The Fuji Speedway Hotel, part of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, only opened in October last year, but it is already leaving the competition in its rear-view mirror with impressive levels of service, in an enviable position alongside one of Japan's most iconic race tracks and overlooked by Mount Fuji.
The links between luxury accommodation and the Fuji Speedway—a Grade 1 circuit certified by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile that hosts races and events throughout the year, including the FIA World Endurance Championship and Super GT—are apparent throughout the hotel.
The Robata Oyama restaurant—take a close look at that logo and the racing connection becomes obvious—prides itself on utilizing seasonal specialties and also serves an excellent selection of wines and beers, including a one-off collaboration with a local brewery to produce the Fuji Speedway Hotel beer.
The Trofeo Lounge is named after the Italian for "trophy" and serves as an all-day lounge with stunning views of Mount Fuji. Bar 4563 is named after the length of the Fuji Speedway track, has a striking communal table in the shape of a Formula One car as its centerpiece and scale models of dozens of racing cars on its walls. The bar also has a private den with a capacity of just 13.
The Omika Wellness & Spa has his-and-hers onsen that tap into naturally heated water from 1,500 meters below the hotel, while the spa has six treatment rooms, including two couples' rooms with views up to Mount Fuji.
The 20-meter indoor pool has vehicle-inspired art installations and a jet bath, while the gym is equipped with the very latest cardio equipment as well as a professional-level driving simulator that gives a driver the choice of 300 cars to try out on Fuji Speedway.
Immediately inside the main entrance to the Fuji Motorsports Museum, a unique repository of some of the world's earliest racing vehicles, dating from the late 19th century to the latest state-of-the-art machines. A stately Bentley in British racing green, a bare metal Porsche, a tiny Datsun that amazingly completed the 17,000 km Around Australia rally in 1958 and sleek vehicles that have competed at Le Mans.
Creature Comforts and Impressive Surroundings
The hotel has just 120 rooms, from the generous 43-square-meter standard room all the way up to six stylish 91-square-meter suites, all of which either offer unobstructed views of the final bend into the home straight of the neighboring race track or the equally impressive profile of Mount Fuji.
The hotel also features five villas that sprawl over 143 square meters, have a capacity of four adults and two children, and enjoy individual terraces for anyone traveling with dogs. Each villa also has a show garage, where the owner is only a window away from a cherished vehicle.
A Dog-Friendly Stay with Breakfast at Fuji Speedway Hotel
Inevitably, the opportunity to complete some laps on the neighboring track is a big draw for many guests, while the hotel can also arrange private guided hikes to the summit of Mount Fuji as well as nearby Mount Hoei and an early-morning walk to the top of Mount Futagoyama. The hotel also offers horse trekking and yoga classes on its roof, overlooked by Japan’s most iconic mountain.
Nearby attractions include the spectacular Shiraito no Taki Waterfalls and the historic village of Oshino Hakkai, built around eight pretty pools that are fed by snowmelt from the flanks of Mount Fuji.
Not far away are the Fuji Five Lakes, the forbidding Aokigahara Forest and a series of lava caves carved by volcanic eruptions that released streams of white-hot lava from Mount Fuji but can now be explored on foot.
The Fuji Speedway Hotel
Number of rooms: 120
Closest airport: Tokyo’s Haneda Airport: 109km or about 90 minutes by car.
Contact details: +81 550 20 1234
Website: https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/japan/fuji-speedway-hotel/fswub
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