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Ave Gratia Plena Hostel Details
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Ave Gratia Plena Hostel Reviews on Other WebsitesHostelz.com Guest Reviews
Fine time in Salerno I enjoyed my stay in Ave Gratia Plena. There were quartets from the local music school playing every evening and sitting with my new roommates on the balcony of the old church, overlooking the fountain and the musicians, under a blue sky, in the chamber of instruments. what could have been a more wonderful experience? The staff were very friendly. And cots, while not great, fine for a good night's sleep. Down the winding, narrow streets to the main promenade was a bit uneasy to follow and remember, but it was quiet "back home" and folks I met were great. Security was almost comical -- a locking cabinet in which we were allowed to store our packs had no back and could be "walked" away from the wall, if one was a thief. I just trusted in the spirits of the Ave Gratia to keep my pack safe for my two nights there in June 2007 since it would be my supply house for two months. Even after seeing many more hostels along the way throughout S. and N. Europe, I really enjoyed this hostel. Close by are Mt. Vesuvius and the Amalfi coast. What is not to love? — Margaret P. , American/ U.S. (2009-09-05) Ok place in a great town An ok hostel in a great location. My mattress was rather uncomfortable (never been flipped in its life), and while the place was not especially clean, it wasn't overly dirty, either. On the plus side, the staff was very friendly, and the location was unbeatable! It was in the heart of the old town, just off the main, pedestrian only street. There was a beautiful balcony looking over a courtyard just off of my room. Salerno is a five-star city! It is an easy base for seeing the Amalfi Coast, Pompey, and the Greek ruins at Paestum (highly recommended). It is touristy enough to have the amenities, but not too touristy to lose the feel of a real Italian city. It also has a very nice old city. — Gerry , USA (2008-01-14) I'm studing in Salerno and I've been to 32 different youth-hostels and spent 467 nights in hostels and I can say for shure that this hostel in Salerno is one of the most beautiful ones i've ever seen.
(just 10,00€ for students) — Karel (2006-02-19) This hostel was a huge disappointment. From the outside it looks rather picturesque but on the inside it's horribly dirty everywhere, from the room to the toilets to the rooms to the water fountain.
I stayed there on a school trip with our teachers, who were staying in a hotel just down the road. The difference in quality was obvious; although I only saw the hotel's lobby I would rather have had slept on its floor than on the hostel's grimy beds. And while I'm on the subject of beds, the one my friend stayed in was broken. It was obviously quickly assembled, as it was very unstable.
I refused to shower in our bathroom as the shower curtain was too short, so I showered in the male showers, having to leave the door open to see what I was doing as the light didn't work and there was no window. The breakfasts are stale and if you want a drink you have to buy it from a vending machine.
The only thing nice about the hostel is the staff. Overall, how this hostel doesn't break the Geneva Convention, I do not know. Do not stay here! — Outraged British Tourist (2005-11-07) I stayed there three nights (2 in a dorm and 1 in a twin) in April 2005, as I used it as a base to visit Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast, and Capri. The hostel is 1500 meters from the station and not 600 meters, as said in the brochures. The walk from the station to the hostel is quick and nice and for 90 percent of it is all on the main central walking street. The final part is a little worse, but there's nothing to climb.
Just outside the hostel is dirty (and loud) as it is situated in the narrow, old part of the city. People in the hostel have all been helpful and nice (free luggage storage). The rooms were ok (maybe a little dirty) and the bathrooms also. Breakfast is a nice "cornetto" [sweet roll] (you can take how many as you wish if you go early and the hostel is not crowded) and bad beverages (chocolate and coffee, but I am sure they put water in it and not milk!!).
