Hostel Cuore Kurashiki

Spent 2 nights and got 3 separate rooms in the main building and the Annex. What I liked: * Proximity to Bikan historical quarter. * Super-nice staff - the guy who checked us in was awesome...he graciously towed my heavy luggage up the stairs to my room (as there is no elevator). * On-premises restaurant that is open longer than the other restaurants in the area * Shower - great water pressure/hot water (seems to be true across Japan), nice toiletries in bathroom, high-tech toilet (another common occurrence across Japan). What I hated (the list is too long!) - I stayed in Annex room 501: * Cleanliness - it was the least sanitary place we stayed (one rooms had hair and stuff in the corner of the room), floor mat in one bathroom was stained, etc. * Lack of proper curtains - one room lacked curtains and couldn't open the room windows to air the musty smell, another room had skinny vinyl shades that was warped in places, etc. A lot of little things that showed neglect over the years. * Noisy - Annex room (which was supposedly an upgrade with nicer rooms) - had a room that overlooked a preschool/daycare - early morning wakeup call from the kids who were enjoying playtime outdoors in the playground directly in front of the Annex building. * Psychedelic Decor - funky decorated rooms. My room had *****es that were going in opposite directions with multi-colored walls that didn't match...not much different that the sitting room in the reception where someone threw a whole bunch of different paint of the wall for decoration. The wacky decor was plainly excessive and not calm and soothing for weary travelers who needed a place to rest. * Worn mattresses - mattresses were well worn and lumpy so I woke up with a back-ache daily. * Unable to use kitchen - paid extra for kitchen and washing machine. Kitchen is purely for show and to charge more as there is no ability to cook or use the kitchen as there are no utensil to eat or cook with, no sponge to wash dishes etc. Washing machine - detergent provided and everything in Japanese so bring out Microsoft/Google Translator to figure out how to use it! Again, one is not meant to use the washing machine as there is no dryer nor is there any place to dry clothes - only 2 hangers provided (there were not even any shower hooks to hang wet towels) on a flimsy corner bracket that barely stayed on the wall. Ended drying clothes by draping it off pot handles, luggage bag, washing machine, etc. * No hooks in room - something sorely lacking in the room and bathroom! * No chairs provided. Again, this is the least hospitable place that I stayed in Japan for all the reasons above. * Air-conditioning - worked but not cold. Certainly didn't cool to the lowest temperature setting set. Provided a sheet with a very heavy blanket so it was hot sleeping through the night, even with the air conditioning blowing directly on the beds. * Lack of attention to details - was only provided 1 bath towel and 1 pair of slippers for a

A very cool and enjoyable place with friendly staff right in the heart of old Kurashikishi.