The Kitchen Hostel Ao

Naha 26.21364600, 127.67742800 , Kumoji 1-4-1 (Show on Map)
8.9
Excellent


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1 room2 guests 1 room, 2 guests
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Summary of reviewsThe Kitchen Hostel Ao in Naha, Okinawa, emerges as a highly recommended choice for travelers, particularly those seeking convenience, comfort and an enriching local experience. Its prime location near the airport, local train and bus stations and monorail stations such as Kencho-mae and Asahibashi, offers guests seamless connectivity to key city spots. Situated just steps from the bustling Kokusai-dori (International Street) and Naha Bus Terminal, it stands out as an ideal base for exploring the city.

The surrounding area is replete with amenities including restaurants, convenience stores and izakayas, ensuring easy access to essentials. The hostel's strategic positioning close to the Prefectural Office and the International Market adds to its allure, making it a favorite among solo travelers who want to maximize their experience in Naha. Guests frequently praise the location for its cleanliness, stylish environment and helpful staff, combining to create a restful yet vibrant atmosphere.

Breakfast at The Kitchen Hostel Ao is celebrated for its excellent value with prices ranging from 400 to 600 yen. Guests enjoy starting their day with affordable and tasty options like toast with honey or cheese and coffee, which are praised for their quality and flavor. The availability of breakfast at discounted rates for hostel guests and the convenience of having Café AO on the first floor further enhance the positive dining experience.

The hostel also excels in its dinner offerings, highlighted by a highly recommended ramen restaurant on the first floor, described as offering some of the best ramen in Japan. Guests appreciate the flavorful yet non-greasy broth and the communal dining areas downstairs provide a pleasant setting for meals. The rich array of dining options nearby, including pharmacies and convenience stores, along with the hostel's provision of fresh and tasty lunches, appeals greatly to food enthusiasts.

Rooms at the hostel are designed with guest comfort and convenience in mind. They feature plenty of power outlets, lockable storage and high ceilings that provide a spacious feel. Cleanliness is a consistent highlight with immaculate dormitories that include USB charging ports and night lights, contributing to a restful and private environment. Despite a few comments on room temperature and lighting issues, the attention to detail with amenities like large lockers and convenient laundry spots adds to their appeal.

Consistently praised for its exceptional cleanliness, The Kitchen Hostel Ao maintains a spotless environment across both private and communal areas. Regular cleaning and the provision of personal bath mats further emphasize the hostel's commitment to hygiene, contributing to its comfortable and modern aesthetic.

The staff's friendliness, helpfulness and ability to communicate effectively in English have left a positive impression on guests. The 24-hour front desk service ensures constant assistance, adding to the comfort and security of the stay. Staff members are noted for their attentiveness and cheerful demeanor, enhancing the overall hospitality.

While the free Wi-Fi offers decent performance for basic use, some guests have experienced slow and inconsistent connections, pointing to areas for improvement. Despite these occasional issues, the availability of free Wi-Fi remains a significant advantage.

The hostel's beds receive generally positive feedback for their spaciousness, cleanliness and amenities like USB ports and reading lights, although the firmness of the mattresses and thin pillows may not suit everyone.

In summation, The Kitchen Hostel Ao stands out as a well-maintained, affordable and adult-friendly option for solo travelers and backpackers in Naha. Its central location, excellent facilities and outstanding staff create a welcoming and convenient environment, ensuring a memorable stay for those exploring Okinawa.
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Categories
Cheap Hostel
This hostel provides a social atmosphere with a communal kitchen, allowing guests to save money on food. Its central location is convenient for exploring Naha.

Small Hostel
This hostel offers a cozy and intimate environment with a focus on community. Its well-designed common areas and kitchen create a welcoming atmosphere for guests looking for a charming and social stay.

Hostel for Adults Only

Room Types
Bunk Bed in Female Dormitory Room This bed in dormitory has a sofa, tumble dryer and electric kettle.

Bunk Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room This bed in dormitory has a electric kettle, air conditioning and dining area.

6-Bed Female Dormitory Room This room can only accomodate femal guests. This quadruple room has a electric kettle, air conditioning and tumble dryer.

