Category: Hostel Of The Day

Hostel of the Day: YELLOWSQUARE MILAN – Hidden Hostel Gem in Milan’s Porta Romana District

After spending 4 full days in the beautiful city of Florence, my friend and I moved to another famous Italian city in the north – Milan. We stayed and explored the city for another 4 days and decided to stay with YellowSquare Milan.

This hostel is a sister of YellowSquare Florence – the hostel we stayed with in Florence. This hostel will be featured in today’s hostel of the day. Join me as I share with you details of this hidden hostel gem in Milan’s Porta Romana District.

YellowSquare Milan

YellowSquare Milan is a sister hostel of YellowSquare Florence; it is one of the 3 YellowSquare properties in Italy. According to the property’s website, the hostel started in 1999 when the founders decided to buy a small apartment and rent out a few beds. 20 years later, the hostel now has 3 high-rated branches in Rome, Milan (this property) and the latest addition to the chain, Florence.

This branch is in the quiet Porta Romana neighborhood in Milan. It has 2 buildings – 6 storey front building and a rear 2 storey building with an open area piazza in the between. Both buildings stand above a common basement level. The hostel caters to hundreds of guests at the same time.

Location & Access

YellowSquare Milan is located at Via Serviliano Lattuada, 14, 20135 Milan MI, Italy. It is located near the old city gate of Milan – Porta Romana. The hostel is a little over 2 kilometers away from the famous Duomo di Milano. It is 350 meters away from Porta Romana Station of Milan Metro Line 3 (Red Line) – 3 stops away from Duomo Station on the same line.

As mentioned above, the hostel is nestled in a quiet neighborhood. It is near to numerous restaurants, shops and supermarkets. It is 10 minutes away by subway (Line 3) to Flixbus’ San Donato pick-up and drop-off points, also 10 minutes away by subway (Line 3) to Milan Central Station, around 15 to 18 minutes by subway (Lines 2 and 3) to Porta Garibaldi Station and about 40 minutes by subway (Lines 1 and 3) to Milan Lampugnano Bus Terminal.

YellowSquare Milan’s Communal Spaces

The hostel is 1 hour and 10 to 15 minutes away by train (Line 3 and Malpensa Express) to Milan Malpensa International Airport (MXP) and about the same time by subway (Line 3) and bus to Orio al Serio International Airport (BGY) – also known as Milan Bergamo Airport.

Room Options

Like YellowSquare Florence, YellowSquare Milan also has dormitory rooms and private rooms.

The hostel’s dormitory room configurations are limited to as follows: 8-bed mixed dormitory room, 8-bed female dormitory room, 4-bed mixed dormitory room and 4-bed female dormitory room. All these dormitory rooms feature in-room shower and ensuite, air conditioning and heating systems, a table and chair (per room), lockers, daily housekeeping and free Wi-Fi connection. All dormitory beds have a pillow, blanket, individual lights and personal security locker. Towels are not included and are available for rent from reception.

The private rooms have the following configurations: single private room, double private room, quadruple private room with 2 bunk beds and sextuple private room with 3 bunk beds. These private rooms have the same features as that of the dormitory rooms except for towels which are already included in these rooms. Rates per nights of these rooms depend on where you are booking your stay. From experience, booking directly with YellowSquare provides the most affordable nightly rates.

My friend and I booked our stay directly with YellowSquare Milan and got 2 beds in a 4-bed mixed dormitory room. We paid €101.24 each for 4 nights. On top of this, we also paid €2 per person per night (rate back in November 2022) for the city tax. In total, we paid €109.24 each during check-in. We were charged by our bank ₱6,644.92 including foreign currency transaction conversion fee – roughly ₱1,661.23 per night. It is still not bad for an expensive city like Milan!

We were assigned the 2 lower bunk beds at Room A505 on the 5th floor of the main building. We got a smaller room compared to the room we got at the Florence property; we also got a room with a nice bathroom and toilet layout. We enjoyed the views of Milan from this upper room.

Guest Facilities & Amenities

YellowSquare Milan has a long list of facilities and amenities that hostel guests can enjoy.

Free Wi-Fi Access – All guests have an access to a stable and fast open Wi-Fi connection.

In-House Bar & Restaurant – The hostel has an in-house bar and restaurant called The Baretto. They serve breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks. Breakfast is available from 8:00am to 11:00am. Lunch is served from 12:00 noon to 2:00pm. Dinner options are available from 6:00pm to 11:00pm. The bar is open every day from 8:00am to 2:00am.

Free Beer Upon Check-In – Hostel guests get a beer voucher upon check-in. This free beer can be redeemed anytime during the guest’s stay.

Events Place – YellowSquare Milan has an in-house events place called Salone14. This events place hosts both internal and external events. It is also available for rent / outsider use. Please reach out to the hostel team to know more about the rates.

In-House Club – La Chapel, the hostel’s in-house club, is in the basement level of the hostel building.

Outdoor Courtyard – The hostel has an outdoor courtyard named The Piazzetta. This courtyard is found between the front and rear buildings. It is where some of the hostel activities are held.

Hair Salon – The hostel has a hair salon, named Contesta Rock Hair, in the basement level. Guests can come here for a haircut or a hair treatment at the guest’s expense.

Co-Working Space – Need to work while in Milan? No need to worry. YellowSquare Milan has a co-working space called SmartSquare Milan. A part of the co-working space, The Fixed Spot, is complimentary to hostel guests with prior request at reception. The other areas are open to the public subject to daily or monthly rates.

In-Room Shower & Toilet – Each hostel room (private or dormitory) has an in-room shower and toilet.

Communal Areas – The hostel has communal areas where guests can just sit down, chill and meet with other travelers / guests.

Shared Kitchen & Dining Area – Guests have access to a shared kitchen and dining area at the rear building. The kitchen has complete cooking materials which guests can use to cook food.

Daily Hostel Activities – Just like YellowSquare Florence, this Milan property also hosts daily activities for guests to join and enjoy. These activities can range from walking tours, cooking classes to karaoke sessions, art classes and comedy shows. Please look for the updated schedule near the reception.

Schedule of Hostel Activities back in November 2022

Games Room – The hostel has a dedicated games room where guests can play or have fun with other people. The games room is in the basement level.

