Review : Fuji Marriott Hotel Lake Yamanaka | Marriott Bonvoy

Nestled in the picturesque landscape of Yamanakako, the Fuji Marriott Hotel Lake Yamanaka offers a beautiful escape from the hustle and bustle of Japan’s metropolises. In the heart of a forest, this hotel offers an experience where nature, comfort and Japanese hospitality meet. For example, you’ll be about 30 minutes from Arakuyama, the ideal place to observe the mountain.

Our journey through Japan took us to the Fuji Marriott Hotel Lake Yamanaka, a hotel tucked away in verdant surroundings close to Lake Yamanaka, from where you can see Mount Fuji. Booking with our Marriott Bonvoy points was a smooth process on the Marriott website, where we could choose our room.

Lake Yamanaka, one of Mount Fuji’s five lakes, is a popular destination for tourists and offers several accommodation options. Here are some of the hotels and ryokans (traditional Japanese inns) available in the Lake Yamanaka area:

• Yamanakako Shuzanso – A ryokan with a beautiful view of Mount Fuji and thermal baths (onsen) for relaxation.
• Hotel Mt. Fuji – Situated on a hill, this hotel offers panoramic views of Mount Fuji and Lake Yamanaka.
• Yamanakako Lodge – An affordable option with simple rooms and easy access to local attractions.
• Cottage Jokigen – Private cottages for families or groups.
• Yamanakako Ryokan Ryoufusou – A traditional ryokan offering an authentic Japanese dining and spa experience.
• Tagaogi – Another ryokan with an onsen and a view of Mount Fuji.
• Kakuyama Hotel – A hotel offering both Western and Japanese-style rooms.
• Villa Loca Garden – A luxury villa with modern amenities and lake views.

Arriving from the north, we chose the Fuji Marriott Hotel Lake Yamanaka, the only Marriott hotel in the area. However, the following hotels belonging to major hotel groups can be found further south:

• Fuji Speedway Hotel, Hyatt
• Hyatt Regency Hakone Resort and Spa, Hyatt
• Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora, IHG
• Hilton Odawara Resort & Spa, Hilton

or further north, the Comfort Inn Kofu, Choice

We chose to rent a car to get from Tokyo to Fuji, then to Kyoto, Nara and Osaka, to make it easier to get between each hotel, to be more flexible in terms of hours, but also for health reasons, as I sprained my knee a few months before our trip.

By car

From Narita International Airport, the hotel is around 170 km away, which means a journey of about 2.5 to 3 hours by car, depending on traffic.

From Haneda International Airport, the distance is around 130 km or about 2 hour’s drive.

The hotel has a large parking lot for your convenience.

By train

If you’re taking the train, you can take the Narita Express line from Narita airport to Tokyo’s Shinjuku station. From here, take the Chuo line to Otsuki, then change to the Fujikyuko line to Fujisan station. Finally, you can take a bus from Fujisan station to Lake Yamanaka. The total journey by train and bus takes around 3 to 4 hours.

You can take the Keikyu line from Haneda airport to Shinagawa station, then follow the above route from Shinjuku station.

On arrival, the receptionist gave us a warm welcome. The hotel was renovated by Za Design and joined the Marriott group in 2017. has an authentic minimalist architecture that links it to nature. The surroundings inspire serenity, calm and harmony.

The bright entrance hall is decorated with wooden elements, natural materials and simple furnishings that evoke a connection with nature. The wall behind the reception desk looks like rain

The Fuji Marriott Hotel Lake Yamanaka offers eight room categories. We stayed in a premium room with a hot spring. The spacious room, decorated with a mix of modernity and traditional Japanese touches, offered every comfort.

The highlight was undoubtedly the hot spring in the bathroom, where we could relax.

The furnishings and decor are simple, in natural wood. The white walls and wooden floor give an impression of simplicity. The room lacks a little warmth for my taste, but that’s the traditional Japanese style.

The bathroom is a good size and modern. It has a Japanese toilet, a hot spring and a shower overlooking the room. An awning can be lowered for greater privacy. The bathroom door is sliding and rather heavy.

As the hotel doesn’t have a lounge for Marriott Bonvoy members, the reception gave us aperitif-type boxes for the evening for everyone. I found that they weren’t the most suitable for children in terms of flavor. In any case, we were comfortable in our little lounge.

The breakfast room is on the first floor and overlooks a magnificent forest. The room is bright and long. Breakfast is free for Platinum members and above.

The dishes are varied and international. Here you’ll find local specialities, different types of fish, a salad bar, cold meats, pastries and breads, some cheese, fruit, cereals and yoghurts.

The weight room is open all day every day and offers cardio machines (bike and treadmill), weights and other sports equipment.

The hotel offers a range of activities to enrich your stay. Nature lovers can explore the surrounding hiking trails or rent a bike for a ride around Lake Yamanaka. For those looking to relax, the hotel spa offers a range of treatments that promise to revitalize body and mind.

A games room for families and an outdoor tennis court are also available.

A laundry room is available to guests. However, the hotel does not offer detergent. Change can be made at reception. The room doesn’t allow you to wait for your laundry, but you can sit in front of the elevator or wait in your room to return at the last minute.

The Fuji Marriott Hotel Lake Yamanaka offers a relaxing escape in a natural setting. This hotel is an excellent option for your stay near Mount Fuji, whether you’re a family or a couple.

On this trip to Japan in 2023, we tried out other hotels. Take a look at our other reviews:

Here are our guides to Japan: