Tag Archives: Quality Service

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.

Castel Fragsburg: Fantastic Gourmet Restaurant

The road narrows into tight laces,

lined with vineyards, for your viewing pleasure! The restaurant’s charming Castel Fragsburg nestled atop a mountain, offers a panoramic on a bucolic landscape and the stonished Dolomites.

Simple, elegant and timeless, the atmosphere reminds me of the famous Dejeuner sur l’herbe of Renoir. I feel good, so I could spend hours on the terrace. With a good book under the shade of trees, lulled by a gentle breeze …

What choosing? A sparkling water followed by divine staters. Originality of tastes and textures and beautiful presentation. An unique mustard ice cream (picture 2). My plates look like paintings.

The presention is neat and airy,

with small proportions. I like the balance between solids and voids in a plate. The smiling staff is really professional, present without being intrusive. The main course is a succulent fish on a bed of black rice. Light and tasty.

More salty than sweet, I didn’t taste the desserts, but I like the concept of dark chocolate sticks with salty popcorn (picture 3). Very regressive!

I finish the meal with a great passion fruit tea (picture 4)! My gaze rests on a couch by the pool: now the farniente (or the “doing absolutely nothing” art) is calling me! Enjoy the break!

Informations   

www.fragsburg.comwww.suedtirol.info, www.meranerland.com, www.suedtirols-sueden.info, www.lufthansa.com    

Related posts : DESTINATIONSHOTEL REVIEWS & LIFESTYLE

Many thanks for this beautiful invitation to Suedtirol and Lufthansa. And thanks to the chef Luis Haller and his great team too. As always these opinions are my own.