Youkoso Hostel

There wasn’t even toilet paper, and no stove or microwave either. Calling it a hostel doesn’t prepare you for how bad it actually is. She asked me to help manage the hostel because of my experience, but wouldn’t take any of my suggestions, even though the guests agreed with me. I wasn’t paid; I just wanted to help. In her view, everything turns into a fight because she needs to feel above everyone else. She blamed me whenever something went wrong, despite my warnings and advice, then put me out on the street in the middle of Carnival during the rainy season, knowing I had nowhere else to go. It seemed like she just wanted to feel she’d won. I gave her my time and spent my own money, but she never acknowledged or appreciated it. I paid out of pocket for fake Google reviews, fixed the internet with my own equipment and wasn’t reimbursed. The equipment is still there. She also owes me for that, and for setting up all her booking sites and linking them to a central system so she could keep track of reservations instead of forgetting them. She can’t admit when she’s wrong and blames everyone else, even though I think she’s the one who’s incompetent. I said it was inhumane to throw me out with no warning after all I’d done, especially when other hostels would give a volunteer at least a week to find somewhere else. She called me a liar and said I was acting like a victim. Guests told me she does the same to them, taking advantage of people in a difficult spot by raising the price so they have to pay or work for her for free rather than sleep outside. Two days after I left, she sent a threatening message saying she had photos of my documents and would report me to the police because she thought I was still interfering with her reservations. I no longer have access to anything, but she still blames me for her mistakes. She’s pretending the fake reviews are genuine and even thanking them, although several are posted under her own name. To me, she’s completely out of touch with reality.

Akemi is a very attentive owner, and the place itself is magnificent and right in the centre. There are shops and bakeries nearby, plus a really nice cafe on the corner. Thank you, Akemi.

A hostel that’s very thoughtfully designed and well run.

She looks even more beautiful than last time.