Hostel Boutique

I’m posting the same email I sent them. I spent time and money dealing with two hotels, Central Hotel Milano and Il giramondo. I don’t know whether they’re part of the same chain, but they have different names. I’d lost a flight and needed another one from Milano the next morning, so I made emergency bookings one after the other. My first booking at Central Hotel Milano was confirmed, but when I called, they said they couldn’t check us in after 10pm. I argued with them and with eDreams, the hotel search site, but there wasn’t time to sort it out and risk being left on the street, so I booked Il giramondo too. When I called that hotel, Giuseppe answered. He was the same receptionist I’d spoken to at Central Hotel Milano, and he told me the same thing: they’re one hotel and couldn’t check us in after 10pm, even though both had accepted the reservation.

The rest of the hostel was fine, but the staff were the worst I’ve ever encountered. I’ve stayed in a lot of places and never had an administrator treat me so badly during check-in.

I’d stayed at seven hostels before Central Hostal Milano during my 24-day Europe trip. The hostel itself was quiet, comfortable, and convenient for a short stay, but getting checked in was frustrating. After carrying heavy luggage for 15 minutes from Milano Centrale Station, I got the keys and was told the room was at another location, about 10 minutes back toward the station. That meant roughly 25 minutes of walking before I actually reached the hostel, and the directions weren’t communicated well. The building had an elevator, which helped with my bags. My room was a six-bed dorm, with just one shared bathroom and toilet on that floor. There are a few nearby cafes for breakfast or coffee. Leaving was easy: I just left the keys on the bed. The start was rocky, but the stay itself was nice and quiet.

My friend and I found bed bugs in the room and got sick. I’d rather pay a little more somewhere that gives me peace of mind.