Escape to Paradise: Hakone's Luxurious Natural SPA Auberge
Escape to Paradise: Hakone, or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Jacuzzi (Mostly) - A Rambling Review
Okay, let's be honest. I needed this trip. Like, soul-deep, clawing-at-the-walls needed it. And "Escape to Paradise: Hakone's Luxurious Natural SPA Auberge" promised exactly that. Did it deliver? Well, strap in, because this is less a polished review and more a… post-therapy sesh, maybe?
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Right, on with it.
Arrival & Accessibility: A Mixed Bag with a Potential for Gold
First impressions? Stunning. The entrance is all minimalist chic, Japanese gardens whispering promises of serenity. The exterior corridor? Not so chic, to be honest. A little… plain. But hey, I'm here for the inside, right? And the accessibility is worth a shout-out. The hotel actually claims facilities for disabled guests, which is a huge win. The elevator was a godsend, especially after a grueling hike earlier in the day. Check-in/out [express] was a breeze. I am happy to see that they have check-in/out [private], which is nice.
Now, for my friend who uses a wheelchair, the experience was… well, we'll call it "evolving." The website said wheelchair accessible, but navigating the pathways and restaurants was a test of patience. There were ramps, yes, but the angles were sometimes… ambitious. And the doors! Some were automatic, brilliant! Others? Solid wood, heavy as my regrets, and needed a serious shove. Exterior corridors are usually not the most accessible things, so I wasn't surprised. The staff were incredibly helpful, though, always willing to assist. That's the saving grace. Facilities for disabled guests – technically there, but definitely needs a little tweaking.
Rooms: Oh, That Bed! (And the Lack of Accessible Bathrooms)
The room itself? Stunning. The air conditioning was quiet and effective, a lifesaver in the humid Hakone heat. The blackout curtains? Genius. My bed! Oh, sweet, blissful, extra-long bed. I’m not sure if its the best bed I've slept in, but it was a damn good one. I could have happily stayed in it for a week. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! – a necessity, as I’m glued to my phone for work and pleasure. Internet access – wireless, Internet access – LAN – they've got their bases covered for the digital nomad types.
But… (there's always a but, isn't there?). The bathroom. Another accessibility hurdle. The bathroom had a bathtub, which, lovely, but didn't seem like the best thing for someone who needed it. Separate shower/bathtub – again, fancy as hell, but not the most accessible for a wheelchair user. The toiletries were exquisite, though, all beautifully scented and presented. Little things matter.
Amenities: Spa Spectacular, But Let's Talk About the Food (and the View!)
Okay, the spa. This is where my inner mermaid squealed with delight. Remember that soul-deep need I mentioned? The spa was its cure. The pool with a view was truly spectacular. Picture this: infinity pool blending seamlessly with mountain views, steaming water, the crisp mountain air… I nearly cried. The sauna was divine, the steamroom a welcome escape from the world, and the massage? OMG. I opted for the traditional Japanese massage and ended up feeling like a limp noodle in the best possible way. Body scrub, followed by body wrap? I floated out of that treatment room. It’s so easy to relax in the place. There's also the fitness center if you're into that kind of thing.
Now, the food. This is where the experience veered from "absolute perfection" to "slightly uneven." The restaurants offered a mix of cuisines. They had Asian cuisine in restaurant, and the vegetarian restaurant were really good. The breakfast [buffet] was extensive, with a decent Asian breakfast and Western breakfast. The a la carte in restaurant options were delicious, but sometimes the service felt a little… slow. And the prices! Let's just say you're paying for the view. They had a poolside bar and lots of desserts in restaurant too.
One truly glorious morning, I had breakfast in room. Picture this: tray laden with goodies, steaming coffee, a view to die for, and absolute silence. Utter bliss.
Cleanliness & Safety: Feeling Safe (Mostly)
This is where this place really shines. The anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, and rooms sanitized between stays made me feel genuinely secure. I'm a bit of a germaphobe at the best of times, so I appreciated the extra precautions. I'm not very happy that I can't opt-out of that – I'd love to do my own cleaning. The staff, as well, clearly, were all trained in staff trained in safety protocol. They even had a doctor/nurse on call and a first aid kit. I believe the hygiene certification is crucial in today's world. The Safe dining setup and individually-wrapped food options were also reassuring. My only minor gripe? I'm not sure the shared stationery removed and essential condiments really mattered, but I can't fault them for trying. Overall, though, top marks for cleanliness and safety. They even had the CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property.