Communal Toilets & Changing Rooms – The hostel has available communal toilets and changing rooms near the common areas. Guests do not need to go back to their respective rooms to just use the toilet.

Laundromat Service – Running out of clean clothes to wear? The hostel has a laundromat service which guests can avail for a fee.

Luggage Storage – The property offers luggage storage services for guests who arrived hours before check-in and for guests who are leaving the city in the afternoon or evening after check-out. Please reach out to reception if you want to leave your stuff before check-in or after check-out.

24-Hour Reception – Arriving past midnight or leaving before sunrise? No need to worry about getting in / out. Reception is manned every single time. It is open 24 hours a day for 7 days a week.

Multi-Lingual & Friendly Staff – YellowSquare Milan’s staff speak different languages. They are also friendly and hospitable.

Secured Room Access – Rooms can only be accessed using the key cards provided during check-in.

Lift Access – Travelling with a big luggage? No need to carry it up using the stairs. The hostel has a lift which can be used by all guests. Please note that the lift only works with a hostel key card.

Secured Hostel Premises – The hostel premises are equipped with 24/7 surveillance system. Also, entry to the room areas require an access / key card. It cannot not open to visitors and outsiders.

Hostel Experience

Our stay at YellowSquare Milan was almost the same as our stay at YellowSquare Florence. We may be out most of the day but we managed to stay longer in the hostel this time.

We liked the following about the hostel. First, YellowSquare Milan had the best rates for an expensive city like Milan. On top of these value rates, the hostel also offered a flexible cancellation policy where guests can cancel for free up to 24 hours before the intended stay. Second, the hostel was in a quiet Porta Romana neighborhood away from the busy streets of the city.

Third, the free beer coupon was an added perk. The hostel did not just provide a small beer glass but a big one. Fourth, the hostel had a long list of activities which guests can join. We did not have the time to join these activities but we hope we can in our next stay. Fifth, the YellowSquare Milan staff were nice, friendly and hospitable. They were more welcoming than those from the Florence property. Lastly, we noticed the consistency in the service and product provided by the YellowSquare hostel brand.

The hostel also had some drawbacks. First, I mentioned above that I liked the hostel being in a quiet neighborhood. At the same time, this quiet neighborhood meant that the hostel is located a bit far from the city center. Guests need to take the metro or tram to go and visit the Duomo area.

Second, we got a smaller 4-bed mixed dormitory room in Milan compared to the room we had in Florence. We think the room size was alright but we also cannot help but compare. Third and lastly, we hope the hostel can expand the free drink coupon options to include water, juices and sodas to cater to those who do not drink beer. My friend gave up her free beer and gave it to me simply because she does not drink beer.

These drawbacks did not really affect our stay at YellowSquare Milan. My friend and I enjoyed our time at the hostel. We will surely book our stay again with them in our next trip to Milan.

YellowSquare Milan’s Outdoor Courtyard – The Piazzetta

Do you have questions about YellowSquare Milan? If yes, you may reach out to them on the following platforms:

YellowSquare Milan
Address: Via Serviliano Lattuada,1420135 Milano MI, Italy
Phone Number: +39 028 239 6603
E-mail address: questions@yellowsquare.it / lattuada@bc-hospitality.com
Website: www.yellowsquare.it
Facebook: www.facebook.com/yellowsquaremilan
Instagram: www.instagram.com/yellowsquarehostel

Have you stayed with YellowSquare Milan in the past? Care to share your hostel experience in the comments section below? Do you have any questions about the hostel or my experience? Feel free comment down below. You may also send these questions via e-mail to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

Thanks for joining me in today’s Hostel of the Day feature. Please also take time to check out my previous HOTD features by clicking this. You’ll find my other hostel reviews about Le Village Montmartre in Paris, The Bed KLCC in Kuala Lumpur, The RomeHello in Rome & Z Hostel here in the Philippines.

Before you go, can you visit my social media pages –Facebook & Instagram – and like or follow them? Thank you & see you in the next one!

PS. Photos were taken using my OnePlus 9 Pro.

Hostel of the Day: YELLOWSQUARE FLORENCE – Lively & Social Hostel Outside (But Near) Florence City Center

After spending 5 nights in Rome, my friend and I left the city and took a 3-hour bus ride to the beautiful and historic city of Florence in the famous Tuscany Region. We spent 4 nights in the city and stayed with YellowSquare Florence. This lively and social hostel will be today’s hostel of the day feature. Read on below to know more details about the property and check out if you would consider staying in for your next Florence trip.

YellowSquare Florence

YellowSquare Florence is 1 of 3 YellowSquare Hostels in Italy. According to the hostel’s website, the YellowSquare brand started out in 1999 when the founders decided to buy a small apartment and rent out a few beds. 20 years later, they now have 3 branches in Italy – Rome, Florence and Milan.

YellowSquare Florence has 2 buildings – a 6-storey main building which houses reception, common areas, bar, swimming pool and dormitory rooms and a single storey building at rear where the private rooms are mostly located. The hostel has over 200 beds in both dormitory and private rooms. This hostel branch opened its doors to guests last year.

Location & Access

YellowSquare Florence is located at Viale Francesco Redi, 19, 50144 Firenze FI, Italy. It is 1.5 to 2 kilometers away from Florence city center. It is near Redi tram stop on the Tram Line 2 – Vespucci (4th tram stop from Unità, 3rd tram stop from Alamanni-Stazione (Santa Maria Novella Train Station) and 8th stop from Aeroporto di Firenze-Peretola (Florence Airport)). The hostel is 3 to 5 minutes away by foot (220 meters) from the Redi tram stop. Alternatively, the city center is 20 to 30 minutes away by foot from the hostel.

The hostel is in a relatively quiet neighborhood. There are supermarkets, shops and restaurants nearby but are at the rear part, not along the main road. The nearest airport, Aeroporto di Firenze-Peretola (Florence Airport), is a tram ride away from Redi tram stop. Flixbus’ pick-up and drop off station in Villa Constanza is 30 minutes away by tram with a change to Tram Line 1 – Leonardo at Alamanni-Stazione tram stop.

Room Options

YellowSquare Florence has rooms for all types of travelers. The property has both dormitory rooms and private rooms with different types of configurations.

