Originally Posted by
TravelPDX7
I am looking at going to Hakone in September and would love to know some onsen recommendations.
My dilemma is the balance of Tokyo and Hakone. I was thinking of spending 4 days in TYO and then a few days in Hakone recuperating from TYO.
I have a lot of Chase UR and could spend 4 nights in the Andaz and the luxury it entails but may just use my award nights at the Regency in Shinjuku and splurge in Hakone.
I would love to know places in the $300-500/night for 2 people Hakone ryokans.
What would the fine people here recommend:
4 days Andaz/Park Hyatt Tokyo and 2 days budget Hakone ryokan
-OR-
4 days Hyatt Regency Tokyo and 2 days luxury Hakone ryokan/onsen
Any thoughts appreciated and thank you in advance.
I've never stayed at Andaz. You'll have to sort of make the decision on which property to stay at in Tokyo and how to make the best use of your points. To me, Hyatt Regency is a fine choice. Little more convenient than Park Hyatt with respect to distance to train, shops.
$400-500 could get you into a lot of fine ryokans in Hakone if on a weekday (Sun-Thu that's non-holiday). For high-end places possibly in that price range during the week, look into these:
http://www.gorahanaougi.com/hanaougi/
http://www.kyuan.jp/
http://www.hakone-kamon.jp/
These are all very highly-regarded. I've actually only stayed at the first one (most of my stays have been at second-tier places), but I always have my eye on onsens in Hakone and those other two are high on my list of places I'd like to stay at eventually. Hanaougi may not be available for $500. Usually more like $600-700. Of course, dinner & breakfast included. Private en-suite onsen in your room. The other two places are a couple notches cheaper, usually. There's plenty of places that are more like $250-300/night for two, but still decent and relaxing although not super-luxurious.