HI - Marina di Massa - Ostello Apuano Hostel is a lovely place to stay with thoughtful management and is a great base for exploring La Cinque Terra by car. Located in a coastal resort town, the hostel is large and during summer likely filled with big groups dining in the outdoor cafeteria or lounging around the gardens. The hostel is not heated, so if your stay is not in summer, be prepared for some chilly rooms.
The Location
The hostel is located right on the beach (slightly industrial) on Via delle Pinete which runs along the coast road north of the actual town of Marina di Massa. The town is one of many along the coast and not overly exciting. However it is only a half hour drive to La Spezia and La Cinque Terre, so as long as transport is available, the hostel makes a fantastic base for exploring and a much more economical and less touristy place to stay than any of the Cinque Terre Villages.
If driving, exit from the A12 or SS1 follow signs towards and drive through Marina di Massa and onto Via delle Pinete, where you'll see the sign to the hostel at it's turnoff. The hostel is not signed from town and is a few hundred meters out of the main centre but still surrounded by local bars, shops, and housing with a small marina nearby garden gate onto the beach, which you can walk along towards town.
Rooms and Bathrooms
The dorms (male and female) are spacious, with beautiful sea or mountain views from the windows -- and in some cases, great, wide balconies with deck chairs. If you're there at the right time of the year you'll see snow-capped mountains out the back while the waves crash around the front of the hostel! The twin private rooms (with bunks above each other) on the other hand are boxlike but for an extra euro you wouldn't complain. Double rooms have a key. Dorms are left unlocked and the storage lockers aren't lockable.The main gates to the hostel and from outside are locked outside of reception hours, but you can get access during the night by prior arrangement with reception. The surrounding seaside area feels reasonably safe.
The showers are clean. They are separate from bathrooms and are coin-operated systems (but no coins required when we were there). Toilets are clean enough, but bring your own soap and towel.
Common Spaces
The hostel has a large TV room with plenty of couch space, plenty of outdoor seating and lawn areas, and a whole (albeit partly rocky) beach out the front. The kitchen is simple but very functional -- bring some coins for the gas hot plates, which are challenging to light given the lack of lighters provided. There is a large, secure parking lot upon entry into the hostel grounds.
Summary
Hostel Apuana is a very pleasant place to stay with a reasonable hostel atmosphere and lovely staff. With its large common areas, you'll have plenty of opportunity to meet fellow travelers, though it's a little off the beaten track and best used as a base for the surrounding area and La Cinque Terre.
Review by S. Topf— Informe exclusivo de Hostelz.com
April 2008
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