Guest Reviews
8.9
Excellent
Location
The Kitchen Hostel Ao boasts a prime location in Naha, making it a top choice for travelers seeking convenience and accessibility. Situated near the airport, local train and bus stations, it provides seamless connectivity for guests. The hostel is just a short walk away from the monorail stations like Kencho-mae and Asahibashi, the bustling Kokusai-dori (International Street) and the Naha Bus Terminal, offering an excellent central base for exploring the city.

The surrounding area is rich with amenities, including multiple convenience stores, restaurants, department stores and izakayas, ensuring that guests have everything they need within easy reach. Many reviews highlight the quiet yet central location, allowing for restful stays while being steps away from the vibrant city life.

The location’s cleanliness and stylish environment also receive frequent praise, complemented by friendly and helpful staff. With its strategic positioning close to the Prefectural Office, the International Market and various transportation hubs, The Kitchen Hostel Ao stands out as a highly recommended and affordable option for solo travelers and those looking to maximize their Naha experience.

Breakfast
The breakfast offerings at The Kitchen Hostel Ao have garnered a lot of positive attention from guests. Many highlighted the excellent value for money with prices ranging from just 400 to 600 yen, making it a great option for budget travelers. Guests appreciated the affordability, often mentioning how nice it was to start the day with a cost-effective meal. The breakfast menu, typically featuring items like toast with butter, honey or cheese, salad with sesame dressing and various coffee options, received widespread praise for its taste and quality.

Specific mentions of delicious toast, flavorful eggs and yogurt additions and satisfying coffee suggest a simple yet delightful breakfast experience. Guests also appreciated the availability of breakfast at discounted rates for those staying at the hostel, enhancing its appeal.

Despite a few comments suggesting a desire for more variety, the overall impression is one of satisfaction with the combination of simplicity, affordability and flavor. The convenient location of Café AO on the first floor added to the positive experience, as guests could easily access their morning meal.

In summary, breakfast at The Kitchen Hostel Ao is well-reviewed for being cheap, delicious and convenient, making it a highly recommended option for guests.

Dinner
The Kitchen Hostel Ao offers a wide array of dining options that are sure to satisfy. The hostel features a delightful café downstairs, perfect for relaxing and enjoying a meal. On the first floor, guests can indulge in a delicious breakfast or dinner. This level also houses a highly recommended ramen restaurant, praised for its superior taste, often described as the best ramen in Japan. The ramen here is noted for its flavorful broth without the typical greasiness found in other Hakata-style variations.

Additionally, the surrounding area is brimming with numerous dining options, from restaurants to pharmacies and convenience stores, all within close proximity. The shared spaces downstairs provide a communal setting to enjoy meals, enhancing the overall dining experience at the hostel. Guests have particularly enjoyed the gentle lunches featuring fresh herbs and tasty oden, making The Kitchen Hostel Ao a fantastic choice for food enthusiasts.

Rooms
The rooms at The Kitchen Hostel Ao provide a comfortable and well-thought-out experience for guests. Each dormitory features abundant power outlets and lockable storage, ensuring safety and convenience. The dorm areas are described as clean, spacious and private despite the hostel being quite large. With high ceilings and well-ventilated spaces, guests do not feel cramped or claustrophobic. The women's dorm, in particular, is praised for its safety measures and ample room to bathe and prepare.

Amenities are plentiful, including USB charging ports, night lights and modern, stylish interiors. The beds, though firm, are generally comfortable and each bunk is equipped with its own curtain to provide privacy. The communal areas are consistently clean and well-maintained with good facilities including numerous sinks, toilets and individual shower rooms.

Despite being a busy hostel, the rooms are quiet at night, offering a restful environment. Guests appreciate the cleanliness and organization of the spaces with daily cleaning ensuring a pleasant stay. The hostel's central location and excellent facilities, such as large lockers, convenient laundry spots and stylish shared areas, add to its appeal. However, some guests noted issues with room temperature and lighting but overall praised the hostel for its well-designed and comfortable accommodations.

Beds
The beds at The Kitchen Hostel Ao receive mostly positive feedback from guests. Many praise the beds for being spacious, comfortable and clean with some noting they are particularly cozy and provide a good night's sleep. The bedding and mattresses often get compliments for being comfortable, although there are mentions that the mattresses are relatively firm, which may not suit everyone. Privacy is well-maintained with bed curtains and each bed is equipped with useful amenities like USB ports and reading lights.

