The Hostelz.com Review
Upon arriving at the curiously named Funny Palace Hostel, you are directed to a laundromat/internet cafe on the bottom floor of the building. At this point, you check in (cash only, no credit cards accepted) and the attendant gives you three keys and a tourist map of Rome, along with some info on how to get to the local sites, all of which are readily accessible.
The Location
Funny Palace is located three short blocks from the Rome Termini station, which is the central station for the city of Rome. From Termini, you can get virtually anywhere in the Eternal City. The Colosseum, the Spanish Steps, Vatican City ... all are easy to get to from this subway station. In addition, a one-way fare on the Metropolitano is a great deal. There isn’t much shopping in the immediate area, but upon taking a short walk back to Termini, you will find a drug store, supermarket, and countless restaurants and cafes, along with various clothing and gift stores.
Rooms And Bathrooms
It isn’t a hostel in the traditional sense at all, but rather a series of apartments in the building. Most of the apartments are occupied by regular residents, and a few are used by the hostel. Some of the full-time residents have posted signs in English, letting you know that their apartment is not part of the hostel. They have comfortable regular beds -- a welcome respite for those who are tired of bunk beds.
There are two bathrooms and showers in the apartment for what looks to be a maximum of ten people. We did not have a problem getting hot water, but the showers seem to have some issues, as we heard from other hostelers. There is no charge for towels. The rooms are cleaned daily, and the entire hostel is impeccably clean.
Common Spaces
The quite small common area is what would would have been the dining room of the apartment, with some small cafe tables set up to maximize space. There is a kitchen, with a refrigerator, stove, and oven, but no cooking implements, which makes it a bit of a white elephant. There are just some glasses and plates. On the bottom floor, where the check-in takes place, is a laundromat. The guests get a special price, which includes wash, dry, and soap. The hostel has a strong Wi-Fi signal throughout. The free breakfast is a coupon for a "coffee or cappuccino or the (sic) or juice" at a local cafe. You can also get a discount at a neighborhood restaurant.
Summary
The name Funny Palace Hostel is a bizarre choice. The reception in the laundromat may be unusual, but it does not seem to be "funny ha-ha" or "funny strange." It’s not a palace by any standard, just a nice apartment building. And ultimately, it’s not a hostel, but simply a cheap space in an apartment to share for a few days.
The Location
Funny Palace is located three short blocks from the Rome Termini station, which is the central station for the city of Rome. From Termini, you can get virtually anywhere in the Eternal City. The Colosseum, the Spanish Steps, Vatican City ... all are easy to get to from this subway station. In addition, a one-way fare on the Metropolitano is a great deal. There isn’t much shopping in the immediate area, but upon taking a short walk back to Termini, you will find a drug store, supermarket, and countless restaurants and cafes, along with various clothing and gift stores.
Rooms And Bathrooms
It isn’t a hostel in the traditional sense at all, but rather a series of apartments in the building. Most of the apartments are occupied by regular residents, and a few are used by the hostel. Some of the full-time residents have posted signs in English, letting you know that their apartment is not part of the hostel. They have comfortable regular beds -- a welcome respite for those who are tired of bunk beds.
There are two bathrooms and showers in the apartment for what looks to be a maximum of ten people. We did not have a problem getting hot water, but the showers seem to have some issues, as we heard from other hostelers. There is no charge for towels. The rooms are cleaned daily, and the entire hostel is impeccably clean.
Common Spaces
The quite small common area is what would would have been the dining room of the apartment, with some small cafe tables set up to maximize space. There is a kitchen, with a refrigerator, stove, and oven, but no cooking implements, which makes it a bit of a white elephant. There are just some glasses and plates. On the bottom floor, where the check-in takes place, is a laundromat. The guests get a special price, which includes wash, dry, and soap. The hostel has a strong Wi-Fi signal throughout. The free breakfast is a coupon for a "coffee or cappuccino or the (sic) or juice" at a local cafe. You can also get a discount at a neighborhood restaurant.
