Ostello Bello

Spread over five floors, Ostello Bello is a value hostel with colorful and youthful decor that recalls a smartly decorated college dorm with a bit more style. This is one of Milan's most well-liked hostels, and there's an unusually high number of freebies on offer. The common area has couches and chairs upholstered in brightly colored velvety fabric and long wooden tables with stools. Guitars line walls that are artfully papered in torn newsprint, and cartoonish black-and-white drawings line the stairwells and hallways. There are also nicely landscaped terraces on different floors with tables, chairs, hammocks, and barbecues. The overall vibe is communal -- as it is at any good hostel -- and can be lively in the evenings. This is a good pick for travelers seeking good value that are accustomed to the typical hostel environment -- with that in mind, it's not surprising that most guests are younger travelers.

This hostel sits off an alleyway that links up with central Via Torino, which is lined with bars, restaurants, and shops. It’s extremely central and a 10-minute walk to both the Duomo and the Navigli District, a historic, canal-filled neighborhood with a variety of restaurants and bars, and much of Milan’s nightlife. Expect a 15-minute walk to the Galleria Vittorio Emmanuelle II, one of the city's most historic (and photogenic) shopping malls. However, many of Milan's legendary designer boutiques are located in the Quadrilatero d'Oro, which will take 20 minutes to reach on foot, or 15 minutes by cab. DaVinci's "The Last Supper" can be seen at Santa Maria delle Grazie, located a 15-minute walk west of the hostel. The closest tram station is on Via Cesare Correnti, a minutes' walk around the corner, and the closest metro is at Cordusio, a 10-minute walk away. It’s a 15-minute walk to the Milano Nord Cadorna train station, though Milan Centrale is across town, a 15-minute cab ride from the hostel. Expect a 50-minute drive -- or an hour via public transportation -- to Malpensa Airport. 

This hostel has seven private double rooms as well as mixed dormitories with four, six, and eight beds plus an eight-bed female-only dormitory; both the private rooms and the dormitories include en-suite bathrooms. The dormitories have colorful bunk beds with metal frames equipped with lamps, electrical outlets, and USB plugs. The rooms are clean and decorated in bright primary colors. We especially liked the sweet extras in the Double Room when we visited, including a bottle of sparkling wine and holiday-appropriate welcome -- it's details like this that set this place apart from the charmless noise factories that many youth-oriented hotels tend to become. Lockers, towels, and hairdryers are all included. Pets are allowed in the private rooms. Bathrooms are basic, with simple shower stalls. They're sparkling clean and bright, though there's limited space around the sinks. Wi-Fi is free throughout. 

While the generally cheerful decor and attention to detail all help set this hostel apart from its competition, there's an astonishing number of freebies on offer that add even more value to a stay here. Guests receive a welcome drink on arrival and there is a nightly happy hour, or traditional Italian aperitivo, at the on-site bar that includes a free dinner. A buffet breakfast -- with cereals, fruit, eggs, yogurt, bread, and jams -- is available throughout the morning as well. Guests can also access a kitchen that's stocked with free food, such as pasta dishes and cooking supplies, as well as coffee and tea. The kitchen also includes an electric kettle, microwave, and stovetop. A common area has a flat-screen TV, video-game systems, foosball table, board games, and instruments, including a piano and guitars, and there’s a large lending library. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. The front desk is staffed around the clock and speaks multiple languages. The hostel arranges free tours and activities throughout the week, including live music and trips to flea markets.