AKANE HOSTEL — Hotel in Yuzawa

Location (3/5): The proximity of the hostel to the ski resort, just a 7-minute walk, is appreciated. However, it's worth noting that a nearby hostel offers a more convenient shuttle service, which may be preferable for some guests.

Service (1/5): A negative interaction with the owner, particularly during negotiations for cancellation of an overpriced transportation service, left a poor impression. The owner's attitude, specifically Akane, was unhelpful and inflexible.

Price (2/5): While the hostel's pricing during the busy season was deemed fair, the additional transportation service was significantly overpriced, approximately 50% above the market rate. Coupled with the owner's inflexible cancellation policy, this aspect of the experience was disappointing.

Food (2/5): The breakfast provided was lacking in quantity and variety, consisting of only 1 cup of congee, 1 egg, and 1 baozi (steamed bun). There were no options for additional purchases, leading to dissatisfaction with the food offering.

Cleanliness (2/5): The cleanliness of the hostel was rated as below average, as evidenced by the provided photos.

Overall, I hope this feedback serves as constructive criticism for the owner. As international travelers, we have come to appreciate Japan's hospitality, good food, and attention to detail. Unfortunately, these aspects were not reflected in our experience at this...

Food Quality: The food provided was below average.

Hospitality: We found the level of hospitality disappointing. Exceptional service is a cornerstone of the hospitality industry, yet it seemed to be lacking throughout our stay.

Cleanliness: The cleanliness across the premises fell short of what we anticipated. A greater attention to maintaining both the guest rooms, common areas and toilet are essential for ensuring a comfortable stay.

Shuttle Service and Hot Spring Access: Although the location is good, the absence of a shuttle service during the day and the limited hours for the hot spring (only open from 5 PM to 10 PM) were significant inconveniences. Especially for guests arriving via the shuttle service from Tokyo, as provided by the host, this scheduling means the earliest opportunity for a shower or to use the hot spring is not until 5 PM the next day. This limitation considerably impacted our overall experience and convenience...

I really felt like I was treated more like a student in a monastery than a paying customer. The owner seemed to let emotions dictate their actions.

It would have been nice to get a tour or at least an orientation upon arrival instead of having to ask for it.

Surprise! The shower is only open from 5 pm to 10 pm, but I only found out when I got there. A heads-up during booking would've been nice.

Breakfast options were a letdown—small portions and the same thing every day. Offering to buy an extra meal would've been appreciated.

Only 2 bathrooms for each gender in a place with over 20 people? Not ideal.

To top it off, the owner had a heated argument in front of guests, shattering my image of Japanese politeness. Definitely not the experience I was hoping for. Even thought, the location is great, but more options can be found in that area. Not...