I was on a solo budget trip to Italy and staying in hotel wasn’t really budget friendly and I didn’t want to stay at some random stranger’s home via Airbnb. Though I love Airbnb and stayed at some when I was travelling with my guy, I don’t think I would even be able to sleep when I’m solo!!!
At Florence, I stayed in this hostel called Ostello 7 Santi (Ostello is Italian for Hostel). I found it at hotels.com and the best part was I had the option of paying either online or at the hostel itself! Both had its own plus and minus when it’s in different countries. Cancellation was allowed till last minute but in my case, when I’m paying with an Indian or England Card, INR/GBP vs Euro value would go up or down is uncertain and I didn’t know if I was gonna pay more or less if I waited till the date of stay! But then I just went ahead & chose to pay at the hostel.
The main stop of Florence was Santa Maria Novella. But the Flixbus took me only till Piazzale Montelungo, which is the previous main stop to SM Novella. From there a short walk took me to the bus stop and about 15 mins ride took me to the hotel. The bus ride from Rome to Florence was €5 while the bus ride to the hostel was €2!!!
I just followed the Google Maps and it was about 10 PM and honestly, I was a wee bit scared to be walking alone when it was almost deserted, in the dark!!! 10 PM is London was never this deserted! The hostel was located a bit off the main road. But the moment I got into the hostel, instantly I felt safe and I felt home!
The hostel was booming with life with disco lights and music and a bar at the entrance. The checking in process was smooth. As soon as I entered I was enquired if I had a booking. My passport was taken for a copy and my room key was given. I had opted for a women’s dorm. The hostel obviously has several mixed dorm rooms, but I stayed in a women’s dorm. There were plug points dedicated to each bed, so charging the phones/cameras weren’t an issue.
There’s a dining section, common phone and internet cafe in the ground floor and the rooms are in the first floor and above! The shared rooms have 4 beds or rather 2 bunker beds. There are 4 cupboards in each room. The rooms are equipped with a mirror and washbasin. The bathrooms & toilets are common to each floor. There are about 4 shower rooms and 4 toilets to each men & women! There’s one huuuge mirror in the bathroom as well.
The view out of my window the next morning was gorgeous. The entire hostel was filled with so much of greenery!!! Some of the guests had their superbikes parked beneath the trees. On one side was the Parrocchia dei Sette Santi Fondatori Church!
I didn’t have dinner there, but I had the breakfast next morning. It was €5 and opens at 7 AM! Unfortunately, I had to leave by 7 AM and all that was available by then were the ready stuff like coffee/tea, juices, croissants, cereals and fruits! I couldn’t eat too much that early but I did pick up a few packed muffins and fruits that I ate after meeting David!!! So effectively, I can’t comment on how the food is here!!!
It was one of the coolest places I’ve stayed in and managed to meet some awesome people, which is the best of staying in hostels. My roommate was from USA and was on a month-long trip, country hopping in Europe, how cool is that!!!
To Get There:
Nearest Bus stop: Mille Stadio
Ph no of the hostel: (+39) 055 5048452
Prices for single occupancy in dorm with shared bathroom begins at £17