Where to stay in Hakone for 1 night?

We’re planning a 1-night stay in Hakone between Tokyo and Kyoto in November. Our original budget was around $300/night, but all the options are quite higher – so we want to make sure if we splurge, it feels worth it.

Here are the contenders (prices we’ve found):
– The Prince Hakone Lake Ashinoko $400
– Yumoto Fujiya Hotel $456
– Ajisai Onsen Ryokan $585
– Hyatt Regency Hakone $670

My impressions so far:
– Yumoto Fujiya is right by the station (convenient), but seems more like a business hotel and not very “special” for the price.

  • Ajisai Ryokan gives the tatami + kaiseki + onsen experience, but it’s almost $600 and I’m unsure if it’s the best-value ryokan option.

  • Hyatt Regency looks like guaranteed 5-star luxury and amazing service, but it’s also the most expensive (and less “Japanese” in style).

-The Prince Hakone is $400, right on Lake Ashi with gardens and an onsen — seems like a better value than Yumoto, but it’s more remote.

Which would you pick?

by Intrepid-Tomatillo72