Volturno House

It's a basic place, but a nice one in a really handy spot. Termini and the bus stations are about a five-minute walk away. Ahmed, who manages it, is kind and sweet, and I felt welcome. The beds, rooms, and bathroom were cleaned every day, and my ten-day stay felt peaceful and secure. There’s only one bathroom, so you may have to wait, though it worked out smoothly for me. Bring earplugs, since some guests can be noisy and a neighbor has the TV on every evening. One heads-up for Booking reservations: the city tax is paid when you arrive, as Booking’s terms say. It’s already included in the price shown when you book, so you don’t pay extra. People may think it’s a mistake because it’s unusual, but it isn’t.

The price and location were great, but the place itself felt very odd. There was a rotten meat smell in the lobby, and the general atmosphere was strange. The toilet and shower weren't working properly, even though they did function. My room also came with a huge colony of ants. At least they didn’t snore.

There’s no sign to show where the hostel is, and once you find it, it doesn’t feel like a hostel. There’s no reception, calls and emails go unanswered, and finding anyone there is a matter of luck. The place was dirty and nothing like the website photos. Beds are pushed right together, so I slept about five centimeters from a stranger. The bathroom didn't work, there was loud noise, and people kept moving through the room. No privacy at all. The worst place I’ve ever stayed.

I’d give this a zero if I could, but one is the lowest option. The beds were in awful shape, with disgusting pillows, mattresses, and blankets, and the bathroom was still filthy even though it was somewhat clean. The entrance was hard to find, smelly, and scary. Staff were barely around, we only saw them checking people in and out. And I don’t even want to get into the people sharing the room. Worst place to sleep that I’ve ever seen.