Hyatt Regency Hakone review: the ultimate family retreat in Japan’s serene mountains

If you’re planning a family getaway to Japan and want to experience the perfect balance of luxury, nature, and relaxation, the Hyatt Regency Hakone Resort and Spa is an excellent choice. Located in the picturesque foothills of the mountains in Hakone, this retreat provides breathtaking views of Mount Fuji and luxurious accommodations. Our review covers everything you need to know — from redeeming World of Hyatt points to enjoying the resort’s natural hot springs, ensuring a memorable stay for your entire family.

Booking Hyatt Regency Hakone with points

Hyatt Regency Hakone is a Hyatt hotel that can be booked by redeeming Hyatt Points. As a Category 6 Hyatt hotel, Hyatt Regency Hakone requires 21,000, 25,000, or 29,000 points per night, depending on the season (and peak, off-peak, and standard nights).

To earn Hyatt points, we transferred the Chase Ultimate Rewards we earned with our Chase cards to World of Hyatt at a 1:1 ratio.

Please note that you need one of the premium Chase cards (Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve, or Ink Preferred) to be able to transfer points to Hyatt.

💡 Good to know

When booking with points, no resort fees are applied.

During our dates, the Standard Room was priced at around $300 per night or 25,000 Hyatt Points per night. This works out to a redemption value of 1.2 cents per point. As a result, we decided to pay cash instead of using points, saving them for a more expensive property like the Park Hyatt Kyoto, which costs around $2,000 per night.

However, it’s worth noting that on some dates, the cash rate for the Standard Room can go up to $450 per night, in which case using points would make more sense.

Additionally, right after booking our stay, we took advantage of our Hyatt Suite Upgrade Award, securing an upgrade to a Standard Suite, Regency Suite Twin, months in advance. This spacious suite offered plenty of room for our family and stunning views of the surrounding mountains and Mount Fuji!

How to get to Hakone from Tokyo

The easiest and fastest way to get to Hakone from Tokyo is by train. You can take the JR Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Odawara Station, which takes around 35 minutes. From Odawara, you can switch to the Hakone Tozan Train, a scenic mountain railway, or take a direct bus to reach various parts of Hakone. We opted for the bus option and simply walked a few minutes down from the Kamigora-iriguchi bus stop to Hyatt Regency Hakone.

Check-in experience

Upon arriving at Hyatt Regency Hakone, the friendly staff warmly welcomed us. Check-in was seamless, and they quickly recognized our Globalist status, which came with some wonderful perks — including an evening cocktail hour and complimentary breakfast for our family (2 adults and 2 kids), as well as the daily bottles of water.

We got a Welcome Drink Voucher as well as the Evening Drink Voucher for our 2-night stay.

Our Suite was ready for us, so that is where the hotel staff accompanied us.

💡 Good to know

The hotel provides a complimentary shuttle service from Gora Station, making transportation convenient for guests arriving by train.

Parking at Hyatt Regency Hakone

You can park for free at Hyatt Regency Hakone as they offer self-parking.

The Regency Suite Twin at Hyatt Regency Hakone (Standard Suite)

Our Regency Suite Twin was an absolute highlight of the trip. The suite was spacious, with over 850 square feet of living space, and included a cozy sitting area, two twin beds, and a sun terrace. The floor-to-ceiling windows provided stunning views of the surrounding forest and the majestic Mount Fuji peeking through the trees.

Interestingly, all 80 rooms, which vary in size from 56 to 93 square meters, have a sun terrace or balcony.

Regency Suite Twin bedroom at Hyatt Regency Hakone

The hotel kindly left us some welcome goodies on the sun terrace: a bottle of wine, cookies, and cherries.

Bathroom at Regency Suite Twin at Hyatt Regency Hakone

The bathroom was luxurious, with a deep soaking tub and a separate shower, perfect for unwinding after a long day of sightseeing. The traditional Japanese design elements, combined with modern amenities, gave the suite an authentic yet upscale feel.

💡 Good to know

Hyatt Regency Hakone offers 2 Standard Suites to choose from; we opted for the Regency Suite Twin since it had a separate bedroom with doors. If you’re traveling with a larger family, consider upgrading to Regency Suite Tatami, which offers traditional Japanese-style sleeping arrangements and more space.

Dining options at Hyatt Regency Hakone

We enjoyed several meals at Hyatt Regency Hakone, each one thoughtfully prepared and family-friendly. Our daily breakfasts were complimentary thanks to our Globalist status, and we indulged in the wide variety of Western and Japanese offerings at the Dining Room. From freshly baked croissants to traditional Japanese rice dishes, there was something for everyone.

Breakfast at Hyatt Regency Hakone

Breakfast at Hyatt Regency Hakone was served buffet style and had a big spread to choose from.

💡 Good to know

Each evening, the hotel hosts Happy Hour (4:30pm – 6:30pm) in the Lounge, offering guests wine, champagne, and non-alcoholic beverages — a perfect way to relax before dinner.

Dining Room — Western Cuisine

Dining Room — Sushi

Dining Room — Sushi features fresh, seasonal seafood. The kids particularly loved the tuna roll and the matcha ice cream while we savored the expertly crafted nigiri and sashimi.

Onsen experience at Hyatt Regency Hakone

The onsen experience at Hyatt Regency Hakone is one of the most special aspects of staying there. You can enjoy the Owakudani Hot Springs within the hotel, which was an incredibly relaxing experience for the whole family. The large communal bath offers a relaxed and tranquil atmosphere for bathing and is open from 6 a.m. to 12 midnight.

Note that the hotel features two onsen baths (separate for men and women), which are filled with natural hot spring water at 104°F. Keep in mind that swimsuits are not allowed in the bath! (which was definitely something new for the girls to experience).

💡 Good to know

The hotel provided special clothing, a yukata, and a cover for you to use in the onsen and spa.

Exploring Hakone and Beyond

While Hyatt Regency Hakone offers plenty to keep you entertained, we took advantage of the nearby attractions. A must-do is the Hakone Ropeway, which offers stunning views of Mount Fuji (well, at least it should offer, and as the weather was overcast, we did not get a chance to see it from Lake Ashi) as you glide over the volcanic landscape of Owakudani Valley.

Thus, for our short stay in Hakone, the kid-friendly things to do in Hakone included:

1. Hakone Ropeway: This cable car system offers breathtaking aerial views of Hakone, including Mount Fuji, Lake Ashi, and the sulfuric vents of Owakudani. 
2. Owakudani and black eggs: Owakudani is an active volcanic valley known for its sulfuric hot springs and steam vents. The “black eggs” are regular eggs boiled in the sulfuric hot springs, turning their shells black. Local legend says eating one adds 7 years to your life!
3. Lake Ashi cruise: The lake was formed in the caldera of Mount Hakone after its last eruption 3,000 years ago. This scenic cruise offers stunning views of Mount Fuji (weather permitting).
4. Kuzuryu Shrine: Visit a 1,200-year-old shrine dedicated to the nine-headed dragon deity of water. 

We really wanted to visit the Hakone Open-Air Museum but unfortunately didn’t have time. It showcases over 100 sculptures and a special Picasso exhibition!

Bottom line

Our stay at Hyatt Regency Hakone Resort and Spa was truly unforgettable. From the luxurious Regency Suite to the tranquil onsen experience, this resort offers everything a family could want for a peaceful getaway. The staff’s attention to detail and the beautiful natural surroundings made our time here extra special.

Whether you’re redeeming Hyatt Points or just looking for a serene escape in Japan’s mountains, Hyatt Regency Hakone should be at the top of your list for family-friendly accommodations.