However, the firmness of the beds can be a downside for some, as there are mentions of them being a bit hard. Similarly, pillows are described as thin and hard by some guests. Another common issue noted is the difficulty in accessing the upper bunk beds due to steep ladders and lack of handles, making it potentially dangerous and inconvenient. Additionally, some guests find the lighting to be too dim and the partitions between bed spaces thin, which can lead to noise disturbances.

Despite these minor drawbacks, the overall sentiment is that the beds offer a good level of comfort and privacy with most guests experiencing a restful sleep. The hostel's attention to cleanliness and the practical setup of the bed spaces contribute to a generally positive experience.

Cleanliness
The Kitchen Hostel Ao is notably praised for its exceptional cleanliness. Guests consistently highlight the immaculate conditions of both private and communal areas, including the bathrooms, shower rooms and washing facilities. The hostel exudes a sense of order and tidiness with regular cleaning that keeps spaces spotless and inviting.

Travelers appreciate the hostel’s modern and stylish design, which contributes to an overall comforting and pleasant atmosphere. The dormitories and beds are described as very clean and comfy with ample amenities that are both well-maintained and thoughtful. The public spaces, such as the relaxation areas and shared facilities, are equally praised for their cleanliness and usability.

Additionally, the hostel’s commitment to hygiene is evident with frequent mentions of the staff’s diligent efforts to maintain high standards. Even details like the provision of personal bath mats in changing areas and the absence of unpleasant odors speak volumes about the hostel’s cleanliness.

Overall, The Kitchen Hostel Ao stands out as one of the cleanest hostels, offering a clean, comfortable and convenient stay for travelers with a meticulous approach to hygiene and an appealing modern aesthetic.

Staff
The Kitchen Hostel Ao has garnered significant praise for its exceptional staff, making it a standout choice for travelers. Reviews consistently highlight the friendliness, kindness and helpful nature of the staff with many noting their ability to communicate effectively in English, ensuring a smooth experience for international guests.

Guests appreciate the 24-hour front desk service, which provides constant assistance and a sense of security. The staff's readiness to assist with luggage and other needs, even for those with limited mobility, adds to the comfort and convenience of the stay. Enthusiastic and polite interactions from staff members like Ms. Maiko at reception and Ms. Rumi during cleaning hours further enhance the positive atmosphere.

While a few reviews mention occasional lapses in enthusiasm and minor communication barriers, the overwhelming consensus is that the staff's attentiveness, cheerful demeanor and willingness to help make a lasting impression. The hostel's cleanliness, thanks to the diligent cleaning staff and the staff's prompt responses to requests, contribute to the overall excellent service.

In summary, The Kitchen Hostel Ao excels in staff hospitality, creating a welcoming and enjoyable environment for all guests.

Wi-Fi
The Kitchen Hostel Ao provides guests with Wi-Fi that has both positive aspects and areas for improvement. Many guests appreciate that the hostel offers free Wi-Fi with no extra charges, a convenience that's consistently available throughout the property. In several reviews, the Wi-Fi was described as stable and good with some guests finding the connection excellent, especially when the hostel wasn't very busy.

However, the quality and speed of the Wi-Fi varied with some guests experiencing slow and inconsistent connections. For a few, the internet speed was noticeably low, which affected their experience. Occasional interruptions and a weak signal in certain rooms were also mentioned, hinting at coverage issues within the hostel. Despite these scattered issues, the availability of free Wi-Fi remains a significant plus, especially given its general reliability and decent performance for basic use.

Adult Only
The Kitchen Hostel Ao in Naha stands out as a very nice, comfortable and clean capsule hostel ideal for solo travelers and backpackers. It's spacious, providing large lockers, plenty of toilets and sufficient shower rooms, making it convenient for international adult travelers. The accommodations have strict quiet rules in the dormitory areas, ensuring a peaceful stay, although the wooden walls might not be suitable for light sleepers. The hostel offers both female-only and mixed dormitory options, each with separate access, catering specifically to adults and ensuring a functional stay without the typical disruptions. This cost-effective, youth-oriented hostel is highly recommended for those seeking an adult-friendly, international travel experience in Okinawa.


No, The Kitchen Hostel Ao doesn't have any pool.

No, a spa isn't available at The Kitchen Hostel Ao.

No, The Kitchen Hostel Ao doesn't allow dogs.

No, parking facilities aren't available at The Kitchen Hostel Ao.

No, The Kitchen Hostel Ao doesn't have a gym.

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