KUON Hakone Gora

KUON’s concept is “a place where people in their 20s and 30s can feel a little more grown-up than yesterday.”This time, we’re sharing our impressions from the perspective of guests in our 50s and above, including tips for an even more comfortable stay.[An Outstanding Experience]1) The food is exceptional! Above all, we were truly impressed by the chef’s cuisine. Each dish—unlike anything you’ll find at other hotels—was so beautifully presented that it made us gasp “Wow!” The combinations of ingredients were fresh and creative, and everything was delicious. A full 11-course menu (including two desserts) comes with a pairing: one drink for every two dishes, totaling about 5–6 drinks (non-alcoholic options available).2) You can travel light With amenities provided—including a Dyson hair dryer—as well as loungewear, tabi socks, and slippers, we were able to relax comfortably without bringing much.3) All-inclusive Drinks in the in-Room refrigerator are free, with a wide selection including alcohol. We also enjoyed yuzu tea served at night in the lounge, along with nuts and chocolate.4) Enjoy flowing Onsen water in your Room Being able to enjoy natural Onsen water flowing directly into the bath anytime you like is a major highlight. Even in a Standard Room, opening the window creates a semi-open-air bath experience—and it was great that you can close the window if insects are an issue.[Tips for an Even More Comfortable Stay]1) Getting to the Hotel The Hotel is located slightly away from tourist areas, up a narrow and steep road without sidewalks. If you have concerns about walking or if the weather is bad, taking a taxi from the station is recommended.2) Bath setup There are no handrails by the bath area and the stool is on the smaller side, so older guests may want to take extra care.3) Seating for meals The dining area offers both table seating and counter seating with high chairs. If you’d like to dine at ease or if you’re older, requesting “table seating” in advance will give peace of mind.4) For light eaters The pairings are excellent but add up to quite a bit of liquid. If you don’t eat much or prefer fewer drinks, it helps to share your preferences regarding drink quantity ahead of time.[Helpful items to bring]- Coffee (recommended if you’re particular about it)- Post-bath loungewear (there are no bathrobes; having your own makes things more comfortable)- Earplugs (recommended if noise bothers you)[Summary]This was a highly satisfying stay that made us want to return for its relaxed pace and outstanding cuisine. A truly one-of-a-kind Hotel we’d love to visit again in another season.

Hakone—Gora in particular—has recently seen a growing number of wonderful Accommodations thanks to renovations and new builds. KUON Hakone Gora is one such Accommodation, newly opened last November after a recent renovation. Since it is produced by Openhouse, well known for detached homes, I was excited to see what kind of place it would be.Although it is in Gora, it is located far from the usual Hakone Tozan Railway and cable car stations, so I took a bus from Odawara. As with buses anywhere (not just in Hakone), timing can be unpredictable; this time as well it took a bit longer than expected, but I still managed to check in right on time.Check-in starts at 1:00 p.m., which is quite early, and they welcomed me with hospitality that included three kinds of tea and two types of traditional sweets. I enjoyed sencha, Japanese black tea, and oolong tea along with delicious chef-made sweets. It was also fun to hear their explanations while the tea was being prepared.The Room features exposed concrete walls and ceilings. The ceiling in my Room was especially high and beautifully curved.As for the bath—amazingly, it is free-flowing hot spring water directly from the source. With no circulation fittings inside the tub, it felt truly relaxing.I stayed in a Standard type Room without an open-air bath, but since there was a large floor-to-ceiling sliding door leading out to the balcony, leaving the window open allowed me to enjoy it like a semi-open-air bath. It was such a pleasant surprise.Both dinner and breakfast were delicious; dinner in particular was fascinating because you can watch parts of the cooking process as well.There is also a Tea lounge where you can enjoy tea and sweets throughout the day. The space where you receive the three teas and two sweets becomes a bar at night—and everything is all-inclusive, which felt truly luxurious.I heard this building had been one of several purchased as part of a bulk acquisition; seeing an existing building revitalized into such a lovely Accommodation really impressed me.I stayed at an excellent price thanks to an opening promotion, but even their regular rates make sense considering that everything is all-inclusive.The young staff members provided attentive hospitality throughout my stay, making it truly wonderful.Thank you very much for taking such great care of me.