A group of 18 of us held a reunion at the Hakone Gora last week, in the midst of a heat wave; unfortunately, the weather obscured the beautiful Fuji views that are the main attraction of the Hakone area; while the hotel was not as plush as the Hyatt Regency a 5 minute away that I had stayed on during my trip 3 years ago, we found it a terrific place for a gathering, with very helpful friendly staff, great breakfast and dinner banquet, Japanese style. The Japanese style rooms were nicely laid out (western also available) with theoretically great views, and though in need of some modernisation, they were comfortable and clean. The hot springs Ofuro (both indoor and out) was a slight disappointment --- bathing area was cramped and the outdoor onsen on the small side, but nonetheless refreshing. The Hakone cable car is 3 minute walk away, albeit down a steep hill; approach to Gora is a very very steep walk down, will be impossible to walk back up. All in all, a good value, too bad, the weather was a dampener (90+ heat and humidity, no Fuji). The Hyatt is no doubt much plusher, but at 3x the price. Also note that there is no ineternet at all ex for a PC (extremely slow!) in the office.