Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora

My monthly staycation is usually at a Hotel in my local Minato Mirai area, but this time I went a bit farther to Hotel Indigo Gora. I drove there alone, and the winding mountain roads in Hakone were a little tiring.I arrived before check-in and planned to relax at the footbath, but as soon as I parked in the outdoor lot in front of the Hotel, a staff member came right away and helped with my luggage. The welcome drink and Umaibo snack were a nice touch, and being able to check in comfortably while seated is one of those pleasures you expect from a Hotel of this class.When I entered my Room with the staff’s guidance, I couldn’t help saying, “Beautiful!” out loud. It’s a compact Hotel with around 100 rooms, but the Japanese-modern design—combining a raised tatami area with beds—was truly charming. I usually prefer modern Hotels, but this stay reminded me how calming and appealing Japanese-modern style can be.For dinner, I ordered à la carte at the on-site restaurant. The shrimp, scallops, and abalone in the bouillabaisse were surprisingly tender; the burrata was rich and paired perfectly with tomato and basil. The white wine went down easily. Since I don’t eat much, I also appreciated having à la carte options instead of only set courses.The bath in my Room was spacious, and I was able to fully enjoy the Onsen at leisure. The breakfast buffet also impressed me in both variety and quality—especially the green beans dressed with sesame sauce, which tasted far better than anything I could make at home. Even as someone who eats lightly (and can be picky), it was more than satisfying.The hospitality from everyone on staff was excellent, and the entire property was beautiful and comfortable. It was a wonderful Hotel that made me want to return again.

Our family stayed for one night. It happened to snow, and we were very satisfied to be able to enjoy the rare snowy scenery while relaxing in the Room’s open-air bath. We used the restaurant several times for the café, dinner, and breakfast. The food was delicious, and all of the staff were very kind and friendly. Thank you so much!