Hostel San Marino

The quiet off-season atmosphere made me think of Jude Law’s opening observations in The Grand Budapest Hotel. My sheets were clean and the room got plenty of sun, and they let me check in early, which I appreciated. I couldn’t find a corkscrew that evening and was a bit frustrated, but managed without one. Otherwise, the place is pretty well equipped. Since this is the only hostel in San Marino, it suited what I needed just fine. It’s below the historic centro, with a grocery store in the neighboring building, which was handy.

The receptionist charged extra for sheets and a pillow and called it “normal.” I’ve stayed in hostels for two and a half months, and this was the first time I’d come across that. The room felt humid, and I couldn’t open a window. Everything else worked fine, so the stay was just okay.

Bed bugs! I changed rooms and found them there too. Management didn’t seem to care and wouldn’t even give me another room. Don’t stay here.

The historic center is 4 km away, and if I remember right, buses run every 1.5 hours from 08:10 until 07:25. When I arrived, though, Mr. Maurice, the owner and caretaker, kindly drove me to the historic center because there were no buses then. Thanks, Mr. Maurice, I appreciated the gesture. I was the only guest in the big room. The stay was okay for the price, though linens and towels cost an extra €3 or 4. A little more lighting downstairs and on the street might improve the hostel’s impression. It’s the only hostel in San Marino. I had a good stay for what I paid.