Carpe Diem - Ostello della Gioventu

I had a fantastic stay last month — my friend and I had a private room and it was basic (as you would expect) but clean and suited our needs. Maurizio and the rest of the staff were great — the family atmosphere was friendly and relaxed and we felt really at home. In fact we didn't want to leave. Yeah the bathrooms could have been better but with an atmosphere like this — who cares!

Really dirty washrooms, plus mold everywhere. Obviously the place is not really safe, even though I was lucky. They only stole my towel. You cannot get sleep as there is constant coming and going, mostly of people who work there. They switched on the lights every time. Never again would I go there. One positive thing: the manager really picks you up at the station.

Well I stayed at this hostel last year and frankly there was nothing wrong with it any more than there is in your home. So it was not perfect but the host sure was. If there was a problem he took care of it straight away and anyone needing help he immediately took care of that, too. Plus he picks you up from the airport and he will take you back there again.

I did notice that Maurizzio (the manager) and his friends love to peek from the window and see the girls undressed. Me and my friend Carol were having a smoke outside one night when we noticed it. Oh, please do not accept massages from Maurizzio, he will do anything to go to bed with any girl.

I really enjoyed my stay here. If you are looking for a place to drink and chat with people this hostel is for you. But you shouldn't expect comfortable beds or nice showers.

It still gets my vote. It's spacious, has 2 sweet dogs, and I never went to bed hungry. There's free parking, it's right on the bus-line to town (or to Ostuni!!!), and I was picked up promptly from the airport. They are like my second family!!

This is your standard low-end backpacker's hostel. If you want somewhere cheap and convenient and like to drink and party, you might like this place. But if you're expecting something vaguely comfortable you should know that the bathrooms are pretty nasty (missing toilet seats in the ladies & 1/2 inch of water on the floor after a rain storm), the beds are foam slabs rather than mattresses, and this place is NOT near the beach. You could do worse than this place, but I would not stay here again. It is full of stale, smoky air and alcohol, along with constant loud disco music. It's a bit like staying in a bar. But the staff are very helpful, especially with transportation, and speak good English. I didn't see any "villas and green gardens" and the pay telephone was not working.

I had a good time. It's cheap and cheerful. Staff are helpful, and the manager could not do enough to make sure people had transport to and from the ferry, station and airport. All good people when we were there; I had not heard of any stealing. It could do with a good cleaning, though.

I loved this hostel. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful, and the home cooked meals were delicious. The best part was sitting around afterwards and chatting with everyone. I didn't want to ever leave!!

I would have liked the hostal had it not been for the complete uncleanliness of the bathroom, the dorm room and the fact that there are no windows open at any time, which means you must breathe stale smokey air mixed with alcohol. As well, the worst part of this hostal is that you cannot trust anyone who works there, who stays there. It is not a safe place for any of you belongings. I had a $150 Euro pair of Oakley glasses stolen, two t-shirts and cash stolen out of my suitcases which were zipped up and under my bunk. You need lockers with locks. It's rediculous! Stealing is unnacceptable.

I was one of those who didnt want to leave, I was taken care of in every way!!!!!!! :)