The hostel’s dormitory room configurations are as follows: 8-bed mixed dormitory room, 8-bed female dormitory room, 6-bed mixed dormitory room, 6-bed female dormitory room, 4-bed mixed dormitory room and 4-bed female dormitory room. All these dormitory rooms feature in-room shower and ensuite, air conditioning and heating systems, a table and chair (per room), lockers, daily housekeeping and free Wi-Fi connection. All dormitory beds have a pillow, blanket, individual lights and personal security locker. Towels are not included and are available for rent from reception.

The private rooms have the following configurations: double or twin private room, triple private room (1 full bed and 1 bunk bed), quadruple private room (2 bunk beds) and sextuple private room with 3 bunk beds. These private rooms have the same features as that of the dormitory rooms except for towels which are already included in these rooms.

My friend and I booked our stay directly with YellowSquare Florence and paid €83.60 for 4 nights in a 4-bed mixed dormitory room. On top of this, hostel visitors were asked to pay €3 city tax per person per night. This city tax has been increased to €3.50 per person per night as of 1 April 2023. Including the city tax, we paid €95.60 each. We were charged by our bank ₱5,791.09 including foreign currency transaction conversion fee – roughly ₱1,447.77 per night. It is still not bad!

We were assigned an upper and lower bunk beds at Room 304 facing the main road. The room had just the right amount of space for 4 people. The toilet and shower were clean throughout our stay.

Guest Facilities & Amenities

Like any other hostel, YellowSquare Florence also has a long list of facilities and amenities to enjoy.

Free Wi-Fi Access – All guests have access to a free and fast Wi-Fi connection available throughout the property.

In-House Bar & Restaurant – YellowSquare has an in-house bar and restaurant in the ground floor called Barmezzo. It serves breakfast from 7:30am to 11:30am, lunch from 12:30pm to 2:30pm and aperitivo and dinner from 6:30pm to 11:30pm. They have a long list of food and drinks to choose from.

Basement Bar & Club – The hostel has an in-house bar and club named Bargiù Club. Weekend parties and (sometimes) events are held in this place.

Rooftop Swimming Pool – YellowSquare Florence has a rooftop swimming pool which guests can enjoy during late spring and summer.

Rooftop Deck – It also has a small lounge area in the rooftop beside the swimming pool. This deck offers a beautiful view of Florence city center.

Rooftop Bar – The hostel operates a rooftop beside the swimming pool. This bar, named Barsù, is usually open during summer and warm seasons.

In-Room Shower & Toilet – All private and dormitory rooms have showers and toilets.

Lounge Areas – The property has a communal lounge area by the reception. The tables and chairs are comfortable to sit in.

Kitchen & Dining Area – Guests who want to cook their own food can do so in the communal kitchen and dining area at Floor 0.

Orthus Garden & Terraza Zen – YellowSquare has a relaxing garden and terrace where guests can chill during their stay.

Boardgames – The hostel has boardgames which guests can borrow and play with in the lounge area.

Meeting Room – Guests who need to conduct private meetings can use the meeting room in Floor 0. Reach out to reception to know how use this room.

Music Studio – The hostel also has a music studio for those who need to use it.

Daily Hostel Activities – YellowSquare Florence hosts daily activities which guests can join and enjoy. They have walking tours, cooking classes, art activities, movie, karaoke and comedy nights. Check out the more updated schedule near reception or in the noticeboards inside the elevators.

Common Toilets & Changing Rooms – The property has common toilets and changing rooms which guests can use during their stay.

Luggage Storage – Guests who arrive before the check-in hours and guests who need to leave their bags after check-out can have their stuff stored at the luggage room at no extra cost. Please approach reception if you want to use the luggage room before check-in or after check-out.

24-Hour Reception – YellowSquare’s reception is open 24 hours every day. There will always be someone who will entertain your questions or address your concerns. Check-in starts at 3:00pm and check-out is allowed until 10:00am only.

Multi-Lingual & Friendly Staff – The hostel staff speak many languages – Italian, English and a few more. Guests who do not speak Italian or English can still communicate with and can ask questions to the staff at any time.

Secured Room Access – Rooms can only be opened by the access card assigned to each guest. This access card only works on the guest’s assigned room.

Lift Access – Guests travelling with large suitcases need not to worry about bringing their luggage up to the rooms and down. The hostel has a lift open to all guests.

Secured Hostel Premises – The hostel is a safe place to stay. It is equipped with security surveillance systems that work every day of the week. It has security cameras almost everywhere.

Hostel Experience

I had a nice stay with YellowSquare Florence. My friend and I were mostly there to just rest and sleep but we still had a great time.

We liked the following during our stay. First, YellowSquare had the best and most affordable rates per night when we booked directly with them. The direct booking included a flexible cancellation term where guests can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before the intended stay. Second, YellowSquare Florence’ colors and layout are aesthetic and very pleasing to the eyes. The walls, the rooms and even the common areas all had vibrant colors and interiors.

Third, the hostel’s rooftop terrace is nice and relaxing. It has a beautiful view of the Florence city center especially at night. Lastly, the hostel’s vibe is superb; the atmosphere is lively and social. All the staff and even guests are friendly and hospitable. It is easy to gain new friends once you stay in the hostel’s common areas.

Our experience was not perfect. The check-in staff forgot to give us the yellow armband which was later asked from us when we checked-in at the Milan property. Second, the shower area in Room 304 was a bit small but it was still alright. We believe it was mostly due to the building’s layout.

This sums up our stay with YellowSquare Florence. Will I go back and stay with them again in the future? I say yes! I look forward to going back and joining all the hostel’s activities and events.

Do you have questions about YellowSquare Florence? If yes, you may reach out to them on the following platforms:

YellowSquare Florence
Address: Viale Francesco Redi, 19, 50144 Firenze FI, Italy
Phone Number: +39 055 031 7718
E-mail address: questions@yellowsquare.it
Website: www.yellowsquare.it
Facebook: www.facebook.com/yellowsquareflorence
Instagram: www.instagram.com/yellowsquarehostel

Have you stayed with YellowSquare Florence in the past? Care to share your hostel experience in the comments section below? Do you have any questions about the hostel or my experience? Feel free comment down below. You may also send these questions via e-mail to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

Thanks for joining me in today’s Hostel of the Day feature. Please also take time to check out my previous HOTD features by clicking this. You’ll find my other hostel reviews about Le Village Montmartre in Paris, The Bed KLCC in Kuala Lumpur, The RomeHello in Rome & Z Hostel here in the Philippines. Before you go, can you visit my social media pages –Facebook & Instagram – and like or follow them? Thank you & see you in the next one!

