Ostello Cascina Costa Alta

The building and grounds are absolutely beautiful, and the town’s train connections make day trips to nearby cities fairly easy. We enjoyed evening walks, especially around the central square. The location is out in the countryside of Monza, about 30 minutes by train and then bus from Milan. It suited us because we didn’t want to be in the city at night, but it wouldn’t work as well if you want to go out late, since the last bus is a little after 10. Getting to and from the hostel on public transport was confusing the first time, though we worked it out. Staff were always very nice and helpful. Reception wasn’t open at the advertised times, but the bar staff were willing to help; how much English they spoke varied. Breakfast and coffee were super nice. There’s a kitchen, but it isn’t equipped for making a full meal: it has a stove, fridge, and microwave, and we found three pasta strainers but no knife or cutting board. The hostel is also an event venue, with a small bar and a nice outdoor area available for private parties. Our biggest issue was that events went past the 10 pm quiet hours, with no notice about when they’d happen or how long they’d last. In the ground-floor room especially, we were kept awake by loud music and people talking outside.