Things to Do & Services: Concierge to the Rescue (and Some Quirky Bits)
The concierge was invaluable. They booked everything, from the airport transfer to the local art installations. The daily housekeeping was impeccable. I didn't use the babysitting service, but given how high the quality of service was, I’d trust them. They even had a gift/souvenir shop, and a shrine. Meeting/banquet facilities offered, and they even had the Proposal spot!
The Imperfections & Quirks: Because Even Paradise Has Its Flaws
The soundproofing, for all its claims, wasn't perfect. I heard the neighbor in their room. The car park [free of charge] was a bit of a free-for-all, which, again, wasn't the most accessible.
My favourite quirky moment? The hotel's obsession with… miniature bottles. Every single toiletry was in a tiny container. I mean, the commitment was impressive. But honestly, I spent more time unscrewing caps than enjoying the product.
The Verdict: Worth the Trip? Absolutely, With a Little Caveat
Look, "Escape to Paradise: Hakone's Luxurious Natural SPA Auberge" is damn close to perfect. The location is breathtaking. The spa is heavenly. The staff are mostly excellent. The cleanliness and safety protocols are top-notch. But the accessibility situation needs improvement.
Would I go back? Absolutely. But I'd be armed with a little more information for my friend, and maybe some extra patience. And definitely my own, full-sized shampoo bottle. And maybe a rubber ducky. You know, for the bathtub. Just in case.
Escape to Keswick: YHA Hostel Adventure Awaits!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're heading to the Natural SPA Auberge gen Hakone Gora. This isn't your perfectly manicured, Instagram-filtered itinerary. This is the real, sweaty, jet-lagged, "did I pack enough socks?" version. Consider this your pre-adventure pep talk…and a warning.
Natural SPA Auberge gen Hakone Gora: My Hakone Hellscape / Heaven (Probably a mix)
Day 1: The Arrival… and the Immediate Need for Sake.
8:00 AM (ish) - Narita Airport Catastrophe (or, the Joy of Lost Japanese Yen): Landed in Tokyo. Everything is bright, clean, and filled with people speaking a language I only kind of understand. My luggage? Apparently, it’s on permanent vacation in… another country? Fantastic start. Found a helpful (and ridiculously patient) airport employee to get me to Hakone via the Romancecar train. (Pro tip: Pre-book your train tickets. I didn't. Learned that the hard way.) Also, the yen situation is now officially a disaster since I can't figure out how to get more because I lost the card for the ATM.
12:00 PM - Train Ride Therapy (and the Discovery of Onigiri)*: The Romancecar is sleek and plush, a proper Japanese train experience! The scenery is gorgeous, even if I'm mostly focused on mentally cataloging all the things I’ve already messed up. Had my first onigiri (rice ball) from a convenience store near the station. This is actually edible! Miracle!
3:00 PM - Hakone Gora Station & the Auberge… Finally! Whew, arrived. Auberge gen Hakone Gora is stunning. The lobby smells faintly of pine, the staff is super polite (naturally), and I suddenly want to change into a robe and never leave the room.
3:30 PM: The View. The Anxiety. The Sake. Unpacked. The view from my room… literally gasped. Mountains, green valleys, the whole shebang. And then the internal monologue kicked in: "Are you worthy of this? Did you remember to tip? Why is your Japanese so terrible?" Answer? No, and yes I will get better. Needed sake. Immediately. Luckily, the hotel delivered, and the calming effect of the alcohol, the view, and the general “omg, I made it!” vibe.
6:00 PM - Kaiseki Dinner: An Avalanche of Deliciousness First thing that happens at the Kaiseki dinner is that I sit down. Then, it's a parade of tiny, exquisitely presented dishes. (Seriously, the level of detail is insane!) The problem? I'm a massive glutton. But each dish has this artful presentation I can't help but be in awe of! Tried everything (even the… uh… sea urchin dish. Let's just say textures are… different). Halfway through, I got too full, because I was enjoying it way too much. I got the "food baby" feeling, I needed a nap/walk. I wasn't going to be able to finish it all. Ugh.
