guests
- $100 hotel credit
- Priority upgrade: confirmed within 24 hours of TravelSort's request (during high demand periods, upgrade is subject to availability at check-in)
- Priority for connecting room availability and early check-in / late check-out
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Resort Amenities: Living Room Happy Hour and Onsen
A lovely perk at the hotel was the Living Room's 4-7pm happy hour, with free flowing champagne, wine, beer and soft drinks near the cozy fireplace. While we opted to minimize our alcohol intake for health reasons, my husband did enjoy a little white wine, and our son and I enjoyed some juice.
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Another key draw of the resort is the spa and its separate men's and women's onsens (natural hot spring baths). Naturally, photography was forbidden in this area, but I can confirm it was very relaxing. The resort helpfully provides a cheat sheet of onsen etiquette for foreigners who are onsen neophytes or otherwise unfamiliar with onsen rules:
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The Verdict
Notwithstanding the initial frustration of a protracted check-in, we enjoyed our stay. Rooms and suites aren't fancy–it's a Hyatt Regency after all, not a Park Hyatt or Andaz–but everything was clean and well maintained.
Particular highlights were the spacious Living Room with its soaring ceiling and central fireplace, a very cozy place to wind down in the evening; the onsen; and the Japanese restaurant. The Western dining room was fine, and generally food was well prepared, but nothing stood out.
The complimentary shuttle was appreciated, and included drop-offs at nearby attractions such as the Hakone Open Air Museum.
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