The Prince Hakone Lake Ashinoko

If you have extra money, this could be a nice way to indulge. However, a word of warning. If you're arriving at Odawara train station, there's no way to get to the hotel except by the hotel shuttle. Taxis won't take you. And the hotel shuttle won't take you unless you've placed your name on the reservation list ahead of time. Nobody warned me about this. I'd read online that a connecting train takes you near the hotel, but this isn't true either. I arrived during a snow/ice storm and waited over 3 hours before I could get a ride to the hotel. The shuttle driver wouldn't let me on. I called the hotel front desk 3 or 4 times, but they weren't very helpful. I suppose this is the language barrier. They meant well. But regardless, if a shuttle reservation is the only way to access a remote mountain top hotel, it's pretty important to make sure your guests understand this. Once I did arrive, I have to admit the room was beautiful. The buffet dinner was fantastic but not included in the price of the room - a little disappointing, since the room is already so expensive. Lots of extra costs, so be careful. I received a really great massage in my room. The onsen hot spring was very nice, and free (included in room charge). Breakfast the next morning was also included in room charge. The hotel bar was closed, though. There wasn't much opportunity to socialize or meet people. I did check out the lake the next morning, which was beautiful in the snowfall. I'm sharing photos of that. There wasn't time to check out much else because I had to get back on the shuttle bus at 10:30 to catch my next train. I suppose if there hadn't been an ice storm, I would have checked out more of the surrounding area and appreciated it.

It’s a very nice hotel, peace of mind. Very polite & passionate staff. Nearby Lake Ashi, great scenery if lucky you can see Mt Fuji.

Beautiful location near the lake. Perfect view of Mount Fuji on a clear day. Onsen experience was great. Very close by distance to ropeway/pirate ship activities.