9:00 PM - Onsen (The Naked Truth): Okay, this is it. The moment of truth. Public bath. Naked. With strangers. My heart rate immediately spiked. BUT, after battling my internal awkwardness (that's the real enemy, people), I succumbed to the heat. The hot spring water is magical. Soothing, relaxing, and all that. I could feel the tension melting away. And, hey, nobody stared. Everyone's just… chilling. It was a proper Japanese experience and I was very surprised.
10:00 PM - Bedtime… hopefully.: Slept, I hoped. The day was rough.
Day 2: Art, Ropeways, and the Pursuit of Tranquility (or, My Failed Zen Attempt)
8:00 AM - Breakfast: Revenge of the tiny plates Part 2 Breakfast was more lovely tiny dishes. More filling but I'm glad I didn't gorge.
9:30 AM - Hakone Open-Air Museum: The museum is great. The modern art pieces are cool, but my mind keeps wandering to the fact that I have no idea what I'm doing with my life. Took a picture with a giant, colorful sculpture. Felt slightly existential, but mostly hungry.
11:00 AM - Hakone Ropeway: The Volcanic Vistas (and the Fear Factor): Entered the ropeway. My stomach dropped. This had to be one of the most scary experiences ever. It wasn't helped by the sulphur everywhere. I could see the scenery, but not a lot of it in the moment, because I had to focus on not panicking. I really wished I'd skipped the pre-ropeway coffee.
12:30 PM - Lake Ashi Cruise: Stunning views of the lake. The boat is full of tourists, snapping photos. Managed to capture a decent one myself. This is where feeling like a tourist began to sink in.
2:00 PM - Lunch: Found a cute little cafe with a view. Ate some ramen and stared at the water. Considered quitting my job and becoming a professional lake-gazer.
3:00 PM - Hakone Shrine (and a Failed Attempt at Zen): Walked through the massive torii arch. It’s beautiful and serene. Tried to “be present” and meditate. My brain promptly filled with to-do lists, the cost of the trip, and the existential dread of being alive. Failed Zen.
6:00 PM - Repeat Kaiseki Dinner (and the Delicious Cycle Continues): They remembered me! I was surprised. The food this time was great. I ate a bit less, and enjoyed a lot more.
8:00 PM - Another Onsen Visit (Embracing the Nakedness): This time, the onsen felt less terrifying and more… comforting. Actually enjoyed the hot water, the zen-ness, and the whole communal nakedness thing. Still a bit shy, but a lot less stressed about it!
9:00 PM - Bedtime: Exhausted, content, and ready for whatever tomorrow brings. Day 3: Farewell, Hakone… and the Promise of More Disaster (My words, not theirs.)
9:00 AM - Breakfast: More tiny plates, more deliciousness. Sigh.
10:00 AM - Packing and Departure: Packed carefully. Realized I now need to buy a new suitcase, because I bought too much. Also, I'm already planning my return. They don't call it a hellscape for nothing!
11:00 AM - Checkout and Saying Goodbye to Peace: Said goodbye to the incredibly kind staff. They smiled. They didn't judge my slightly unkempt appearance or my terrible Japanese. They just… smiled.
12:00 PM - Goodbye Hakone. Goodbye Hakone, hello Tokyo!
Final Thoughts and Imperfections:
The Food: The Kaiseki dinners were an experience. Seriously. Worth it, even if you feel like an overstuffed goose afterwards.
The Onsen: Just do it. Embrace the awkward. You'll relax. (Maybe.)
The Peace: Found some in the Japanese experience. Lost it occasionally. Found it again. It's a messy, wonderful, and ultimately human experience.
The Imperfections: There were moments of doubt, mistakes, and the inevitable jet lag. But those are the memories that stick with you. And hey, who knows? Maybe I'll actually learn some Japanese before I come back.
