Tag Archives: Leisure

Japan: The Hiramatsu Hotels & Resorts Sengokuhara

A View To Fuji San

Our Second Stop in Hakone

We arrive at the very exclusive Hiramatsu Hotels & Resorts Sengokuhara, near Hakone, in the middle of the day, after many adventures on the road (we lost ourselves several times! Lol). This small establishment of 11 gestrooms with a modern architecture, is a real art museum.

In a refine decoration with many elements from Italy, I discover paintings, draws and serigraphs numbered of Japanese and Western masters (Kataoka Tamako, Chagal, Buffet, Miro …). The owner of Hiramatsu Hotels & Resorts, a fine art collector wanted this hotel to be dedicated to gastronomy and farniente.

Here, no long list of activities: our private onsen with water from either Ubako spring or Owakudani spring (both having beneficial effects on the skin) is in the center of our large bathroom / terrace overlooking Fuji San. Early morning, the view is stunning (photo above taken from our room). A feeling of euphoria floats in the air …

  

Beauty is Everywhere

The elegant suite-sized room is a haven of “luxury, calm and pleasure” (Beaudelaire). For a better soundproofing, in front of each room, a private glass corridor and carpet insulate noise (7th picture below).

And if like us, you are fond of beauty and space, this bathroom is a dream! I don’t leave my onsen anymore, staring at the top of the trees, Fuji San and the horizon (photo above). 

I also liked the sliding panels that allow you to modulate the space and hide things like TV. The wide and leather sofa design is a monster of comfort. I don’t even talk about bedding! Everything, every detail is perfect!

     

The Gourmet Restaurant

  

The Dinner

On the two photos above: the view from our room of the garden at night and in the background, the silhouette of Fuji San. Picture below: the stretch of water seen from the main hall of the restaurant. The cuisine of chef Kenjiro Yoshikoshi is as captivating to see as to taste. 

At dinner, the plates looks like paintings. The pleasure of sight associated with that of taste, with an exciting experience of flavors and textures, colors and shapes. Rarely, I have seen such beautiful and good dishes. For example: on the second and third picture photo below, the “Spaghetti puttanesca with marinated abalone“. In fact, the chef specialized in Italian cuisine, recommends mixing spaghetti with the whipped white sauce. It’s divine, so inexpected, top!

I will be able to list all dishes served, with my lean culinary vocabulary (I am not a food critic). But I just want to add that Chef Kenjiro Yoshikoshi’s cooking is art. His cuisine is hedonistic, generous and cheerful. 

Like the chef, his cuisine excels without pretension. As just as all the people who work in this hotel. The service is amazing and very warm. Domo arigato gosaimasu to all the (last picture)!

    

The Breakfast

  

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

Informations  

The Hiramatsu Hotels & Resorts Sengokuhara

Planning your trip with Exclusif Voyages

Flying to Japan : direct flights from Brussels & Paris with ANA

Related articles : DESTINATIONS & HOTEL REVIEWS

Many thanks to Exclusif Voyages, Ryokan Collection and all the team of The Hiramatsu Hotels & Resorts Sengokuhara, for this beautiful and warm invitation. As always theses are my opnions.

Japan: Hakone Suishoen

  

Konichiwa Hakone!

Onsen Adventure

Bye bye Tokyo crowd and frantic pace! What a joy to be in Hakone nature! Two hours from Tokyo: after the train, we take the bus and stop in the middle of nowhere. Then a black limousine, driven by the concierge who will take care of us during our stay, drops us off at the Hakone Suishoen ryokan. There is worse as arrival, isn’t it? 

In the duplex suite, we enjoy our private onsen (thermal bath) overlooking the forest. The modern bathroom is really convenient. The wood walls and panels of the bedroom and living room adding a warm cocooning touch.

On the ground floor, the small terrace with a lazy hammock, opens on high pine trees. Green color everywhere! In a drawer, a guide explaining how to properly adjust your yukata. So I take the opportunity to put on a superb yukata! Both comfortable and so elegant! 

      

Heritage

Lovely Surprise

At the center of the different buildings, a traditional house dating from 1925, is listed as a “Registered Cultural Property” by the Japanese government (photos below). Inside, there is the great Momiji restaurant, as well as a bar with a cosy atmosphere. I have the feeling of being in a movie of the early twentieth century.

  

The dinner

The Elegance

If you are an esthete, you will be more than happy! The elegance by the finesse of flavors and the refinement of presentation. All is said! Unfortunately, I lost my notes with the name of the discreet chef. Thank you also to our concierge, a young woman who explained us with patience and kindness, the composition each dish in every detail. 

Itadakimasu!

      

Nos petits déjeuners

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

Informations  

Hakone Suishoen

Planning your trip with Exclusif Voyages

Flying to Japan : direct flights from Brussels & Paris with ANA

Related articles : DESTINATIONS & HOTEL REVIEWS

Many thanks to Exclusif Voyages, Ryokan Collection and all the team of the Hakone Suishoen, for this beautiful invitation. As always theses are my opnions.

Tokyo: Capitol Hotel Tokyu

A Room With A View

Kumbawa Tokyo!

We arrive from Hiroshima via Himeji to visit the famous Castle. Long day including two trips in Shinkansen (bullet train), three cities – three moods and a thousand impressions! We are a little tired when we arrive in Tokyo tonight. We finally are at the Capitol Hotel Tokyu, conveniently located in Chiyoda-ku, with a metro exit that directly leads to the hotel.

What a great view from our Premier Corner Twin room at the 26th floor! We fall asleep with the show of the city lights. The room is really large: 57.8 m², which means huge for Tokyo. The shower & bath area also offers a superb view! Showering while “flying over” Tokyo. Awesome! 

Minimalist interior design with a great comfort (including an air humidifier). It is very hard to leave your bed (and the bathroom and room too, lol), even if I’m up at dawn! When traveling, I like getting up very early. And in the Land of the Rising Sun, from 5 a.m. it is broad daylight.

  

The Swimming Pool

Some Lengths

My second pool of 20 meters long in Tokyo’s skyscrapers. The first one was at the 47th floor of Park Hyatt Tokyo. Here you can also enjoy a beautiful view of Tokyo. As it opens from 6:30 a.m., we serenely swim before breakfast.

The pool is adjacent to the spa. Unfortunately, we did not have time to test the Carju Rajah Tiado spa. We only stay two nights and Tokyo is huge! For the next trip, the beautista in me will make you a “spa and beauty in Japan” article.

  

The Breakfast

At Origami Restaurant

The breakfast room opens onto the hotel’s garden (pictured above). Which brings a zen contemplative touch. And makes us forget the effervescence of Tokyo!

The buffet is delicious with croissants as good as in France! The products are fresh and the service  is pleasant, besides throughout the hotel, the teams are efficient, polite and smiling. Photos below: our different breakfasts.  

The Entry Hall

This morning, we hit the road for an onsen weekend in Hakone. By depositing our suitcases at the reception (which we pick up back after Hakone), we hear live Japanese music.

What a lovely surprise! In front of the impressive bouquet in the hotel’s entry hall, an elegant musician in kimono plays a traditional instrument. Superb mix and contrast with the modern architecture! Just like our stay at the Capitol Hotel Tokyu, an experience full of finesse. 

    

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

Informations  

Capitol Hotel Tokyu

Planning your trip with Exclusif Voyages

Flying to Japan : direct flights from Brussels & Paris with ANA

Related articles : DESTINATIONS & HOTEL REVIEWS

Many thanks to Exclusif Voyages, Ryokan Collection and Capitol Hotel Tokyu for this beautiful invitation. As always theses are my opnions.