PS. Photos were taken using my OnePlus 9 Pro.

Hostel of the Day: THE ROMEHELLO – Affordable, Hospitable & High-Rated Accommodation That Felt Like Home

After few months ago, my friends and I flew to Europe for a 3.5-week vacation. We visited 3 countries – France, Italy and Spain. Accommodation in Europe is expensive compared to here in Asia so we decided to stay in hostels throughout the trip. We explored Rome for 6 days and 5 nights and stayed with The RomeHello. Join me in today’s hostel of the day feature as I show you this affordable, hospitable and high-rated hostel in the heart of Rome, Italy.

The Romehello

The RomeHello is an affordable and high-rated hostel found in the center of Rome in Italy. The large hostel is located within a 6-storey building a few minutes away from Roma Termini. It has spacious communal areas in the ground floor and private and dormitory rooms found from the ground floor up to 5th floor.

As of writing, the hostel has ratings ranging from 9.3 to 9.6 from over 17,000 reviews in Agoda, Booking.com, Hostelworld and Expedia. The hostel staff and management deserve all the praises and good reviews they received from these sites. Let us know more about the hostel, its facilities and amenities below in the write up below.

Location & Access

The RomeHello is located at Via Torino 45 in Rome, Italy. It is 150 meters by foot from Repubblica-Teatro dell’Opera Station in the Metro Line A. It is 750 meters away or 7-10 minutes by foot from Roma Termini Station.

The hostel has a central location and is near famous Roman landmarks. It is 10 minutes away by foot to the Trevi Fountain, 15 minutes by foot to The Spanish Steps, Colosseum and Piazza Venezia and 20 to 25 minute-walk to the Pantheon and Piazza Navona. It is also near cafés, restaurants, shops and even supermarkets.

Rome–Fiumicino International Airport (FCO) is 30 kilometers away and can be reached either by bus, taxi or the 35-minute Leonardo Express from Roma Termini. Rome’s other airport, Rome–Ciampino International Airport (CIA), is 15 kilometers away and can be reached either by taxi or shuttle buses from Roma Termini.

Room Options

The RomeHello is a hostel for all; it has both private and dormitory rooms. Guests who want privacy throughout their visit can stay in the private rooms while those traveling on a tight budget can choose to stay in the dormitory rooms.

The hostel’s private room configurations are as follows: double room, quadruple room, twin room, twin bunk bed room and triple room. All these private rooms feature ensuite bathrooms, mini fridge with water bottles, televisions, towels and toiletries, small tables and chairs, USB sockets in the bedside tables and cabinets.

The dormitory rooms are arranged in the following configurations: 3-bed mixed dormitory room, 4-bed mixed dormitory room, 8-bed mixed dormitory room, 10-bed mixed dormitory room and 3-bed female-only dormitory room. All dormitory beds feature bed covers, duvet, pillows, individual lamps, electrical and USB sockets, lockers under the beds and personal shelves. All dormitory rooms have in-room showers and toilets. Towels and toiletries are not included in these shared rooms.

My friend and I booked our stay with Agoda and got a bed in a 4-bed mixed dormitory room. We paid €89.26 each for 5 nights – €17.85 per night. My bank charged me ₱5,468.12 (including 1.85% foreign currency conversion fee) for this 5-night stay – roughly ₱1,094 per night.

We were assigned 1 single bed each in one of the ground floor 4-bed mixed dormitory rooms. The room had a bunk bed and 2 single beds. The room was spacious, clean and near the communal lounge and laundry room.

Guest Facilities & Amenities

The RomeHello has one of the longest lists of guest facilities and amenities in all my hostel of the day features. Check out the long list below:

Free Wi-Fi Access – All hostel guests have access to a free wi-fi connection available throughout the property.

Free Drink Coupon Upon Check-In – The hostel gives their guests a free drink coupon upon check-in. This coupon can be redeemed at The Barrel Bar & Grill by Tyler anytime during the stay.

Buffet Breakfast at The Barrel Bar & Grill by Tyler – Hostel guests can avail of a buffet breakfast at The Barrel Bar & Grill by Tyler from 8:00am to 10:30am for only €7 per person. Guests enjoy a selection of eggs, bacon, sausages, fresh fruits, cold cuts, cheese and cereals. They also enjoy a variety of drinks – coffee, tea, fruit juices and water – included in the buffet rate.

In-House Bar & Restaurant – The Barrel Bar & Grill by Tyler is the hostel’s in-house bar and restaurant. It is open from lunch until late night to cater to both guests and non-guests. Hostel guests get 10% off when they dine at The Barrel by showing their hostel access card.

In-Room Shower & Toilet – Dormitory and private rooms at The RomeHello feature in-room shower and toilet facilities. The showers are equipped with heating systems.

Air Conditioning & Heating Systems – All rooms are have air conditioning and heating systems which can be used depending on season.

Communal Lounge Area – The hostel has a spacious communal lounge area where guests can spend their idle time watching the television or talking to co-travelers. It is also the perfect place to meet and make friends with the other guests.

Shared Kitchen & Dining Area – The RomeHello has a shared kitchen for those who want to cook their own meals during their stay. They also have a dining area where people can have their meals.

Communal Shower & Toilet – The hostel has a communal shower and toilet that is open to all guests. Even guests who already checked out can still take a shower before they leave for their next destination.

Spacious Inner Courtyard – The property has a spacious inner courtyard where events are held. It is also a place where people can relax for some fresh air.

Games Area – The hostel has a ping pong table in the inner courtyard and a table football in the lounge area which guests can play with. They also have boardgames which can be borrowed and played with other people.

Snack & Drink Vending Machines – Fancy a snack or drink? You can get some in the vending machines located inside the shared kitchen or near the lockers.

Daily Hostel Activities – The hostel hosts daily activities which guests can join. It ranges from movie nights, community dinners to game nights, karaoke nights and drinking games. Do not forget to check-out the weekly activity calendar near the elevator during your stay.

