Ryokan Senkei

We were looking for an authentic ryokan experience, especially food and onsen baths, and Senkei gave us more than we could imagine. We had two breakfasts and two dinners, kaiseki style, each meal served in our rooms, and presented by our server/host, Taiko, who described each dish. Each dish was its own work of art, on gorgeous dishware. We have a fairly experienced and adventurous palate for Japanese traditional food so appreciated the variety, with many items never before tasted. It was very plentiful, with soup, array of pickled items, seafood, hotpot dish, and more. We felt like we were in heaven savoring each dish in a beautiful tatami room with a view of the mountains and large cherry blossom tree in front of the hotel. The room itself was a unique traditional tatami suite called Youra, one of several special suites in the ryokan. It had a dining area with both tatami style table as well as a western style dining set, and separate alcove with futon on a platform, and bath area with deep bathtub with onsen hot water, and bidet and spacious vanity counter. The path to the suite is quite awesome, not a usual hotel structure, but built into a mountainside with waterfalls and gardens along the path. However an elevator is available also. The two public onsen, one an open airrooftop retreat, and another on the ground floor were both incredibly soothing and very special. We feel so lucky to have experienced the Hotel Senkei ryokans! It was a total immersion in the ryokan culture - culinary, aesthetics, and kind hospitality of all the staff. Note that the Hotel Senkei has two other hotels in its group, a business hotel and another hotel complex, all under its Senkei name, and they are a different type of lodging, more a typical hotel vs ryokan. From our arrival to departure, everything felt perfect and we felt like VIPs and very cared for.

Gorgeous area, fantastic views and very friendly staff. The facilities were well explained to me and I used both the indoor and the outdoor baths. The outdoor bath was stunning, lovely and calm in the evening. I made good use of the free yukata and the kotatsu which was very comfortable.

We loved the experience of being in a ryokan. The food was so exquisitely prepared, and was never the same for 2 days. We had the best attendant - Bali- who was so ready to help us in any way. The massage spa was perfect, although their hours are limited. The onsen was clean and had nice products, and was very relaxing. Senkei was within walking distance of the main part of Hakone.

Great hospitality from the staff at the gate and at the reception, and especially from girls and boys who arranged the rooms for sleeping and eating. We had a lot of flexibility with the check-in, and we could also choose the time we wanted dinner and breakfast to be served in our rooms. The rooms were spacious and provided a beautiful traditional Japanese inn experience. The indoor and outdoor onsens provided scenic views and great relaxation.

We had a great stay. We asked to not stay in the Annex, so we were in the traditional style room. This was lovely! We also paid for the meal plan with dinner and breakfast for three nights. The meals were traditional Japanese style. The service was good and the meals were delicious just a bit wild for our tastebuds, but it was all about the full experience. After the first traditional breakfast we asked to switch to a western style meal and they had no problem doing so. The dinners were five star. Presentation was amazing and unique flavours. The hotel was clean and well situated. It is an older hotel, so don’t expect modern rooms. Very spacious for two people. Staff was friendly and very welcoming