Suzanne Coble

Review of Hostel Mancini, Naples

Hostel Mancini is a fantastic hostel. I have done...

Hostel Mancini is a fantastic hostel. I have done my fair share of traveling in the last few years over multiple continents and I can easily say that Hostel Mancini (in terms of staff, cleanliness, and that general welcoming feeling) goes far beyond the norm. Although the area outside the hostel made me a little bit uncomfortable (which I expected as it is conveniently close to the train station), as soon as I walked through the hostel doors I felt happy and safe. The general decor inside is colorful and vibrant, with unique, tasteful touches such as pizza boxes lining the walls (to play tribute to Naples as the home of pizza). The staff there was also extremely helpful and hands on. I was greeted by the owner himself, who gave me a map with directions to get to Pompeii, Almalfi, Positano, Capri, and Ischia. He also suggested a walking tour along the beautiful Naples waterfront and historical center, explained which castles have the best views (and are the cheapest), and where to get the best pizza. After being shown my room (a comfortable 5 person dorm) I took a tour of the hostel: it is small and cozy, with the bedrooms separated from the common areas by a stairwell which helps keep it very quiet. The common areas are a different story, with a lively check in/out area, the kitchen, a great TV room and book exchange area, and a dining room (which we used to eat AND play cards), After my quick tour, I joined other guests in the kitchen area, which is spacious, clean, and well stocked with a large refrigerator and freezer, pots, pans, cooking utensils, salt, oil, and dishes for eating---Any traveler on a budget knows how important it is to have a nice kitchen in the hostel!! Breakfast is served in the same kitchen from 8 to 10, and it goes beyond a typical Italian spread, offering cookies and nutella, toast and jam, cereal, yogurt, tea, milk, hot chocolate, and American coffee. Plenty of sugar and caffeine to start the day off right!! I liked the city and the hostel so much that I extended my stay from 3 nights to 6. An excellent decision because I got to enjoy the weekly pasta dinner served by the staff: free pasta and gelato for everyone who signs up!! I could not have asked for a better place to call "home" during my week in Naples. Thank you Hostel Mancini! I had a blast!!