Hostel Tours & Experiences – Aside from the daily activities, the hostel also hosts tours and experiences which guests can enjoy. Pasta and pizza cooking classes are held every Monday and Tuesday for €8 per person per class. They also conduct tip-based walking tours on specific days of the week. Make sure to check with reception if you are keen on joining these activities.

Luggage Storage – Guests who arrive before the check-in hours and guests who need to leave their bags after check-out can have their stuff stored at the luggage room at no extra cost. Please approach reception if you want to use the luggage room before check-in or after check-out.

Locker Rentals – Guests who cannot leave their valuables in the luggage room can rent the lockers in the communal lounge area for safe storage.

Luggage Weighing Scale – The hostel has a luggage weighing scale which guests can use for only €1.

Self-service Coin Laundry – The RomeHello has a self-service coin laundry at the ground floor. The laundry service is easy to use. These machines are mostly used during night time and are best used in the morning.

Hair Dryer & Ironing Facilities – All rooms are equipped with hair dryers. Guests who need to iron clothes can use the ironing facilities found inside the laundry room.

Computer Access – There are 2 computers in the communal lounge area which guests can use to plan their itineraries, book their next flights and accommodations.

Printing Access – Guests who need to print documents can have them printed by reception. Please reach out to them for the updated printing rates.

24-Hour Reception – The RomeHello’s reception is open 24 hours every day of the week. Check-in starts at 2:00pm while check-out is until 11:00am.

Multi-Lingual Staff – The hostel’s staff speak many languages – Italian, English, Filipino and a few more. Guests who do not speak Italian or English can still communicate with and ask questions to the staff at any time.

Daily Housekeeping – The hostel housekeeping checks and cleans the rooms and toilets daily. They make sure that the hostel facilities and rooms are kept clean and tidy.

Secured Room Access – The rooms can be accessed using a randomly-generated lock code that is assigned individually per guest.

Secured Hostel Premises – The hostel is equipped with 24/7 video surveillance system that makes sure that no outsiders go inside the guest-only premises. Also, all guests need to go past reception when they want to enter the hostel.

Lift Access – Guests who have large luggage do not need to worry about bringing them up to the higher floors. They can use the lift to go up to and down from their rooms.

Hostel Experience

I had an awesome stay at The RomeHello. I enjoyed every bit from check-in to check-out; I could have extended if my itinerary allowed me to do so.

The hostel ticked all the boxes for me but has specifically excelled in the following. First, their rates were affordable. The hostel provided more than what guests pay for per night. They had one of the best value rates within the city. Second, the hostel’s location was perfect for my itinerary. It was near Repubblica Station of Metro Line A; it was also near Roma Termini. The popular Rome spots were all 10-25 minutes away by foot. The hostel was also located in a small quiet laneway, excluded from all the city noise.

Third, the €7 breakfast buffet at The Barrel was exceptional. The buffet had a good spread of eggs, bread, cold cuts, sausages, bacon, cheese, fresh fruits and drinks. Fourth, the property had a long list of activities, tours and experiences that enhanced the guest’s hostel experience. I joined the pasta cooking class for €8; I knew how to cook the ‘real’ carbonara at the same time also met people from all over the world.

Fifth, the hostel managed to keep its cleanliness throughout the day despite all the activities and guests coming in and out every day. Lastly, The RomeHello’s staff were the friendliest and most hospitable ones I have dealt with during this trip. I met a few Filipino hostel staff and was instantly treated like their close friends. At some point, it felt home. The stay felt like I am in the Philippines because of them. Shoutout to the ate’s and kuya’s of The RomeHello – thank you for making my stay a memorable one!

On the other side of the line, I cannot think of anything which the hostel can or needs to improve on. If there is one thing I can comment on, it is the long list of activities they have. I did not have enough time to join all of them during my stay. I need to go back to The RomeHello to just join all the activities.

Will I recommend The RomeHello? YES! It is an easy 15 over 10 for me. In my opinion, The RomeHello is an epitome of a perfect hostel. The hostel has affordable rates, clean rooms and communal areas, friendly and hospitable staff, a central location, fun activities, tours and experiences to join and a traveler-friendly atmosphere. What more can you ask for? No need to think twice, book with The Romehello for your trip to Rome.

Do you have questions about The RomeHello? Feel free to reach out to them on the following platforms:

The RomeHello
Address: Via Torino 45 00184, Rome, Italy
Phone Number: +39 06 9686 0070
E-mail address: ciao@theromehello.com
Website: www.theromehello.com
Faceook: www.facebook.com/theromehello
Instagram: www.instagram.com/theromehello

Have you stayed with The RomeHello in the past? Care to share your hostel experience in the comments section below? Do you have any questions about the hostel or my experience? Feel free comment down below. You may also send these questions via e-mail to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

Thanks for joining me in today’s Hostel of the Day feature. Please also take time to check out my previous HOTD features by clicking this. You’ll find my other hostel reviews about Le Village Montmartre in Paris, The Bed KLCC in Kuala Lumpur & Z Hostel here in the Philippines. Before you go, can you visit my social media pages –Facebook & Instagram – and like or follow them? Thank you & see you in the next one!

PS. Photos were taken using my OnePlus 9 Pro.

Hostel of the Day: LE VILLAGE MONTMARTRE BY HIPHOPHOSTELS – Authentic & Affordable Parisian Property in the Artist District

A few months ago, my friends & I flew to Europe for a 3.5-week holiday. Our first stop was the beautiful French capital – Paris. We explored Paris for 5 days & 4 nights & decided to stay in an authentic Parisian & affordable hostel. The hostel where we stayed at – Le Village Montmartre by Hiphophostels – will be today’s Hostel of the Day feature. Read on below to know more about why you should stay in this hostel on your next visit to Paris.

Le Village Montmartre

Le Village Montmartre is an authentic Parisian hostel found in Montmartre – the city’s artist district. The hostel is situated in a 5-storey (including ground floor) old building along Rue d’Orsel just a few meters away from the famous Sacré-Coeur Basilica.

Le Village Montmartre is part of the Hiphophostels Group – a chain of affordable Parisian hostels & hotels. The 30-year-old hostel group has about 20 properties around Paris. Their hostels & hotels, including Le Village, are located in the city’s most famous & important areas like Montmartre, Latin Quarter & Belleville. The group also offers affordable rates for as low as €15 per night. Check out the hostel group’s website to know more.