Escape to Paradise: Hakone's Luxurious Natural SPA Auberge - You Got Questions? I Got Opinions (and Probably Regrets)
Alright, alright, lay off the hyperbole, yeah? Paradise? Look, let's just say it's trying. The photos? They’re STUNNING. Crisp, clean lines, serene views of Mount Fuji (if you're lucky, which I wasn't the first morning, covered in a thick fog that mocked my hopes). But those photos? They don't tell you about the tiny, almost imperceptible, wobble in the tatami mat in Room 304 that made me question my sanity for at least 20 minutes. Or the fact that you have to, like, book in advance for certain dinner times so it's always a race against the clock to eat and feel all the FOMO.
Paradise? Close. But not without its…quirks. More on those later.
The Onsen. Ah, the Onsen. Okay, listen up, because this is CRUCIAL. If you're a newbie, like I was (and still kinda am, let's be honest, I'm a bit of a chicken), it's…intense. It's a public nudity situation, people. You gotta get over it. I spent the first fifteen minutes huddled behind a rock, mortified.
But then… I gave in. The water is incredible! Soothing, warm, and the way the steam curls around you? Forget about it. The best thing I did was pick the one that seemed the least crowded, and take a deep breath and dive in. The outdoor ones are next level: the air is crisp, the water is steaming, and I started to feel like a character in a Japanese movie. I might have even shed a silent tear of pure, unadulterated relaxation. Which could also be the water's effect. Anyway, the Onsen? Worth the initial terror. Trust me.
Social media is a lair of well-lit food and carefully angled chopsticks. BUT! The food… THE FOOD. Okay, buckle up because I'm about to gush. The multi-course Kaiseki dinner is an EXPERIENCE. Tiny, exquisitely crafted dishes arrive one after another. Things I didn't even know existed (sea urchin, anyone?). I’m pretty sure I moaned a little with each course. My partner gave me a look. I didn't care. I was in food heaven. There was a tiny, perfect piece of grilled fish that practically sang to me. Even the rice was AMAZING. Just. Amazing. Oh, and the presentation? Stunning! I took a ton of pictures...and promptly lost them somehow. Go figure.
Look, let's be real. This place ain't cheap. But the rooms...they're designed for relaxation. Think minimalist chic with a touch of traditional Japanese elegance. We splurged (and by splurged, I mean I cried a little when I saw the bill) on a room with a private onsen. Best. Decision. Ever. Being able to soak in hot springs *whenever* you want, in pure privacy? Absolute LUXURY. The bed too, so incredibly comfortable. I might have slept for 12 hours straight one night. Highly recommend the private onsen. Otherwise? Still lovely, but… the private onsen is next level.
The service! Oh, the SERVICE. It's like they have ESP. Before you need anything, BAM! Someone appears. They're polite, helpful, and seemingly always smiling. I dropped a chopstick at dinner (butterfingers, I tell you) and a server was there within seconds with a replacement. It's almost unsettling how good they are. They anticipate your needs before you even know you have them. They are always ready to help but don't be shy, you can always ask to be left alone.
Okay, here's the lowdown, my friends. Pack light! You'll be changing clothes constantly (robes, yukata, pajamas, and then, hopefully, your normal clothes if you are not like "me"). Embrace the experience, even the awkward moments. Don't be afraid to look like a tourist and mess up. And for the love of your sanity? Learn a few basic Japanese phrases. “Konnichiwa” (hello), “Arigato” (thank you), and “Sumimasen” (excuse me) will go a long way. And, maybe avoid overpacking, because lugging a suitcase across a Japanese-style lobby is a workout you didn’t sign up for.
Okay, buckle up, because this is my *most* emotional reaction. Mount Fuji. The elusive, majestic Mount Fuji! I had this grand plan of waking up at dawn, sipping green tea on my balcony, and gazing at the glorious peak. Reality? Fog. So. Much. Fog. Like, thick enough to eat. The first day, I was *devastated*. I felt like I'd come all this way to be teased by a mountain. The second day? Still fog. Third day? You guessed it. Maybe it was my fault for not consulting the weather gods. It finally cleared up on my last morning, just as I was checking out, like a cruel joke, a giant, perfect, snow-capped cone in all its glory. I almost cried. I almost went back in to stay for an extra day, but alas, it was time to leave.
