Hakone's Hidden Gem: Auberge Au Mirador's Unforgettable Luxury
Hakone's Hidden Gem: Auberge Au Mirador - Is It Really Worth the Hype? (My Chaotic, Honest Review)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to unleash a review so raw, it'll probably offend a few perfectly manicured digital marketing teams. But hey, you're here for the truth, right? About Auberge Au Mirador, Hakone's supposed "Hidden Gem"? Is it really a diamond, or just a sparkly pebble? Let's dive in, headfirst.
First, the disclaimer: I'm a travel enthusiast, not a professional travel blogger. I crave experiences, not perfectly polished prose. I value a good view and a comfy bed above all else. And I can be a bit of a control freak, especially when it comes to cleanliness. So, with that out of the way…
Accessibility: A Mountain Goat's Playground?
Okay, so accessibility is… tricky. Hakone, being a mountain resort town, isn't exactly known for being flat and easy. I'm not using a wheelchair myself, but I did see the hotel has facilities for disabled guests, which is a huge plus. The elevator is a LIFESAVER. Navigating the grounds could be a bit of a challenge for some, though. Steep inclines are the name of the game. Getting around is also helped by the free car park. It would be nice to have more details on the exact accessibility of the facilities, so I'm deducting a few points here. (Accessibility - Not Perfect, But Trying)
Cleanliness and Safety: My Obsession, Your Peace of Mind
Listen, I'm a germophobe. (Don't judge, it's a pandemic thing!) Luckily, Au Mirador gets it. The anti-viral cleaning products made me breathe a sigh of relief. They also have a daily disinfection of common areas, room sanitization opt-out available, and rooms sanitized between stays. Seriously, my Type A soul was thrilled. The hand sanitizer dispensers were everywhere, and the staff? Trained to actually use the safety protocols. They were wearing masks and appeared to know what they were doing. The best thing is probably the safe dining setup, making dining feel like a spa experience! All of this feels very reassuring. This should be standard, but it's really nice to see it done! (Cleanliness and Safety - A+ for a Nervous Nelly)
Rooms: My Personal Sanctuary (with a few minor flaws)
Let me tell you: the rooms are gorgeous. The air conditioning blasted glorious coolness. The blackout curtains? Essential for a good night's sleep (and hiding from the world, let's be honest). The complimentary tea & coffee maker – well, that's just pure heaven. I specifically asked for a high floor, and the view was breathtaking. I was especially a big fan of the slippers and bathrobes. The room had a private bathroom; a separate shower/bathtub and additional toilet, which is pretty useful. Internet, with free Wi-Fi available in all rooms!! The internet access via LAN also helped.
Now, the (minor) downsides. The slippers, towels, and bathrobes were comfy. But the bed, while comfortable, wasn't the most supportive I've ever encountered. Maybe the alarm clock could use an upgrade, too (it just felt a little dated). But honestly, these are nitpicks. The vibe was perfect. A place for relaxation! I would've liked an on-demand movie selection, though I would not have used it. (Rooms: 4.5/5 - Almost Perfect, But Nothing is)
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Culinary Adventure (Mostly)
Okay, so let's talk food. Au Mirador offers something for everyone. The Asian breakfast was a delight. There was also international cuisine in the restaurant. I was a little overwhelmed by the choices, and would not say the salad in this restaurant was particularly special.
The bar was well-stocked. The poolside bar had the right vibe. I also adored the coffee shop! All of that can be enjoyed with the bottle of water, provided for free! The fact that there was the breakfast service, and a breakfast buffet was amazing for me. The fact that there's room service, available 24-hours is also a plus!
However, the soup could have been better. There was a vegetarian restaurant, which I did not try. Overall, the dining at Auberge Au Mirador is definitely a cut above the average. (Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: 4/5 - Plenty of Good, Some Room for Improvement)
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Pure Bliss (Except the Fitness Center, Sorry)
This is where Au Mirador shines. The pool with a view?! Stunning. The sauna and the spa were pure indulgence. The massage was divine. I was also impressed with the foot bath. They also have a Steamroom! You can relax and unwind. Oh, and did I see body scrub? I can not wait to experience it.
The fitness center, also known as the gym/fitness did not impress me, although I'm not a huge gym person anyway. But honestly, with views like that, who needs to be cooped up inside? (Things to Do & Ways to Relax : 4.7/5 - Near Perfect)
Service & Conveniences: The Little Things That Make a Big Difference
They got a lot of the little things right. Concierge? Super helpful. Daily housekeeping? My room always felt fresh and welcoming. Laundry service? Needed it, used it, loved it. I've also heard about the food delivery that's available. The luggage storage helped a lot. Having a gift/souvenir shop is a plus and the safety deposit boxes are important for safety.