In case you don’t know, I’ve featured the hostels I’ve been to since 2017. I already wrote about hostels from Asia, Australia & Europe. Check out all these hostel of the day features here.

Location & Access

Le Village Montmartre is located at 20 Rue d’Orsel in the 18th arrondissement (Montmartre area) of Paris, France. The hostel doors are about 400 meters away (or 7 to 10 minutes by foot) from the famous La Basilique du Sacré Cœur de Montmartre or The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris.

The hostel has a good location. It is 2-3 minutes by foot to Anvers Station on the Blue Line / Metro Line 2. It is 1-2 stations away from Gare du Nord – one of Paris’ main train stations. It is less than 30 seconds away to 2 supermarkets – G20 (our favorite) & Franpix. It is also near to a lot of restaurants, cafes & souvenir shops.

Le Village is about an hour away by train from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. It is about 40 minutes away from the airport by private transportation, Uber or FreeNow. Its location is an easy 10 out of 10; it made going around Paris by train easy.

Room Options

Le Village Montmartre has rooms for all travelers. The hostel has private rooms for those who want their own space during trips. It also has dormitory rooms for those who are traveling on a budget. Their private rooms have the following arrangements – double room with a double bed, twin room with 2 single beds, triple room with a single bed & a bunk bed & quadruple room with 2 bunk beds. All these rooms have air conditioning & heating systems. These also have private bathrooms & toilets with hair dryers. Bath towels are provided in these private rooms.

On the other hand, the dormitory rooms have the following configurations – 4-bed mixed dormitory room with 2 bunk beds, 4-bed female dormitory room with 2 bunk beds & 12-bed dormitory room with 6 bunk beds. All these dormitory rooms have in-room toilets & showers; these are also equipped with air conditioning & heating systems. Dormitory room guests are assigned lockers where they can store their valuables. Please note that guests need to bring their own padlocks & bath towels. Those who don’t have bath towels can rent them from reception.

Room & dormitory bed rates vary depending on season. We stayed in a 4-bed mixed dormitory room & paid €132 each (including city tax) for 4 nights – that’s €33 per night. My bank charged me a little over ₱8,100 (including foreign transaction conversion fees) for these 4 nights – roughly ₱2,025 per night. Note that we booked our stay 5 months before our intended trip. This is already cheap considering how expensive Paris is in general. Believe it or not, this property was one of the cheapest at the time of booking.

Each dormitory bed has a pillow, bed cover & a thin blanket. It also has a personal reading light & power socket. The dormitory room we got has a good amount of space to move around & has a window overlooking the communal terrace. It also has a shower (with hot water) & toilet, a small table & chair & lockers for 4 people.

Guest Perks, Facilities & Amenities

Like any other hostel, Le Village Montmartre by Hiphophostels has a long list of facilities & amenities which guests can enjoy during their stay.

Free Wi-Fi Access – All guests can access the hostel’s complimentary & stable Wi-Fi.

Breakfast Service – The property offers daily breakfast service to those who availed of this option at the time of booking. The big breakfast is available for purchase on the day itself or upon check-in for €9. It is also offered at a discounted rate of €6 if you confirm you’ll get it days before check-in. Breakfast is available daily from 7:00am to 10:00am.

Private Showers & Toilets – All private & dormitory rooms have their own toilet & shower areas. Please take note that bath towels are not included in dormitory rooms. Guests can rent one from reception for €2,5.

Air Conditioning & Heating Systems – All rooms are equipped with an air conditioner & a heater which guests can use depending on the season.

Shared Kitchen & Dining Area – The hostel also has a shared kitchen & dining area for those who want to prepare meals & eat these meals during their stay.

Communal Lounge Area – Guests can relax & chill in the hostel’s communal lounge area. There are seats & tables near reception that are available for all.

Communal Outdoor Terrace – The hostel has a communal outdoor terrace on the 1st floor. This area is open from 6:00am to 10:00pm.

Luggage Storage – Incoming & outgoing guests don’t need to worry where they’ll leave their bags before check-in or after check-out. Le Village Montmartre offers luggage storage for all guests.

Free Lockers – It also has free lockers for valuables which guests can’t leave inside the dormitory & private rooms. Please reach out to reception in case you want to use these lockers.

Hair Dryer & Ironing Facilities – The toilets have built-in hair dryers which guests can use when they need it. Ironing facilities are also available upon request from reception.

Computer Access – Need to book a flight ticket or research your itinerary? Le Village Montmartre has a computer which guests can use. Don’t hesitate to use the computer near the locker area.

Printing Services – The hostel also offers printing services for those who need it. Reach out to the person assigned in reception to know the latest rate.

Tour Desk & Ticket Service – Le Village Montmartre has an inhouse tour desk & ticket service. They offer airport transfers for a fee; they also offer Parisian Boat Cruise tickets for a discounted price. Make sure to check with reception which specific tours & tickets they offer.

24-Hour Reception – Guests arriving early in the morning or late at night don’t need to worry whether they can go inside the hostel or not. Reception is open 24 hours daily. Check-in starts at 3:00pm & check-out is until 11:00am.

Multi-Lingual Staff – The hostel’s staff speak many languages – French, Spanish, English & a few more. Guests who don’t speak French or English can still communicate with & ask questions to the staff at any time.

Daily Housekeeping – The hostel housekeeping checks & cleans the rooms & toilets daily. They make sure that the hostel facilities & rooms are kept clean & tidy.

Secured Hostel Access – The hostels doors are secured. Guests need to ring the doorbell so they can enter the hostel premises. Room access is limited to guests via their respective keycards.

The hostel doors. It is always locked & can only be unlocked by the person at reception. Secured!!

Lift Access – Le Village Montmartre has a small lift for guests who have big & heavy luggage & bags.

Hostel Experience

We had a nice stay at Le Village Montmartre. We won’t consider it eventful because we were out most of the time & we were only there to rest & sleep at night.

The hostel’s winning points are the price, the location & the excellent pre-booked breakfast. The hostel’s price for my 4-night stay was definitely the winner. It was the cheapest we got at the time, plus it even included the best possible cancellation terms. It was very cheap for an expensive city like Paris, France.

