Ostello Bello Roma Colosseo - Hostel and Bar — Hotel in Rome

I booked this hostel as a solo female traveler for a week. The room that I booked was a 2 bed female dorm as I feel safer sleeping around other women. The hotel seemed promising, free burnt coffee, a kitchen with stoves that didn’t work and a stuff that turned out to be less than helpful.

On Saturday at 1 AM I woke up to the door of the room opening. Since my last roomate had moved earlier in the day, I assumed by the time that this was a new roomate. Contrary to this, I woke up to a male staff member that had open the door with a key. Terrorised and vulnerable I screamed. I must emphasised that I was alone in my room at 1 AM, when a strange man open the door. He said “sorry I was checking the bed” and he left.

After that, I couldn’t go back to sleep. Since he worked there, he knew I was alone and I was scared of him or another male staff entering the room. So I decided to go downstairs to speak with someone about this. The only staff member there, was the one that had enter my room (apparently the hostel only has a 1 person night staff go figure and also they only employ men at night). I asked him why he had entered the female doorm without asking and he couldn’t provide an answer. He just kept saying I’m sorry I scared you and was avoiding answering why he entered. I explained to him that I wanted to be moved to another room because I didn’t feel safe (apparently for him, entering female spaces without asking is fine) and he said the hostel was booked and he couldn’t moved me. Finally after half an hour of asking the same question “why did you enter the room” and he avoiding answering, he said “well I needed to check if your roomate arrive”, my response was “did they check-in?” and “doesn’t your system show that someone has checked in” and he went silent. Needless to say I didn’t get an answer that could satisfed my concerns for my safety.

The day after I talked to another staff member and she, instead of offering a solution, she justified her coworker saying “Well he must have had a good reason to enter the room”, that I wasn’t understanding her and refused to give me another solution that wasn’t gaslighting me into thinking that I was overreacting.

I had to move to another location since no one from the staff was willing to help or understand the situation. Additionally I wrote to their manager who “was away” when I asked to speak to them, so I can ask for a partial refund of the days that I didn’t stay. No one answered my email.

If you’re a solo female traveler...

I feel lucky to have found this place in the middle of a very packed Jubilee and busy touristy time in Rome (late September ‘25). I was a little worried to not have a private room because all they had was a three person woman’s dorm – – which turned out to be wonderful and my roommates were friendly and helpful. My favorite part about staying in hostels is you meet really good and interesting people, both the staff and the other travelers. Bello Ostello Roma is pretty exceptional with their 24/7 free services—coffee, filtered water, a front desk person, wifi, and a bike!! (Which I used gleefully, I had to find a bike shop to fill up tires which any biker worth their salt accepts as a personal responsibility). It was a great bike and I rode all over the ancient city, so happy to give my legs/feet a break from the first day of walking everywhere. Yes the ancient streets and cobblestones are hard on the body but who can complain when surrounded by a 2000 yr+ old historical marvel of one of the greatest ancient civilizations? I loved the energy of all the staff-/very helpful with everything! The roof patio was perfect for early morning yoga and I enjoyed delicious free coffee/tea/water whilst connecting to fun travelers. The rooms are clean, the shower was great, the AC worked and most needs have been tended to thoughtfully—chargers and reading lamp by bed, lockers etc. The place is charming with cute, artsy touches that depict the history of this amazing city/civilization. I wish smoking could be limited to outside front of building only, because smoking stinks up the environment and I would ban it from the planet if I were Emperor. :)) I highly recommend to anyone, especially younger travelers who want to feel safe. They also host many activities for solo travelers who want to connect with other travelers. It’s about 15 mins from Termini Station and 30 mins walk to ancient center. Thanks to all the staff for your good energy and...

In the months I spent solo traveling in Europe, I stayed at countless hostels across several countries - this one is by FAR my favorite of them all. The amenities are much more expansive than your average hostel and the staff really go above and beyond to give you a comfortable, happy stay. Ostello Bello really felt like my home in Rome - to the point that I returned multiple times in my month of traveling Italy - and when I’m back on that side of the Atlantic I will undoubtedly run back yet again. Its location is perfect to explore the city. And with an amazing rooftop terrace (hammocks and all), plus a park only a couple minute walk away, it’s the ideal spot to rejuvenate before or after sightseeing. The nightly events (family dinner/karaoke/rooftop barbecue etc) are a great way to meet cool people from all over the world… During my stays I met incredible people who quickly went from fellow travelers to dear friends thanks to the nice environment and community culture that this hostel cultivates. The whole OB crew has great recommendations for your time in the city/Italy in general, and overall they made my time in Rome everything I needed/hoped it would be, and then some extra (which I’m SO thankful for). Martina and Giancarlo will give you the warmest welcome at reception.. Flavio, Angelina, and Alessio make great drinks at the bar and genuinely feel like old friends if you feel like chatting.. and lastly, Jorge is not only a lovely human, but also a really great manager - if anything about your stay isn’t perfect, just tell him and he will make it right immediately. Clearly I could write a novel about all the reasons why this is the best place to be - but the moral of the story is if you’re traveling in Rome, you don’t need to look any further for an exceptional and safe...