The Siena Hostel is located about 15 or 20 minutes via bus from the heart of Siena, so it is not exactly convenient. Take the Number 10 or 15 bus from the bus stop in town but make sure to check with the driver as the routes change throughout the day and the hostel stop can be hard to judge. If taking the Number 10 bus, there is a somewhat steep additional five minute walk to the hostel (following the signs). Some guide books mention taking bus 3, but there is only one hostel in town and bus 3 doesn't stop there.
The hostel is located near a few restaurants (including McDonald's and more traditional pizzerias) and a coop supermarket. It is also possible to buy all meals from the hostel. A rudimentary breakfast consisting of a roll, hot drink, juice, jam, and butter will cost a small fee but is only served from 7:30 and 8:30 a.m. You can also buy lunch and dinner. There are no kitchen facilities.
The hostel doesn't really have a communal friendly feel, and with the 12 p.m. curfew (plus 9:30 a.m. checkout) it is not a party hostel. There is a common room but the uncomfortable plastic benches are not a popular hangout and the TV is always on so people don't talk that much. There is also internet available, but it costs a lot less at various internet points in town. The staff at reception are friendly, helpful, and speak good English.
The rooms are clean and private with two twin beds, sink and closet in the room. Beds are quite comfortable and sheets are provided. Some rooms don't have bunk beds. Each room requires key entry every time the door is opened and so security seems quite adequate. The showers are sublime -- go to the ones on the second floor -- they must be the best in all of Italy.
Breakfast (a roll and coffee) is an additional 1.50 euros, so you could just to get a fresh croissant in town. Depending on the time of year, the hostel can be filled with rowdy students who go to university in Siena, but it is still a relatively quiet place to stay.
The hostel does not take reservations directly, so try to book through Hostelz.com. Otherwise your only other option is to call back continuously throughout the day (often starting at 10am and continuing every hour or so until 4:30pm) to confirm whether there is a bed.
Overall the Siena Hostel is a cheap, pleasant stay, and a nice place to do day trips to other parts of Tuscany.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
November 2006
Location/Contact
2.2 Average from 14 Ratings
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