If you’re planning to stay in Moto-Hakone, you’ve probably come across two famous hotels: Hotel de Yama and Hakone Hotel.
After visiting both several times, I found that although they share many similarities, they offer very different experiences.
At a Glance
What Both Hotels Have in Common
Both hotels offer many of the same advantages.
- Historic luxury hotels with over 100 years of history
- Excellent service and highly rated restaurants
- Quiet, relaxing atmosphere
- Convenient location for exploring Moto-Hakone
- Easy access to Lake Ashi, Hakone Shrine, Hakone Checkpoint, and other major attractions
- A stay that combines sightseeing with a peaceful hotel experience
Quick Comparison
The biggest differences come down to these four points.
| Hotel de Yama | Hakone Hotel | |
|---|---|---|
| ① Scenery | Gardens & seasonal flowers | Lake Ashi views |
| ② Atmosphere | Classic historic hotel | Bright lakeside resort |
| ③ Dining | French & Kaiseki | French & Teppanyaki |
| ④ Hot Spring | Outdoor bath & sauna | Indoor bath |
| ※Typical Price | ¥35,000–55,000 | ¥25,000–40,000 |
Want to compare room types and current prices?
Let’s look at each one in more detail.
① Scenery | Lake Ashi or Beautiful Gardens?
Although both hotels overlook Lake Ashi and the surrounding Hakone mountains, the scenery each hotel is known for is quite different.
Hotel de Yama
Hotel de Yama’s biggest attraction is its magnificent garden.
The gardens are especially famous for their azaleas and rhododendrons in spring, attracting visitors from all over Japan.
As a hotel guest, you can also enjoy peaceful walks through the gardens early in the morning or in the evening, after most visitors have left.
I’ve also written a detailed guide covering the guest rooms, facilities, hot spring, and who Hotel de Yama is best suited for.
Thinking about staying here?
☛ Check the latest rates for Hotel de Yama on Booking.com
Hakone Hotel
Hakone Hotel is all about Lake Ashi.
The lake is right in front of the hotel, and you can enjoy the view from the lobby, lounge, restaurant, terrace, and many guest rooms.
Many guests mention how relaxing it is to sit on the terrace with a welcome drink or simply watch the changing scenery over the lake. There are also hammocks and outdoor sofas where you can unwind while enjoying the fresh air and beautiful views.
I’ve also written a detailed guide covering the guest rooms, facilities, hot spring, and who Hakone Hotel is best suited for.
Thinking about staying here?
☛ Check the latest rates for Hakone Hotel on Booking.com
② Atmosphere | A Bright Lakeside Resort or a Classic Historic Hotel?
Both hotels have over 100 years of history and offer the warm hospitality you would expect from long-established luxury hotels.
However, the atmosphere is quite different.
Hotel de Yama
Hotel de Yama has a classic and elegant atmosphere.
Its historic architecture, traditional interiors, and beautiful gardens create a timeless sense of luxury. Walking through the gardens or relaxing inside the hotel feels like stepping back to a quieter era.
The hotel itself is part of the experience.
Hakone Hotel
Hakone Hotel feels bright, open, and relaxing.
Large windows, lakeside terraces, and modern interiors make the scenery feel like part of the hotel itself. Instead of drawing your attention to the building, the design naturally leads your eyes toward Lake Ashi.
Although the hotel has a long history, it feels more like a European lakeside resort than a traditional historic hotel.
③ Dining | French Cuisine or Traditional Japanese Kaiseki?
Both hotels are known for their excellent food.
The biggest difference is that Hotel de Yama also offers authentic Japanese kaiseki cuisine.
Hotel de Yama
One of Hotel de Yama’s biggest advantages is its variety of dining options.
In addition to its French restaurant, the hotel also has Tsutsuji no Chaya, which serves traditional Japanese kaiseki cuisine.
When I visited, I enjoyed my meal while looking out over Lake Ashi through the large windows.
If you’d like the option of Japanese dining during your stay, Hotel de Yama offers more variety.
Planning to have lunch instead?
Read my Hotel de Yama Lunch Review
Hakone Hotel
Hakone Hotel’s main restaurant, Il Miraggio, serves French cuisine with beautiful views of Lake Ashi.
I’ve had lunch here several times, and every meal has been excellent.Watching the lake through the large windows made the experience even more memorable.
The hotel also has a teppanyaki restaurant, giving guests another excellent dining option.
Planning to have lunch instead?
Read my Hakone Hotel Lunch Review.
④ Hot Spring | Which Hotel Has Better Bath Facilities?
If you’re choosing based on the hot spring facilities alone, there is a clear difference.
Hotel de Yama
Hotel de Yama has more extensive hot spring facilities.
The hotel uses its own natural hot spring source without added water. Guests can also enjoy an outdoor bath, a dry sauna in the men’s bath, and a mist sauna in the women’s bath.
Although the bath itself isn’t especially large, the facilities are more extensive than those at Hakone Hotel.
Hakone Hotel
Hakone Hotel has two public baths.
One features an outdoor hot spring bath, while the other offers an indoor public bath with a jacuzzi. Both use heated water, and the hot spring water is adjusted with heating and added water as needed.
There is no sauna, so the facilities are relatively simple.
Rather than being the main attraction, the bath is a relaxing place to unwind after a day of sightseeing around Lake Ashi.
Who Should Stay at Each Hotel?
Both are also among Japan’s most respected historic hotels, with excellent service and highly rated restaurants.
So, which one should you choose?
Choose Hotel de Yama if you…
- Love beautiful gardens and seasonal flowers.
- Prefer a classic historic hotel with timeless elegance.
- Want the option of traditional Japanese kaiseki cuisine.
- Enjoy relaxing in an outdoor bath or sauna.
- Plan to visit during the famous azalea season.
Ready to experience Hotel de Yama?
☛ Check the latest rates & availability for Hotel de Yama on Booking.com
Choose Hakone Hotel if you…
- Want to stay as close as possible to Lake Ashi.
- Enjoy relaxing on terraces or in lakeside lounges.
- Prefer a bright, open resort atmosphere.
- Love French cuisine or teppanyaki.
- Want to spend more time enjoying the scenery than the hot spring facilities.
Ready to experience Hakone Hotel?
☛ Check the latest rates and availability for Hakone Hotel on Booking.com
My Final Thoughts
If you asked me which hotel I’d choose today, I’d probably pick Hakone Hotel.
The feeling of relaxing beside Lake Ashi—with the open terrace, beautiful lake views, and peaceful atmosphere—felt unlike anywhere else I’ve stayed in Japan.
Although, if I were visiting during the azalea season, I would probably choose Hotel de Yama instead.
Whichever you choose, I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful stay in Moto-Hakone.
Photo Credit: All photos were taken by the author unless otherwise noted.
