Nara Deer Hostel

I got the family room which included 3 beds and a private bathroom. The room was huge and there were free toothbrushes and tissues available if you needed. The location was also right next to the big temples, asuka palace, and the shopping street. The staff when there was super helpful when needed and the common room was peaceful. The towels smelled fine to me if you were curious. They also let you store luggage for check in and check out for a few hours so that was kind of them.

The bathroom was tiny it fit the bath, toilet, sink, and one more person. The bathroom was also not that clean. It was clean enough but not up to hotel standards as there was mold/black spots that can be spotted if you look closely. The AC was also not that strong so during my stay the humidity and heat would turn the room into an 80 F sauna in the afternoon. Once it was midnight it would drop to a comfortable 70 F. I personally don't like the bed and blankets as well. The bed being made of springs and a thin padding on top made it have very little cushioning and the blanket had no zipper so the cover would just fall off. There is a laundry washer for 200 yen but there is no dryer. This can be solved since there was a dryer place next door but it seems they close at night which means you have to get it done in the morning or early afternoon. Also no mini fridge which meant you had to go to the common room fridge on the first floor to store beverages and hope no one takes it.

I had a private room with a bathroom, so the experience was very nice.

Staff wasn’t easily accessible, and checking out was confusing. However, the actual stay itself was splendid.

Kitchen facilities

Guest reception could be better. Bed sheet, pillow case and towels need better cleaning.

Close to JR Nara station and is a modern building.

(1) The immediate environs are a little nondescript. (2) The air inside hangs a little heavy (i.e., greater could be better ventilated -- which is just a matter of opening windows, etc.). (3) Towel, though laundered, was not fresh (it was musty). (4) If you're not keen on the visuals of people just lounging around immersed in phones, that might put you off. (5) Hard to know who, if anyone, was staff. (Note: It seems that the general idea is that "the operation runs itself", which is absolutely fine/welcome in principle. No need for even minimal interaction, one might say.) (6) Guests' shoes are generally, strewn anyhow in the entrance area -- although, needless to say, that's not the fault of the facility. (7) The devil's in the detail: The easily-cleanable drainage point in the bathroom failed the "Has it been cleaned?" test. All they need to do is lift the little cover, and they will see (and can easily clean) the grime. It could not be simpler. The plastic floor or the "unit bathroom" could also do with a little more attention (e.g., bleaching the ingrained discoloration).