The hostel’s location was also a good selling point. It may be outside the main city & far from the other touristic place, but it is very accessible. It’s a few minutes away from Sacré-Coeur & Anvers Station of the Metro Line 2. It is also located in the lively & artistic district of Montmartre. Lastly, the pre-booked €6 breakfast was superb. It included croissant, pain au chocolat, baguette, butter, cheese, jam, yogurt, a cup of coffee (or tea) & a glass of juice. It was worth the price.

On the flipside, we wish the hostel had periodic activities which guests could join during their stay. We were there for 4 nights & we didn’t see anything happening. It doesn’t have to be a loud & chaotic party, but it can be something like a community dinner or games night where guests can join & meet other travelers. We’re sure many guests will be up for these activities.

Will I recommend Le Village Montmartre? Definitely! Will I go back & stay with them in the future? It’s a yes. You can never go wrong with this authentic & affordable hostel while in Paris. What are you waiting for? Go ahead & book directly with the hostel to enjoy the best rates!

Do you have any questions about Le Village Montmartre by Hiphophostels? Feel free to reach out to them on the following platforms:

Le Village Montmartre by Hiphophostels
Address: 20 Rue d’Orsel, Paris, France
Phone Number: +33 1 42 64 22 02
E-mail Address: contact@villagehostel.fr
Website: www.villagehostel.fr
Facebook: www.facebook.com/LeVillageMontmartre

Have you stayed at Le Village Montmartre in the past? How was your experience? Share your experiences in the comments section below. By any chance, are you planning to book your stay with Le Village? Do you have any questions about the property? Feel free to post them in the comment section. You may also send those questions via e-mail to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

Thanks for joining me in today’s Hostel of the Day feature. Please also take time to check out my previous HOTD features by clicking this. Before you go, can you visit my social media pages –Facebook & Instagram – and like or follow them? Thank you & see you in the next one!

PS. Photos were taken using my OnePlus 9 Pro.

Hostel of the Day: THE BED KLCC – Modern & Premium Capsule Hostel in Kuala Lumpur City Center

A few months ago, I flew to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for a week. I was joined by my friends for 3 full days & I took them around the beautiful city. I already posted about this 3-day budget Kuala Lumpur – check out this blog post to know more. After they left, I moved to another hostel named The Bed KLCC. This capsule hotel is the topic for today’s Hostel of the Day review. Join me as I share with you my experience & some facts about this modern & premium capsule hotel in Kuala Lumpur.

In case you missed it & aside from the KL on a budget post I mentioned above, I’ve also shared details about all my flights to & from Kuala Lumpur on Singapore Airlines – Manila to Singapore, Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur to Singapore & Singapore to Manila. I also shared details about the 1st hostel I stayed with in KL – PODs The Backpackers Home & Café. Don’t forget to also check them out!

The Bed KLCC

The Bed KLCC is a modern & posh capsule hostel that opened in 2017. The property’s goal is to provide comfortable & affordable accommodation in the Kuala Lumpur City Center. The hostel occupies part of the ground floor, 1st & 2nd floors of the famous Vortex Building. Reception is found in the ground floor with The Bean KLCC Café. The communal lounge & dining area is found on the 1st floor. The private & dormitory rooms are found on both the 1st & 2nd floors.

In case you don’t know, I’ve featured the hostels I’ve been to since 2017. I already wrote about hostels from Asia, Australia & Europe. Check out all these hostel of the day features here.

Location & Access

The Bed KLCC is located at No 12, Jalan Sultan Ismail in Kuala Lumpur City Center. It is accessible to major train lines – a short walk from KJ12 Dang Wangi Station of the LRT Kelana Jaya Line, MR8 Bukit Nanas Station of the KL Monorail & SBK18A Bukit Bintang Station (nearest Exit 7) of the MRT Sungai Buloh – Kajang Line. The GoKL City Buss Blue & Green Lines also stop near the property.

The property is about 25-30 minutes walk & train trip to KL Sentral – the city’s central transportation hub. From there, passengers can take the bus or the express train to Kuala Lumpur International Airport. The airport is an hour away by car or private transportation.

The Bed KLCC is pretty much near everything in KLCC. The nearest convenience store is literally opposite reception & The Bean KLCC. There are a handful of restaurants nearby such as Hard Rock Café KL, McDonalds, Gravy Baby & Healy Mac’s Irish Bar & Restaurant. Suria KLCC & the iconic Petronas Towers are 10 minutes away by foot.

The Bed KLCC’s location is easy a 10 out of 10. It is located within the city center & is near almost everything a visitor needs.

Private & Dormitory Rooms

The Bed KLCC has numerous types of rooms that can cater to all types of travelers. Those travelling on budget can stay in their dormitory rooms while those who are travelling with their friends or partners & want privacy can opt for the private rooms.

A bed in a dormitory room costs RM55-RM65 per night. The front entry bod costs RM55 while the side entry & female-only pods cost RM65 per night. A night stay in the dormitory room includes access to free Wi-Fi, air-conditioned rooms, roll-down partitions per bed, unlimited drinking water refill & shared bathrooms. The bed also includes a pillow & blanket, towel, reading light, power socket & a clothes hanger.

The Bed KLCC has 5 types of private rooms. The single pod suite costs RM100 per night & includes a single bed, a working table with mirror plus all the amenities found in the dormitory bed / room. The private twin pod & queen pod suite cost RM130, while the family & travel buddy rooms (all for 4 people) cost RM170 per night. All these private rooms have access to shared washrooms & toilets per area / group of rooms. The room rates mentioned above are the rates published by the property on their website. Please take note that other booking platforms such as Agoda, Booking.com, Hostelworld & Traveloka have their own promotional rates.

I booked my stay with Booking.com & paid RM270 for 3 nights in a private single pod suite. I got the room for RM90 per night. Thanks to my Booking.com Genius Level 2 loyalty status, I got a 10% off per night. This booking also had a flexible cancellation term which was perfect for travelling these days. My bank charged me ₱3,455.56 including the foreign currency conversion fee for all 3 nights. That translates to around ₱1,151.85 per night. It’s expensive for a city like Kuala Lumpur but I believe the cost is worth the price given the property’s facilities & amenities. You can get cheaper hotels or hostels than this,  but you can’t match the premium experience The Bed KLCC gives to their guests.