They have business facilities if you work. The also have meeting/banquet facilities. Cashless payment service works well. I appreciated the elevator immensely. The only downside is the smallish convenience store. (Service & Conveniences - 4.6/5 - Attention to Detail is Key)
For the Kids: Family-Friendly, But Not Disney World
They offer babysitting service. They have family/child friendly facilities. This isn't geared towards little tykes. (For the Kids: 3.5/5 - Decent, But Not Centered on Kids)
Accessibility: A Mountain Goat's Playground? This is already mentioned previously.
Getting Around: The airport transfers are perfect. The bicycle parking and the car parking on-site can be found on the property. The also have a taxi service if you need one. Additionally, they do valet parking.
My Chaotic Conclusion: Is Au Mirador Worth It? YES!
Look, Auberge Au Mirador isn't perfect. But it's damn close. It's a place where you can truly disconnect and recharge. It's luxurious without being stuffy. It's clean, the views are incredible, and the staff is genuinely friendly and helpful.
My biggest memory?: Waking up, drawing the curtains, and being completely floored by the sight of Mount Fuji framed perfectly by the window. That moment. That's what makes this place special. That's what makes Auberge Au Mirador a hidden gem.
Final Verdict: 4.5/5 Star Recommendation. Book it. Now.
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Escape to Hakone's Hidden Paradise: Unwind at Auberge Au Mirador!
Stop dreaming and start experiencing the ultimate luxury retreat in Hakone! Auberge Au Mirador offers:
- Breathtaking Views: Wake up to panoramic vistas of Mount Fuji and the surrounding mountains.
- Unparalleled Relaxation: Indulge in the spa, sauna, and pool with a view.
- Impeccable Cleanliness & Safety: Relax knowing our top priority is your well-being with rigorous hygiene protocols.
- Delectable Dining: Savor exceptional cuisine, from Asian breakfasts to international delights.
- Luxury and Comfort: Spacious rooms, plush amenities, and attentive service.
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[LINK TO BOOKING PAGE]
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Hoi An's Hidden Gem: Phuoc An Hotel - Unbelievable Luxury Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving into my utterly chaotic, gloriously imperfect, and hopefully hilarious trip to Auberge Au Mirador Hakone. Forget those pristine itineraries you see online. We're going real. We're going honest. We're going… slightly unhinged.
The Auberge Au Mirador Hakone: A Pretentious Pilgrimage (and a Tiny Meltdown)
Day 1: Arrival and Immediate Regret (Just Kidding… Mostly)
7:00 AM: My alarm screams. Okay, let's be honest, it whimpers. I hit snooze. Twice. Three times. Finally, I drag myself out of bed, cursing the international time difference that feels personal. Packing? A pre-trip disaster. I'm pretty sure I packed three pairs of the exact same black leggings. Fashion genius, right here!
9:00 AM: Airport chaos. The usual. Trying to find my gate, dodging rogue suitcases, and mentally preparing for the inevitable airplane food. Oh, the airplane food. I swear, it's a conspiracy to make you hate eating.
4:00 PM (Japan Time): ARRIVAL! Narita Airport. Glorious, efficient, and… completely overwhelming. Japanese signs are a beautiful mystery. Lost my way, but quickly found the Hakone bus!
5:00 PM: The bus ride to Hakone. Winding roads. Stunning views of Mt. Fuji teasing us from behind the clouds. This is it, I thought. This is the zen I signed up for, the peace, the serenity.
6:00 PM: Finally, the Auberge! It's… beautiful. Pictures don't do it justice, all wood and glass and minimalist elegance. I nearly choked on my own awe. Then I tripped over a decorative rock and almost took out a priceless vase. First impressions, people. First impressions.
6:30 PM: Check-in. The staff are the epitome of polite, but I swear I saw a flicker of amusement in the concierge’s eyes when I blurted out, "I don't own a kimono!" (It really seemed like everyone else did!) They pointed me towards my room (a small, clean, bright room).
7:00 PM: The room! Small, clean, bright…and my luggage is nowhere to be seen (later found at the beginning of the trip). Panic sets in. Where is my stuff? Commence internal monologue of pure despair. "Oh God, I'll have to wear the same black leggings again tomorrow?!"
