By Meiko Yoshioka

Travel May. 19, 2008 - 03:35PM JST ( 2 )

ODAWARA —

Nestled in the quiet foothills of Hakone is the impressive Hilton Odawara Resort & Spa. Opened in 2004 and awarded “World Travel Award - Japan’s Leading Spa Resort” three years in a row, this resort is the perfect place for a weekend getaway to rejuvenate oneself from the stress of city life.

The lobby is a jaw-dropper – a vast high ceiling, sunlight pouring in from the big windows and a simply decorated, spacious lounge area. The modernly designed guest rooms (rates range from 18,650 yen to 27,650 yen/person) are located in the main wing and all the 172 rooms overlook the Sagami Bay where the spectacular views combined with fresh sea air will knock years off your life. If you want to spoil yourself, you can choose the Japanese or Western-style suites or take it a step further and indulge in one of the 10 cottages that are hidden in the garden.

However, after exploring the rest of the hotel, you may realize that you will not be spending much time in the rooms and instead spending it in one of the many leisure and sports facilities offered by the resort.

The Bade wing, which is accessible from the guest rooms via a passageway on the 3F of the main wing has three floors. The Bade Zone, on the 1st floor has an impressive 25-meter indoor swimming pool, 11 different hydrotherapy spa pools and saunas. On the 2nd floor, the AquaBeautéSpa is the perfect place for a day trip to detox and re-energize oneself from the stress of everyday life in Tokyo. After filling out a detailed consulting sheet, I was taken through to the locker rooms to change before being led to one of the five treatment rooms which was small but comfortable and well equipped.

What I liked about the experience was its simplicity – a measured treatment menu (in Japanese and English) that offered a good choice of seven treatments each for the face and body without the fancy jargon that usually just confuses. It also has a separate manicure and pedicure menu. I opted for the 60-minute Oil Treatment which is a full body theraputic signature massage with virgin Jojoba oil (13,650 yen). Once the treatment started, I was immediately put to ease by the touches that come only with the confidence of an experienced therapist.

The therapist explained that the treatment heals, nourishes, repairs and re-texturizes the skin using techniques such as reflexology and a lymphatic massage which helps the body to get rid of the toxins. The rest of the treatment became a blur as I felt myself drifting into a hypnotic state, largely thanks to the calm, background music and I came back to reality mentally refreshed and physically glowing. On the 3rd floor, you can just relax in one of the natural hot spring baths or the heated stone spa.

The Sports Wing consists of two indoor tennis courts, a sports arena where you can play volleyball, basketball, table tennis and badminton, a fitness center and studio (where a wide range of lessons are offered from circuit training to Ashtanga yoga), a jogging track and last but certainly not least an indoor golf range. That’s just the indoor facilities – there are also four outdoor tennis courts and a 18-hole putting greens.

For those who still have time left, pottery lessons are offered at ceramic studio where you can make your very own cup and saucer for your souvenir.

For dining, the resort has two restaurants and a bar to suit everybody’s needs whether it be a light casual lunch or a full-course meal. The main restaurant Brasserie Flora on the 1st floor of the main wing offers all-day dining, and only uses seasonal ingredients chosen specially by the executive chef which means that the menu changes every month. For those who just want a quick lunch in between laps, the poolside restaurant Aquafé, located on the 2nd floor of the Bade wing, offers a casual lunch and saves you the hassle of having to change. If the views from your room is not enough, then go the sky lounge Attica where weekend lunch and after dinner drinks comes with an amazing panoramic view of the ocean which is guaranteed to take your breath away.

The Hilton Odawara Resort & Spa is located at 583-1 Nebukawa, Odawara City, Kanagawa, 250-0024. Tel: 0465-29-1000, fax: 0465-28-1233. It is a 15-minute shuttle bus ride from Odawara Station. There is also a regular 5-minute shuttle bus service from Nebukawa Station, two stops from Odawara.