R Star Hostel Kyoto Japan

Very good stay overall.

Everything was extremely organized and even the forms felt quite private with the curtain. The staff clearly cleaned very well, constantly, and they do the dishes for the guests.

A great hostel at a very convenient location in Kyoto, appreciated the amenities including lockers for each traveller, would stay here again

Mixed Feelings About a Return Stay — Disappointed by Hospitality Standards We decided to book this accommodation again because of a previous one-night stay that was genuinely excellent. The bed was the most comfortable of our entire trip, and that positive memory made us return without hesitation. However, this second experience left us with a very different impression. The Good: The staff made some effort to communicate using Google Translate, which we appreciated. The Disappointing: The room we initially wanted was shown as unavailable during the entire planning period — despite checking several times. Yet upon arrival, it had 3 available rooms online, priced at HALF of what we had paid for, a different, less desirable room (capsule pods). We asked the staff if there was a way to switch rooms or find a middle ground, especially since the pricing difference was so stark. Despite understanding the booking clause (non-refundable), it was disappointing that there was no willingness whatsoever to offer any flexibility, refund, or adjustment — even though it was evident we were now paying DOUBLE the current rate. The staff’s response felt rigid and impersonal. Instead of hospitality, the encounter felt transactional. The staff member had to call someone to handle the situation, but still delivered a firm no — without offering other room alternatives (despite better and cheaper options being available, such as a private room with a private bathroom). What’s more troubling is