In case you haven’t read it, I also post reviews & features of my flights since June 2019. I’ve covered airlines such as EVA Air, Indonesia Air Asia, Singapore Airlines, Philippine Airlines & Cebu Pacific Air. All posts about these flights are found under the Flight Reports category.

Guest Facilities & Amenities

The Bed KLCC has a long list of facilities & amenities available to all guests. Check out these facilities & amenities below:

Fast & Free Wi-Fi – All guests have access to fast & free Wi-Fi. Their internet connection is perfect for those who want to work remotely from Kuala Lumpur.

Daily Breakfast Service – The property offers daily breakfast service to those who availed of this option at the time of booking. Unfortunately, I did not avail of the hostel’s free breakfast.

Aesthetic Communal Lounge – The Bed KLCC has one of the most aesthetic hostel communal lounges I’ve seen in my years of travelling. It is at par with the coziness of Steel House Copenhagen’s communal lounge.

Spacious Dining & Food Preparation Area – The hostel has a spacious dining & food preparation area for guests who want to eat or prepare their food in the hostel.

Complimentary Tea & Coffee – Guests can make their own coffee or tea in the dining area as long as the common area is open.

In-House Café – The Bed KLCC has an in-house café called The Bean KLCC. The café offers coffee, tea & some snacks & sandwiches.

Well-Maintained Communal Shower & Toilet Areas – The property has clean & spotless shower & toilet areas. These common areas are found on the 1st floor & are well-maintained.

Private Room Amenities – Private rooms have amenities that are not found in dormitory rooms. The rooms have working tables & chairs, toiletries (including toothbrush & toothpaste), storage spaces & reading lamps.

Private Wash Rooms – Guests in the private rooms have access to clean private wash rooms. These wash rooms are complete with toilet papers, hand soap, shampoo with conditioner & liquid body soap.

Travel Desk – The Bed KLCC also has a travel desk for those who want to avail of local tours & airport transfers. Feel free to approach the hostel staff to find out more about this service.

Luggage Storage – Guests who arrive earlier than the check-in time or those who will leave hours after the property’s check-out time can store their luggage with the property. Don’t hesitate to ask reception where you can leave your bags.

Laundry Services – The property also offers laundry services for those who need their clothes / belongings washed during the stay. Please ask reception on how you can avail of this service.

Communal Powder Room – The Bed KLCC also has a communal powder room for those who need to use it. It is located near the communal shower & toilets.

Hair Dryer & Ironing Facilities – The hostel also provides hair dryer & ironing facilities. These are found inside the powder room.

Unlimited Drinking Water Refill – The Bed KLCC offers unlimited drinking water refill to all its guests. The water dispenser is found near the sink in the communal food preparation area. Don’t forget to bring you own water container.

Shoe Storage Areas & In-Room Slippers – Guests need to leave their shoes in their respective shoe lockers. All rooms should be accessed using the in-room slippers provided by the hostel.

Centralized Air Conditioning System – The property has a centralized air conditioning system. This means that air conditioning is only open at night (I think at 8pm) until 8am. The communal areas remain well ventilated throughout the day.

24-Hour Reception – The property’s reception is open for 24 hours. No need to worry if your flight or bus arrives after midnight or if you need to leave for the airport in the wee hours of the morning.

Boardgames / Puzzles – There are boardgames & puzzles which guests can play with during their stay.

Printing & Scanning Services – The hostel also offers printing & scanning services for a fee. Feel free to approach reception to avail of these services.

Friendly & Multi-Lingual Staff – The Bed KLCC has friendly & multi-lingual staff. They have staff who speak Malay, English & even Filipino.

Secured Hotel Access – Only guests have access to the dormitory & private rooms. Guests are given key cards during check-in that work on their assigned floor / level.

Lift Access – Guests who have luggage & big bags need not worry about bringing their bags to their rooms. The hostel has 2 lifts which can be accessed using the hostel key cards.

Hostel Experience

I had a lovely & quiet stay with The Bed KLCC. I arrived around 8:00pm & was greeted by one of the Filipino staff at reception. I was even assisted by one of the staff & helped me bring my bags up to my private room. Great welcome from the staff!

The single pod suite was decent, neat, but didn’t have much space. The room layout was alright. The room gets super cold at night; guests do not have the power to control the in-room temperature. The thick comforters somewhat help ease the super cold temperature. I hope the property management can find a way to have the best possible temperature at night or at least improve the room ventilation systems. 

The property’s highlight for me is its communal lounge & dining area. This communal space is very aesthetic. It looks & feels very cozy, modern & premium. I initially planned to work in my room for 2 days but ended up doing it in one of the high chairs & tables in the common area. The area was quiet & perfect for work.

The Bed KLCC pretty much remained quiet throughout my stay. I didn’t get the chance to meet some co-travelers / guests. I hope or wish the hostel can organize activities for those who want to join & meet other people. It doesn’t have to be a loud and noisy party; it can even be just a community dinner or game night or other social activities. I’m sure there are guests who will join.

Will I recommend The Bed KLCC? Definitely! It’s a premium, modern & cozy property found in the middle of Kuala Lumpur City Center. It is at the higher end of the affordability range in Kuala Lumpur but it surely lives up to its price. If only I knew that I’d be working most of the time from the common area, I should have stayed in one of those dormitory beds instead. Anyway, I still had a great stay with The Bed KLCC!

Do you have questions about The Bed KLCC? I’ve listed their contact details below. Feel free to reach out to them on the following platforms:

The Bed KLCC
Address: G1 @ Vortex KLCC, No 12, Jalan Sultan Ismail, 50250 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
Phone Number: +60 3 2715 2413
E-mail Address: booking@thebedklcc.com / thebedklcc@gmail.com
Website: www.thebedklcc.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/thebedkl
Instagram: www.instagram.com/thebedklcc

Have you stayed with The Bed KLCC? How was your experience? Share your experiences in the comments section below. By any chance, are you planning to book your stay with The Bed KLCC? Do you have any questions about the property? Feel free to post them in the comment section. You may also send those questions via e-mail to contact@thewkndtravel.com.

Thanks for joining me in today’s Hostel of the Day feature. I cannot wait to share more hostels to all of you. Please also take time to check out my previous HOTD features by clicking this. Before you go, can you visit my social media pages –Facebook & Instagram – and like or follow them? Thank you & see you in the next one!

PS. Photos were taken using my OnePlus 9 Pro.