the hostel has been a good base for touring around, as Salerno is much more "livable" than the dangerous Naples! I recommend it. — Davide Santi, 27 years old, Italy (2005-05-04) After recently staying here for five days in April, I have to agree with the comment that this is like a "rundown mental asylum home!" Our first room had mould all over the walls, old hair on the pillows, hardly any of the doors locked, and the lighting was ridiculous! Our bathroom had more mould (now there's a surprise!?!), and we had what was like a tea towel for a shower curtain, therefore the floor FLOODED when you showered. It was so bad we had to change rooms to get out of this dump. We managed to change rooms, and the second room was "slightly" better. At least there was no mould!!! The breakfast was one stale croissant and a hot drink (which you had to pay for!) Definitely choose the hotel if you do not want to stay in the house of horrors!! — Anonymous (2005-04-21) This place was BAD. The walls had mould on them and it kept growing. There was no toilet seat and no shower curtain. The breakfast was nice but that's all. The balcony was ok in the evening. The long walk up the hill was a drag. — Anonymous (2005-04-07) Very, very loud from inside and outside noises. The hostel closed from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. everyday for cleaning. — Anonymous (2005-03-28) Ave Gratia Plena is a good find in a great town. Both the dorms and rooms are kept extremely clean, and although perhaps lacking in character a bit, are nevertheless comfortable. Bathrooms are clean as well, though a bit claustrophobic- the showers are tiny. Breakfast, bread rolls with all the trimmings i.e. jam, hot beverages and those ubiquitous prepackaged cornetti, is served in a nice airy common area by the friendly, pleasant staff members.
The best thing about this hostel is probably the building itself. It is a former convent and remains very peaceful and serene. There's a beautiful courtyard with a fountain that can be seen from the balconies surrounding every room, and in the evening sometimes you can hear a choir singing at a nearby church.
The town of Salerno is a bit off the tourist path, but it is definetly worth a visit. Southern Italian food is out of this world, and there is one particular restaurant five minutes away from the hostel on the main drag that serves the best gnocchi alla sorrentina…even better than my mother's, and that's saying a lot. This dish alone is worth the trip, no exaggeration. The beach isn't so great, but there is a nice promenade filled with young Italians engaging in their national pastime of sucking face, that leads to the port where you can take a (cheap) short, scenic ferry all the way to Positano and Capri. From the train station, it is a short (cheap) ride to Pompei and Naples. Still, though, take some time to walk around Salerno and explore its backstreets. It is a lively, charming, friendly city, and you're likely to be one of the few tourists there. — Laura , Canada (2004-12-21) Salerno is a great place to visit, and the people are so nice there. However, this hostel was, well, a dump. It looks like a run-down mental asylum (apparently it used to be a convent). The rooms are gross (ours had mould all over the walls). A cleaner, more secure option would be the three-star hotel near the station (if you have the funds). In general, though, I found Italian youth hostels well below par, so maybe this hostel is a good quality, budget Italian accommodation, and I'm just being picky. — Anonymous (2004-08-29) I have been back for four days, but I really miss this place. The hostel was fine, and the accomodations good. We had a double room. It was clean with a very good bathroom and a standard breakfast. In case of hunger, one could buy some extra food, which was cheap. Salerno is not much of a tourist trap, and that's the reason I loved it. We had some problems, but the staff were very nice in helping us solve them. Everybody was satisfied. The staff were nice, but the best was Alessandro, with his big hair and big smile. I really enjoyed this trip. — Mimi (2004-08-19) This is a nice hostel in a very nice location. After leaving the train station, there is an information office on the corner on the right where you can get a map. It's a bit of a hike to get down to the hostel, but you'll quickly forget. The hostel has good facilities, internet, and a nice bar area in the centre of the building. There is a beach nearby, but it's better to catch a bus north to where there are better beaches and to go see more of the Amalfi coast. — CathG (2004-07-18) The best hostel I've visited in Italy. The location is fantastic and the rooms, single and double as well, are clean! — Peter Tornh (2004-02-21) This hostel is located about 1500 metres from the trainstation but that's about the only real disadvantage. From the trainstation it's easy to go to all the touristy places: Pompeii, Vesuvio, Capri, Amalfi coast etc. Some bathrooms can't be locked and have 3 showers in one room but you get used to that pretty soon. Besides, if you make good agreements with your roommates they will respect your privacy. Dorms are clean and spacious but they also offer 2,3,4 bed-rooms. Breakfast is included in the price and one of the best I've had in a youth hostel (bread rolls, jam, butter, tea, coffee, water etc.). The location is quiet and Salerno is a very Italian town with not many tourists from abroad. I really enjoyed staying here. — Wakey (2003-07-14)