Like previous reviewers, I'd had trouble getting affordable accommodation in Kyoto and stumbled upon this on the net. I booked a private room for 2 nights and was quite impressed with Hana hostel, and will definitely stay here again in the future.
The 'shared bathroom' was right across the hall from my small but clean & functional room - yes, towels cost extra to rent but it's literally small change, and you make your own futon.
The staff are pleasant, helpful & speak excellent English. There is a good kitchen (free tea & coffee) & common room, luggage storage and lots of other travellers to chat with, and the station is literally a few minutes walk away.
The excellent English guide & witty signage around the place make the experience more relaxed, and I really enjoyed my time in Kyoto thanks to Hana Hostel.

We booked the private room with bath, and it was a good size, albeit the room was just a box, with a view looking at the back of another building.
The staff were very friendly, but charged us for towel rental, which really should be provided when a private bath is booked. The location is good for the railway station, and it is a 30 min walk to the downtown restaurants,and Gion district.

After seeking a real ryokan experience, we struggled to find availability in a reasonable priced category. So, we booked with Hana. The people there were hugely helpful with good english. We asked lots of questions to avoid getting lost again and they were happy to be of service.

The room was ryokan style with tatami mats and futon beds, which was good fun. They were also very comfortable. We had to move into a ryokan on our 3rd night nearby as Hana did not have availability. This was twice the price and a very similar room! The bathrooms in both were almost identical - v small but functional and plastic. The rooms in both were also quite load due to thin walls. But, with eye-patch and earplugs, I slept brilliantly.

Location was also brilliant, being 5 mins from the main station for good bus routes, subway and trains. Would use again, for sure. Also, met some really nice guests there - very friendly atmosphere that we did not get at the ryokan or would do at a hotel