7:30 PM: Dinner. Oh. My. God. Kaiseki dining. Course after course of the most exquisite, delicate, tiny food I've ever seen. It was stunning and all very new and it also took four hours. I'm pretty sure I ate an entire radish in one bite, and I was afraid of saying the wrong word!
11:00 PM: Bedtime. Drained emotionally. This zen life is HARD WORK.
Day 2: The Art of Humbling Yourself in a Museum (and Almost Drowning)
8:00 AM: Breakfast, another tiny, perfect display. This time, my luggage makes its appearance. Praise the Lord!
9:00 AM: Hakone Open-Air Museum. Holy moly. Giant sculptures, nature, the Fuji playing peek-a-boo again. It was all so…impressive. I spent an hour trying to figure out what one massive metal sculpture was supposed to be and finally gave up and decided it was a metaphor for the human condition. Or maybe I was just hungry.
11:00 AM: The Hakone Venetian Glass Museum was the highlight of my stay. The way the light shimmers through each delicate piece is breathtaking. I spent hours there in a time warp where the world felt as clean as the glass itself. I was so moved by the sheer beauty.
1:00 PM: Okay, deep breath. Lunch. Tried soba noodles like a real person. Sucked. Noodles, sauce, and my own face. I looked like a disaster.
2:00 PM: The Hakone Ropeway. Okay, this is it. This is where the fun began. Views of the volcanic hot springs below? Absolutely spectacular. The smell? Intense. Like rotten eggs and…something else, something earthy and primal. One of the main sights, the volcanic vapors from Owakudani, are all about sulphur and the black eggs. I was warned by the staff at the front desk about the smell; it's awful, they said. And they were right, the experience feels like you're being slowly cooked in the depths of the Earth.
3:00 PM: I'm on the Ropeway, the next car, and the cable suddenly stops! Panic. We're suspended in mid-air, over a steaming volcanic valley with a smell reminiscent of a sewer. My stomach churns, and I'm pretty sure I hyperventilate. The only light through the smoky clouds. I think I lost my mind. "Oh no," I thought. "I'm going to die in a gondola in Hakone. This is not how I imagined my life!"
3:30 PM: The cable starts again. Pure, unadulterated relief washes over me. I swear, I will never complain about anything ever again. (Spoiler alert: I lied.)
5:00 PM: Returned to the Auberge, exhausted but alive.
7:00 PM: The onsen, or hot spring bath. Okay, this is supposed to be incredibly relaxing. It was…an experience. Getting naked in front of strangers? Super awkward. Hot water? Intense. Realized I'm not built for communal nudity. Took one look at the other bathers, nearly had a panic attack, and fled back to my room.
8:00 PM: Dinner. More tiny, perfect food. I focused on breathing and managed to eat with some semblance of grace.
10:00 PM: Bed. Still thinking about the gondola incident. Still smelling the volcanic fumes. Wondering if I'll ever be truly zen.
Day 3: So Long, Hakone! (and a promise to myself to return)
8:00 AM: Last breakfast. Said goodbye to the tiny portions of perfection. And was genuinely sad to leave.
9:00 AM: Check out. Said goodbye to the staff, who clearly thought I was a complete disaster, but in a good way.
10:00 AM: The bus back to the airport. This time, the views felt bittersweet. I'd been humbled, terrified, and utterly charmed.
12:00 AM: The flight home. Staring out the window, thinking about the black leggings. And realizing that even in the midst of chaos, there was something truly magical about Hakone.
So there you have it. My messy, flawed, and utterly unforgettable trip to Auberge Au Mirador Hakone. Would I go back? In a heartbeat. But next time, I'm packing earplugs, a crash course in Japanese etiquette, and maybe a hazmat suit for the Ropeway. And I'm definitely bringing more than three pairs of black leggings, because let's be real, that was my own fault.
Nantes Getaway: Unbeatable Luxury at Best Western Nuit De Retz!
Hakone's Hidden Gem: Auberge Au Mirador - The Unfiltered Guide (and My Personal Meltdown After the Massage)
Okay, First Things First: What *Is* This Auberge Thing? And Why Should I Even Care?
Look, if you're picturing some stuffy, beige hotel chain, STOP. Auberge Au Mirador is *not* that. It's a proper, old-school, *luxury* auberge nestled in the mountains of Hakone. Think intimate, think views that'll make your jaw drop, and think food that’ll redefine your definition of “delicious.” They call it a "hidden gem," and honestly? They're kind of right. It's tucked away, you have to *actually* want to go there (unlike those mega-hotels everyone flocks to), and it's a world away. I mean, honestly, the second I stepped out of the car, I felt this instant…calm. Like, the screaming toddler on the train to Hakone suddenly faded into a hazy memory. Which, let me tell you, was a *miracle*.
