“lucky”

Feel lucky to get an affordable, nice hotel on Lake Hakone which is VERY popular with the Japanese. Being associated with the luxurious Prince hotel, perhaps the best on the lake is a plus. Be sure to book the free one hour direct shuttle from Odawara train station in advance or hope to be lucky as I was in getting a seat. Otherwise be prepared to take a bus or boat combination for 1270 to 2400 Yen which will take well over 2 hours which the tourist "salesmen" from Odayku are happy to sell you.

“Great Location for the price”

Friendly staff, clean rooms, nice (small) outdoor onsen, good food (now buffet for both breakfast and dinner at the Potomac). Have stayed here on a number of occasions and for the price/location it is a great 1 night get away from Tokyo. The rooms are clean but the hotel is older and showing it, stained carpets, rooms could use a new painting and the roof/gutters have seen their share of rain. Of the 3 offerings by Prince around Lake Ashi it is by far the most affordable. I would recomend to anyone looking for a cheap alternative or looking for a 1 night getaway. For families or a it more luxury go next store or down the road to the main Prince hotel however the food is much more expensive and while nice the onsen is a quite a walk from most of the rooms.

“Hakone Annex”

Very nice hotel, can't go wrong. Just be advised that it is in more of a resort area and all restaurants close at 8 PM. Beautiful area with lake gondola etc. Can walk to another small town -- Hokone Moto in about 30 minutes.

“Will go back”

The hotel is nice and clean. All rooms are facing the lake. We checked in a two beds romm with sofa bed. The hotel has outdoor hot spring> I will consider stay again.

“good access from Shinjuku, but.......”

it is very convenient to travel by direct bus from Shinjuku train station, just outside west exit gate. But one must be aware that internal buses in the area ( Hakone-en) are not frequent and stop running before 4.00pm . nearby restaurants close early as well. if you are late, you have to take taxi (expansive) and eat dinner in the hotel , which again is expansive. if you are there for rest and leisure, it is perfectly ok. Beware also of the Hakone Free Pass. Not all internal buses and cruiseships in the lake are cover by this pass. there are different private operators.

“Nice view but the hotel urgently need some improvements”

The plus side : - The hotel is right above the lake Ashi with a nice view on Hakone. - Price is decent compared to other hotels in the area. - Convenient small open air Onsen - Very convenient shuttle bus from Odawara train station The other side : - No Internet connection (even in the lobby). Very disappointing especially during bad weather - Outside is rusty. When it's raining, you get the impression that water is falling right by your bed - Rooms need refreshment as it's been staying the same since the 1960s - After 4:30 PM, there is NOTHING around except the main hotel building which offer over-priced over crowded restaurants.