HI - Menaggio - La Primula Hostel

There are a few hostels in the Como lake area in Northern Italy and La Primula is the best option because it is located in the middle portion of the lake shores. At 15 miles from Lugano, Switzerland, it offers excellent hiking and mountain climbing alternatives, beyond nice ferry trips to other villages around the lake.

Though it is an HI hostel, the management is not such class A as HI advocates. There is a lack of personnel and employees are always busy, which results in a poor service to visitors. Also, as it is common practice in Italian hostels, the hostel is closed from 10 AM to 4 PM and no entrance is allowed in this period and there is a curfew.

The rooms are not big, since the estate is a villa adapted to be a hostel, but there is a sink with a mirror in each room, which are very useful. Linen and towels are available at a cost.

The hostel is in the slopes of a hill and has a nice porch on the first and on the second floor, opening to the lake with a great view. It has several games available for guests and offers Internet (but at a high price). This hostel has a very informal atmosphere with music playing all the time. Breakfast is accompanied with opera and meals with jazz.

There is no kitchen but this is compensated by the excellent meals which are offered at a reasonable price, with drinks included. Only a freezer and a microwave oven are available for guests; however the nearest supermarket did not have any microwave food for sale. Breakfast is included, consisting of coffee or chocolate with bread and butter under an eat as much as you can basis.

Showers are collective for both sexes, with no doors (only vinyl curtains) and it is difficult or even impossible to have some privacy during your bath.

Nature is the great value of this hostel and no guests should be worried about staying inside the hostel with so much to do outside, especially because the nearest hostel (Como) is located in town without any remarkable attractions.

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