Shiki Resort Forest Hakone

This hotel, a former corporate retreat, offers a unique and cost-effective stay, particularly appealing to budget-conscious travelers and hot spring enthusiasts. Its signature feature is the natural hot spring open-air bath, which, despite its small size, provides a highly praised sulfurous, cloudy water experience. Guests often find the rooms spacious, offering a quiet environment ideal for relaxation. While the hotel operates on a self-service model with minimal staff, many appreciate the value it provides. Families can benefit from the generous room sizes and recreational facilities, while solo travelers seeking a peaceful escape will find the serene setting appealing. To enhance your stay, it is advisable to bring your own personal amenities like toothbrushes and shampoo, and consider bringing snacks or drinks as on-site options are limited due to the remote location.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel features a highly regarded open-air bath with natural sulfurous, cloudy hot spring water, which, despite being small and accommodating only a few people, is often enjoyed in a private, uncrowded setting. There is also a large public bath with clear water, though it is not a hot spring. Guests can utilize various recreational facilities including a table tennis area, a badminton court, and a karaoke room, providing entertainment options. While some older facilities like the sauna may not always be operational, the hotel generally offers Wi-Fi access. However, guests should note that the guest wing lacks an elevator, which can be inconvenient for those with mobility issues or heavy luggage. Vending machines are available for drinks, but other conveniences like a shared microwave or coin laundry are not provided.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guests generally find the rooms spacious, particularly the Japanese-style accommodations which often include separate living areas, allowing for a comfortable and relaxed stay. The cleanliness of the rooms is mostly satisfactory, though some guests have noted signs of aging facilities throughout the property, such as wear and tear, peeling wallpaper, or broken fixtures. Feedback on bed comfort is mixed, with some finding the futons provided to be quite thin. Noise levels can be an issue, as thin walls may allow sounds from adjacent rooms or corridors to be heard. In-room amenities are basic, with no private bath in the room and toiletries often requiring an additional purchase. Some reviews mention occasional musty smells or humidity, and isolated instances of dust or rust in certain areas.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel offers breakfast and dinner options, which are generally described as simple but satisfying, aligning with the hotel's value-oriented approach. Breakfast often includes fresh grilled fish, good miso soup, and other basic but tasty items. Dinner receives varied feedback; some guests find it decent, highlighting specific dishes like local pork or good quality white rice, while others describe the food quality as basic with limited variety and small meal portions. It's noted that the dining experience is often a set meal rather than a buffet, especially on weekdays, and some guests have experienced cold food or a lack of explanation for the dishes served. Children's meals, in particular, have been a source of disappointment for some families.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel boasts a quiet location nestled amidst lush nature, offering a peaceful retreat. It is conveniently situated close to the Glass Forest Museum, making it an ideal base for visiting this popular attraction. While the area is suitable for exploring Hakone by public transport, guests should be aware of the hotel's somewhat remote location. There are no convenience stores or restaurants within easy walking distance, often requiring a 20-minute walk along a mountain road. Access from Hakone-Yumoto station involves a long and sometimes crowded bus ride, and there is no hotel shuttle service. The bus stop near the hotel may also involve navigating steep slopes, which can be challenging. Parking is available for guests who arrive by car, though its convenience can vary.

Staff & Service
The staff at the hotel generally receive praise for being helpful and polite, with many guests appreciating the efforts of the foreign staff members. When present, the front desk provides an efficient check-in process. Despite operating with a limited number of personnel, the staff strive to offer attentive service. However, the hotel's understaffed nature is a recurring theme in reviews, leading to instances of long waits, staff juggling multiple roles, and an unresponsive front desk during late-night hours. Some guests have noted communication challenges due to varying proficiency in Japanese or English among staff. The service model is largely self-service, meaning guests are expected to handle tasks like laying out their own futons, and typical hotel hospitality services like luggage assistance are not provided. Strict check-in times and a lack of prior communication regarding changes (e.g., from buffet to set meal) have also been mentioned.

Additional Information
This establishment was originally a former corporate retreat, which explains its layout, spacious rooms, and the self-service approach. Guests are required to follow a shoe removal policy upon entering the building. It's important to note that many amenities such as toothbrushes, razors, and some shampoo/conditioner are either not provided or require an additional purchase, emphasizing the hotel's cost-saving measures. There is no coin laundry or shared microwave/refrigerator available for guest use. While in-room fans and humidifiers are provided, guests should be aware of the strict bath hours, as the hot springs are not accessible throughout the night or early morning. A small destination fee or hot spring tax is typically added to the bill. The hotel does not sell alcohol or snacks on-site, so guests are advised to bring their own.