Guesthouse Azito

Exceptionally kind, polite and helpful staff who would go to the moon and back to help you and patiently answer all your queries. Convenient location near the station and the high street, comfortable, warm, and clean dorm/room. Fully equipped kitchen and the star attraction is the heater at the reception which should be declared a tourist attraction esp. during the cold winter. PS: On my way back at the Hakone Yumoto station, I was interviewed by a Japanese TV channel. They asked me about my trip to Japan and the experience in Hakone, I have given a shout out to your lovely staff and hostel. Now, if you become world famous, then I am coming back to collect my royalties. :p :)

Great thing about this hostel is that you get a "box". Basically a wooden constructed tiny room inside the actual bigger room of the building. This means that you can put all your stuff and luggage inside your box, and despite the fact you cannot stand upright in your box, you do enjoy the privacy and the wider/larger queen bed that is there. The bar also serves few great food items (including vegetarian noodles dish :-)) which is a huge plus when you get back at night and all the "other places" are closed or too far to get to..... Also a close 10-20 min walk from some of the best Onsen's I have visited during my time in Japan. Basic in nature, but awesome. I really enjoyed my time there and will return when I am next in Hakone.

I stayed in a full bed in a capsule room on a mixed-gender floor, for two nights. The guesthouse was easily accessible (10 to 15 minute walk to Hakone-Yumoto station). I appreciated that, when I checked in, the front desk gave me a little map of the area that had recommended onsens and restaurants. The capsule room was nice and spacious (compared to a lot of the twin bed capsule rooms in Japan), and even though there wasn't storage/locked space in there, the locker room was nearby and easily accessible. The room itself also had a lock from the inside, which helped with feeling more secure at night! Also, the guesthouse provides a discount to a nearby onsen (I didn't use it, but I went to another larger onsen nearby). It also has a bar and you can order food until around 9pm (a lot of nearby restaurants close early).

The staff answered my various questions and tried to find solutions to suit my demands considering our language barrier. The lockers to fit my various luggages were huge and adapted to backpack travelers. The facilities were clean and confortable to use. I found the room and the capsules structure unusual but it was efficient and lovely to stay in and the staff's recommendation to be quiet in the sleeping area made the stay more pleasant. Also, the kitchen and communal room made it easier to talk to other travelers and enjoy the night around a jenga game.

Beds/pod set up is really good. Very cozy, comfy and felt like a luxury (but without the price-tag) after staying in single bunks in other hostels. Double mattress was very comfortable and slept well. Also had good luggage storage that enables you to lock away full size suitcase + extras.