Centrale Station

Ostello Bello Grande Milano Centrale

★★★★★

Ostello Bello is a small Italian chain of hostels that has redefined budget travel in the country, and its Milan Centrale property, known as Ostello Bello Grande, is a favourite with backpackers, young couples and anyone travelling on a tight budget. It sits on Via Roberto Lepetit, about a hundred metres from Milano Centrale station, which makes it the most practical budget base in the city for day trips to Lake Como and Bergamo, for early trains to Venice, Florence or Rome, and for the airport buses that leave from beside the station. The rooms range from shared dormitories for four, five or six people, including female-only dorms, to private singles, doubles, triples and family rooms. Every room, dormitory or private, has its own ensuite toilet and shower and air conditioning, and beds come with lockers and a USB plug, so comfort is well above the old idea of a hostel. What makes Ostello Bello special is the atmosphere. The 24-hour bar is the social heart, with a programme of nightly events, from quiz nights and darts to karaoke and Sunday football; there is a rooftop terrace with hammocks, a garden with a barbecue, a movie room and common areas with fast Wi-Fi and workstations. Many little extras are included in the price: a welcome drink, free use of the shared kitchen, which is stocked with free pasta, fruit and vegetables, plus free water, tea and coffee, laptops, hairdryers and earplugs. Breakfast and an Italian aperitivo are available at extra cost, and towels and laundry are paid extras too. Reception never closes, and you can leave luggage before check-in free of charge.

The location is about convenience rather than charm. The area around Centrale station is busy and functional, with some rough edges late at night, but the hostel is just a couple of minutes from the station entrance, and the green and yellow metro lines take you to the Duomo in about ten minutes. Corso Buenos Aires, one of Europe's longest shopping streets, is a short walk away, and the Porta Venezia neighbourhood, with its Liberty buildings and lively bars, is fifteen minutes on foot.

Living in it: expect a friendly, energetic place where it is easy to meet other travellers, with staff who are welcoming and full of advice. Dorms can be lively, so pack earplugs, though the hostel provides them too. Private rooms are a good-value alternative to budget hotels for couples and small families, and the ensuite bathrooms make a real difference. Pets are allowed in private rooms. Book ahead for weekends, fashion weeks and Design Week.

Who it suits: solo travellers, backpackers, students, young couples and budget-conscious families who want a sociable atmosphere and the best possible base for train travel. If you prefer to be in the old centre near the Navigli, the sister hostel, Ostello Bello Milano Duomo, is the alternative; for a quiet room in the centre with breakfast included, the Hotel Spadari is a step up in price.