Please help us choose a ryokan in Hakone
 

We are a family of four (children ages 6 and 10) and would like to have a ryokan experience that would be worth the splurge. We had our eye on Ginyu. Unfortunately, it is fully booked. As an alternative, we were suggested Mikawaya. Although it is in category A/B and not A+ as Ginyu but will cost us almost $1000, which is similar to what we would pay for the cheapest room in Ginyu. Is this too much for Mikawaya or we should go for it? I also like Sekyora. Which one of the two would you recommend? Any other alternatives? An outdoor onsen bath is highly desirable, especially private. Thanks.

I misspelled Senkyoro as Sekyora. Sorry.

Have you looked at http://www.japaneseguesthouses.com/db/hakone/index.htm and http://www.ryokancollection.com/eng/index.htm

We only stayed at a simple place in Hakone, Senkei Plaza, as we splurged in Kurakowa. Senkei does have different grades of accomodation too - but I think there will be nicer places.

Thanks for the links. We actually booked Yoshimatsu for one night. Looks nice on the pictures. Has anyone stayed there? How was your experience?

Yoshimatsu has high ratings and is more traditional than Ginyu. It's certainly superior to Mikigawa. However, make sure you ask the hotel about your kids. Many couples go to ryokans for their honeymoon or anniversary and thus some ryokans (and, more likely, your fellow hotel guests) are less accommodating to kids.