Summary
The name Funny Palace Hostel is a bizarre choice. The reception in the laundromat may be unusual, but it does not seem to be "funny ha-ha" or "funny strange." It’s not a palace by any standard, just a nice apartment building. And ultimately, it’s not a hostel, but simply a cheap space in an apartment to share for a few days.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
November 2011
Their Description
Funny Palace Hostel Details
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Funny Palace Hostel Reviews from the WebHostelz.com Guest Reviews
Cancel the hostel you have booked -- owner who cares!!! The owner, Mabry, truly cares that you enjoy Rome. We arrived and he told us EVERYTHING we needed to know. (If required, go back at noon -- I don't think he's an am person). He mapped the whole city out for us based on our length of stay. Later on when there were other things I wanted to do -- he provided me with amazing directions. He was a backpacker and wants people to enjoy his city. He owns a laundry/internet cafe downstairs and there is wifi in all the rooms. There are a few "annoyances" but this is a hostel not a 5 star hotel. Seriously -- 1 small elevator -- but the highest walk is 5 stories -- not going to kill anyone, and there is only one bath for each apartment, I just didn't plan to shower in the am. Again not a hotel - don't expect never-ending hot water people. Do you want to stay at a hostel where the owner cares and wants you to enjoy the city or do you want total convenience?? If so go to one of the million hotels in rome where you are a number. Its close to termini, and if you follow the instructions it's simple to get there. The only thing I would do different is ask about the subways. There is only 2 lines in rome and so simple -- even if you aren't used to them. They gave us our own room, even thought we booked a dorm -- at same price and a bottle of wine to welcome us. I obviously can't guarantee that treatment for you -- but I've been sleeping in hostels for over a month -- and the choice is someone who cares and is proud and wants to help people, or being a number in a massive dormatory. Also they make the beds everyday (total luxury) in room safes, kitchen, central location, laundry and pay internet downstairs. Wifi in the rooms for free. The desk is open 8-1030 pm but you get your own keys -- no curfew. This place is awesome, unless you need a babysitter. If you can't handle showering in the pm you shouldn't be on vacation. — Anonymous , canada (2011-11-05) WTF My boyfriend and I were going to go there last summer, followed the directions and could not find it for the life of us. We wandered around for effing hours asking locals, saying they've never heard of it. By the end of the night we had to pay a lot because it was late and we had to take what we could for a hostel -- seriously where the hell was this place? — krista , canada (2010-04-29) A gem of a hostel! Just returned from a glorious surprise trip with my son whose trip was made all the more special because of the excellent personal service of Mabri and Johnny who complimented my eleven year old son on his ability to converse and show appreciation to the superb funny palace staff. The room on the top floor was simple but spacious, the lift quirkily exciting, and checking in to a laundrette simply added to the adventure. I e-mailed Johnny and Mabri a group picture of us on our return and also rang them to thank them again. I'm planning to take my wife back there in October. One of the best hostels I'm ever likely to stay in because people make a place and the people there are certainly happy! — Mike Bainbridge , British (2009-04-16) A Joke Well, the Funny Palace is certainly appropriately named. Because when I walked into my room, I laughed out loud. I'm not an old man, but never in my entire life have I ever been forced to endure such barbaric and all-around pitiful accommodations. The bathroom situation was beyond comical. Twelve people. One bathroom. One toilet. A shower that couldn't bathe one infant, let alone twelve adults. I could have taken a better shower in my sink at home. The room temperature stayed steady at a low estimate of 106 degrees. Let us not forget to mention the building that contains the hostel -- each time you walk into the main hallway you are greeted with the vile, putrid scent of Rome's finest trash. The elevator is technologically inferior, even by Ancient Roman standards. I could go on for days. However I won't bore you. I leave you with this simple message. There is no worse place than the Funny Palace in all of Europe. If you plan on actually enjoying Rome, and not purposely inflicting torture upon yourself, stay in a prison. You'll have more fun. — Braden W. , United States of America (2008-07-01) Decent hostel, but not great First the good -- Good location near termini station, cheap/free internet downstairs, great staff. Beds and room were very clean. Now, the not so good -- there are eleven beds total (split into three to four rooms i think) with one bathroom, with one toilet, one shower with no hot water. Second, the keys really suck, they are very old locks and sometimes would get stuck and take forever to open. Also, it's hot. There's no air conditioner so it's always stuffy and hot in the room, even with windows opened and fans blowing. Also, it was hard to find because there's no sign, it's actually in a building right next to the "checkin" place, which is pretty much just a laundromat and internet cafe. Pretty disorganized. Otherwise, it's a decent place. — jacki , usa (2007-06-25) Great Hostel -- All inclusive! I got into Rome late at night and they had my reservation all ready! The hostel is a little hard to find because there is not a big sign. Instead it is attached to an internet-laundry place. They washed and folded my clothes for 5 euros and I had free internet and a bottle of wine! The hostel is in a great location near the tremini station and all major bus lines. The guy was great in helping me plan my three days and even called the museum to make a reservation for me! The beds are comfortable and there is a little farmers market right around the corner that has fresh fruit. Security is excellent and I felt extremely welcomed! — Kristin Bella , USA (2007-06-06) I stayed at this hostel for three nights. our room was so sweet and neat, the bathroom was clean, too. the location is very perfect too. i really enjoyed Rome thanks to Mabli! he was so so so kind and friendly! when i have time to come to rome again, i will choose funny hostel again too. — meg (2007-03-03) I stayed there two nights in February. The hostel is not bad and the owner is helpful and nice, he even gave us a bottle of wine. The toilet is not really clean and our room for four was old, dark, and not fully clean. It is close to Termini and close to many restaurants but far away from sight points. It is not the best choice but it is cheap. — Nestor (2007-02-28) I have to say that this was the best hostel I have ever been to. The people were really helpful, actually sitting down with me and helping to map out a route for sightseeing. they then escorted me to my room, which was extremely clean, and looked like a hotel room! I met the owner of the hostel the next day, who recognised us all and greeted us personally. Not only that, I received a follow up email from him asking me how my trip was and encouraging me to come back and stay at the hostel. Now that's service! — Simon (2006-11-26) Mabri and his staff at the Funny Palace hostel are very helpful and professional. The rooms are spacious and clean, with many conviences that are not usually included in other hostels -- small fridge for grocery, ensuite bathroom, TV, free internet access. I have stayed in many many hostels and have to say he gave the best service of any I have been to. That being said Funny Palace is typical of what you would expect from Rome. But by far one of the best points about the Funny Palace is the laundry service. They will wash and dry your clothes for you, and even fold them! for any seasoned traveller or newbie, this is obviously a perk! Especially after you start to notice your own stentch. They also were so friendly, they help map out a perfect route to tour Rome in whatever amount of time you have. We've only been in Rome two days but we've been to everything in the city, through their adivce. There's a reason why they are rated one of the highest. I would definitely recommend this place. — claudia calderaro (2006-08-27)