Hotel Morinokaze Hakone Sengokuhara

We stayed only one night but this is the best ryokan I've stayed in and among my top 3 favorite hotels around the world. The staff is great and speaks English. The food and onsen is AMAZING and the hotel has the peaceful quaint quality you need to help you unwind and relax. The facilities are pristine and spotless. There are pants/top traditional wear that make you feel like you've stepped into the Edo period vs a yukata. We ate in the dining hall among other guests. Was my favorite meal of our entire Japan trip and we ate a LOT of great food. But every dish was so perfectly arranged amd cooked. It's a feast for the eyes and the taste buds. It's also seasonal so their cuisine changes based on ingredients available. If I lived closer I'd definitely visit regularly because the summer unagi set looks amazing. Breakfast was really good as well. It is traditional cuisine with grilled fish, and many little side dishes. If you have a food allergy please tell the hotel early on. We had someone who didn't eat beef and they were more than happy to accommodate which isn't always available for larger ryokans I've stayed in. Fyi they have a nice wine list to order from as well. The staff are very professional, and courteous. Some might find the environment a bit stuffy since it can feel more uptight but just know that at a ryokan the staff are literally there to help you have the most relaxing and enjoyable stay possible so it won't feel the same as a western hotel where smiling and warmth are more commonplace but the attention to detail and quick response to questions and requests in the most courteous and prompt manner is more the style you'll be getting here. As for the hotsprings facilities itself, they are so so clean and as beautiful as pictured. It is a smaller and newer ryokan so the amenities are limited (this isnt one of those all you can drink n snack spots like larger establishments) but the pristine environment, overlooking a beautiful japanese garden seriously can't be beat. This place has literally set the bar for me for ryokans. It is harder to find when searching on google as only the japanese name shows up on location but its a hidden gem. I kind of wanted to keep it a secret but i also want more people to see and experience this place for themselves. Now for the rooms, they are spacious enough for 2 with luggage plus it has everything you need with small amenities there for your use. The beds are comfortable albeit smaller because its 2 separate twin beds for the western style room we had. The japanese style room has a warmer/softer style flooring but beds and such seem to be the same. Only thing of note was the blanket duvets are very crisp so it does make loud rustling sounds so if you are a lighter sleeper earplugs will help. Also, if you have never stayed in a ryokan, there are some etiquette you will want to know about such as its full nude. You bring your towel basket and tired body in, put your shoes/sandals in a cubby, attach a number to your slipper, take your items to a locker, strip naked, take the key with you, than proceed to shower in the seated area where you wash up. Shampoo soap and all is available for use including makeup oil wash and scrubs from your towel basket. Than you can soak all your worries away with both indoor and outdoor tubs and one cold dip for you brave souls. Very relaxing and perfect after a long day in the city or exploring the area. There were also kid friendly items for use as well for families. Free popsicles to enjoy in the common area as well. They switch the men and womens bathing areas so you get to enjoy both sides. One is more warm, full of cedar and soft pastel tones with a mural of the country side. Other side is warmer dark tone w stone and rocks and a mural of mount fuji. Note, if you are traveling by train they have a shuttle van available for pickup and drop off from Gora station area so you can take the cablecar to Gora, walk 2 minutes through the tunneled stairs that go down from the right side. 2 times slots in afternoon and mornings for booking. 10/10

Check in process was cold, restaurant staff was extremely friendly though. Extremely clean, new ryokan however it is a little bit “cold” feeling. Maybe due to the dark walls & isolated feeling? Public Onsen was beautiful, extremely new but has an uninviting feel. I think it is a good option around the $500-600 range.

My mother and I are currently staying at this ryokan and are very disappointed with the high price. It does not meet the standards of other four-star ryokans we've visited in the area. The food, amenities, and service are subpar. We feel it is overpriced and not worth the cost. It represents as more of a two-star establishment.