Alright, You've Got My Attention. But What About the Rooms? Are They Like, Tiny Shoe Boxes?
Absolutely. Not. Okay, I need to be honest: my room was not a *palace*. But it was beautiful. Think sleek, modern design with a serious nod to Japanese minimalism - think clean lines, lots of natural light, and a view that *destroyed* me. Okay, maybe "destroyed" is dramatic. But it made my soul sigh. The balcony! Oh, the balcony. I spent a shameful amount of time curled up there, sipping tea and staring out at the volcanic hot spring. (Yes, *that* hot spring, the one with all the sulfur smells, the one that is supposed to be good for your health.) And the bed? Pure, cloud-like bliss. I'm a terrible sleeper, but I zonked out immediately. My partner, on the other hand... well, they snored like a grumpy bear, but even *they* admitted the bed was glorious. Plus, the bathroom was HUGE. Definitely no shoe box situation. Seriously, it's a luxurious bubble of serenity.
Everyone's Talking About the Food. Is It *Really* That Good? Because, Honestly, I'm a Picky Eater...
Ugh. Okay, LISTEN. I'm not one to gush about food. I eat to live, not the other way around. But the meals at Auberge Au Mirador? They were…a *revelation*. Think delicate French-Japanese fusion, using super-fresh, seasonal ingredients. Each course felt like a work of art. And the flavors! Oh, the flavors! I remember one dish… it was a perfectly seared piece of local fish, with this unbelievably creamy sauce and some kind of microgreens that I *swear* tasted like sunshine. (I’m probably exaggerating, but it was that good). Even my partner, who *literally* eats plain pasta with butter, was converted. He tried everything. EVERYTHING. And he loved it. That’s a miracle. They also have a fantastic wine list. Don't miss the breakfast, either – a glorious spread of pastries, fresh fruit, and (of course) miso soup, that perfectly balanced the rich, savory flavors with the more delicate ones. Warning: You will want to lick your plate. I almost did.
So, Let's Talk Activities. Besides Eating and Sleeping, What Is There To *Do*?
Well, Hakone itself is like a playground of nature and art. You're right near the open-air museum (which, spoiler alert: is actually amazing, even if you think art museums are boring), the volcanic hot springs (those are a must-do, but be warned...the smell!), and the stunning views of Mt. Fuji (weather permitting, of course – I got completely clouded out, but the experience of being there was worth it! Also, the food!). The Auberge itself has a spa. And, here's where I get all emotional…
The SPA! Tell me about the spa!
Okay. The spa. THE SPA. I opted for the full body massage because, well, I deserve it after travelling to Japan: I needed to feel like a pampered, well-oiled machine of happiness. And for the first, oh, thirty minutes, it *was* glorious. Hands down, one of the best massages of my life. The therapist was incredibly skilled, kneading away all the stress knots that had been building up in my shoulders and neck. The scent of the essential oils… divine. The music…calming. I was basically melting into the massage table.
Then… something happened. I don't know if it was the intensity of the massage, a delayed reaction to the plane ride, or just my general overthinking tendencies. Whatever it was, I started to… weep. Silent, ugly tears, streaming down my face. I was mortified. I tried to stifle the sobs, but it was no use. I was a blubbering mess. The therapist, bless her heart, was incredibly professional, and just kept kneading and providing the tissues. I’m pretty sure she pretended not to notice I was having a full-blown emotional breakdown. I am incredibly grateful for it.
When it was all over, I felt…amazing. Lighter, more relaxed, AND utterly embarrassed. I spent the next hour hiding in my room, feeling like a complete idiot. But, hey, isn’t that what vacations are for? To let your guard down, eat incredible food, and have a complete emotional collapse in a spa? And to this day, I still give Auberge Au Mirador all the credit.
Is it Expensive? Be Honest.
Yes. It's not cheap. It’s a luxury experience. Be prepared to open your wallet. Think long and hard about it. But honestly? For the experience, the food, the service, and (yes, even the spa-induced meltdown)… to me, it was worth it. It was a splurge, a treat, an investment in my sanity. You know, IF you have the money. I actually started saving for my next trip the moment I checked out.
What's the Vibe? Is it Super Formal?
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