HI - Finale Ligure - Vuillermin Castle Hostel

Wow!
After reading some information on the Vuillermin in our local paper in Melbourne, I had to experience it. I booked a family room near the top level. Some will argue that the three hundred or so steps is just too much trouble -- then take a short cab trip up! However, once you experience the view, it will definitely be worth it. It will stay in our memory forever.

Nice hostel BUT it's like a PRISON. Really, you must sleep in your room, the doors are open until 12 p.m. and there's no way go inside after this time! You can't stay here from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. When it's rainy weather it's really SH*T.

I sort of fell out of the train at Finale because I was on my way to Portofino and really wanted to get away from the tourist hordes. Me being one of them, I understood what a menace they are. :-) Anyway, I found my way to the Castello and enjoyed what is probably one of the best parts of my backpacking trip. The town was great, the people very friendly, and the food awesome. For some great authentic Italian pizza just head down the steps to any of the restaurants on the beach. I wish I were still there.

Unreal. This place holds some of the most incredible memories of my trip to Europe. Sleeping in a castle, drinking cheap wine, friendly guests and staff — it can't be beat. I slept outside on the terrace one night looking up into the stars. You HAVE to go here if you go to Italy.

As the last place I stayed at in Italy, Castello Vuillermin was the best and left a lasting impression on me. I will forever remember sitting on the ledge and looking over the beautiful ocean as the sun was setting and the lights started to glow. The price was just right and I even treated myself to one of the parasols for a day. I hope to return!

Fabulous place, the best place we stayed in Italy, a magical find! On the last day I decided to run up all 371 steps to the top! I don't think I've ever been so close to passing out before, alcohol excluded!

This is a great castle!!! It's so beautiful! Nice people, great view, just so great!

It's great! It's close to beautiful beaches, and you can live in a lovely little manor. What more can you want... the only trouble is that you must climb the long long stairs to get there. Also there isn't a kitchen.

Man, this place is a godsend. Me and my good friend Danny were traveling with 3 18 year olds, and by the time we ventured into Nice, France, it was tourist hell. However, we jumped on the train into Italy, determined to escape all the crap. It was actually really random that we ended up in this tiny, magical villa. More like a point on the map. "Let's get off here." We got off the train, and within minutes these 2 british girls, sensing our obvious tourist tendancies (i.e., looking around and looking lost as hell) asked us if we wanted to split a cab up to the hostel. The hostel turned out to be a castle. Wow. You have to walk up about 200 steps to get to the top but it's worth it. Million dollar views for $11 a night. The first floor consists of the reception area, complete with a computer with internet, and a cool banquet area (where we drank wine with our foreign partners-in-crime). The second floor is the girls' dorm, where you are put with about three bunkbeds per room. The kicker is the next floor up, where there is the rooftop overlooking the beautiful riviera. You go outside and then indside again to the boys' area, where it is literally the tier of the castle. Then there is a ladder you can go up one more level into a little tiny tower room. We met the greatest characters here, and it is one of the best kept secrets in italy. When you get off the train, you can make a run for it and try and get there before it's sold out, or you can take a cab. The beach is a short walk down thru the town. It's a really artsy and funky (but clearly touristy) town but a toned down version of other more famous places like Cannes. I think it completely made the trip.