Ostello Bello Lake Como — Restaurant in Como

WHY I WOULD NEVER STAY HERE IN THE FIRST PLACE: I walked in two days ago to ask for some info and, because the young lad at reception was checking in some new guests, I stood discreetly at the side for about ten minutes and then had a wander around the common room for another ten (about two meters from reception and with its doors wide open - so in plain sight of the receptionist) hoping that when (or before) he'd finished he would turn to me and ask how he could help. No such luck: having completely ignored me, the lad simply disappeared, and was replaced by a young lady who, as I approached her and was about to open my mouth, was quick to inform me that I had to wait for the guy to come back. I politely stood by in silence for another few minutes then, having by this point lost interest in ever staying there or having any of my friends stay there, did not heed her advice and, since the place has a quaint little bar and inner court, simply went on to enquire whether it was possible to have a coffee and breakfast there if you were not a guest. "Oh if that's what you needed to know you should have said!" came the answer. Was I ever given a chance? She then kindly (it has to be said) proceeded to let me know that yes, the bar is open for guests and non-guests alike! Of course I could have breakfast there! I went off feeling satisfied that the long wait had been worth it, and already relishing the next morning's breakfast. The next day I turn up at about 7.30 to find the gate is locked. I ring the bell and the lad from the day before (I recognize his voice over the intercom) tells me that the bar is for guests only and that in any case they're not even open till midday. What? A hostel??? Well, all in all I only set foot inside this place for about half an hour but the overall experience left me feeling so annoyed - having got up an hour earlier before leaving this beautiful city especially to go and have breakfast there - that I felt compelled to write a review about the poor, ill-mannered and incompetent service. The place "looks" great but in this case I fear, looks are definitely deceiving. By the way, for a delicious breakfast served with a smile, I recommend the pictureque Chinese-run Como San Giovanni station bar where they also do...

I have stayed at Ostello Bello for three nights in late August, and I must say, it was by far the best hostel experience I've ever had.

The Ostello Bello is located central and very close to lake Como. It’s easy to reach from the train station Como San Giovani and you can get to the city center, which you can explore by foot easily, within minutes.

Regarding the rooms there is not much to say, but also nothing to complain about. I have been staying in a six-bed dormitory. Everything was clean, AC, shower and toilette were working and toilette paper has been always available. Here it depends on the people you are staying with.

The breakfast is good, but in any case there is a supermarket 24/7 open right next to the hostel where you can go in case you can not make it to the breakfast until 11 a.m.

What’s special about Ostello Bello are the very cozy common areas in the inner courtyard of the hostel where I enjoyed chatting and drinking in the evenings and sharing a breakfast with newly made friends in the morning.

There’s also a fully-equipped kitchen, complemented by a cozy rooftop terrace. It offers some free food and everything you need to make an Italian pasta, making it the perfect spot for cooking with friends and soon-to-be friends. Some free snacks and free water are also always available.

The staff is very courteous and happy to help you finding the best activities and spots around Como. I particularly enjoyed the organized social events, such as the “family” dinner, beer pong tournament, and quiz night. These activities are fantastic opportunities to get in contact with the other guests in the hostel. Special thanks to the volunteer Laura who has been organizing these events with so much effort and was eager to get all people involved and connected. After these activities, the common area tends to transform into a lively bar, offering reasonably priced drinks, which even attracts locals. It’s the perfect setting for a fun night out in Como.

Thank you to Laura and the entire Ostello Bello team for making this trip truly unforgettable!...

I booked this hostel during my stay in the Lake Como area. The walk from the train station to the hostel was only a 10-12 minute walk, and if your stop is at the end of the train stop called Como, you will be walking in a lovely stretch of the street overlooking the lake and restaurants! The check-in process was fast, and the staff at the front was super friendly.

The vibe of this hostel is amazing. I love the whole setup, and it's conveniently located in the central area for shopping, eating/ coffee shops, and boat tours. The hostel's outdoor bar/patio area is excellent for hanging out with friends and people-watching. The staff offers food and good selections of drinks during your stay for purchase. (The bar is open 24/7!). I booked a six-bedroom dorm style for females only, and the whole dorm was clean; the beds were sturdy and beautifully painted with bright yellow color. The view from my dorm overlooked the other outdoor patio area--it would be a great spot to chill in hammocks and chairs if the weather was nice (during my stay, the weather was rainy/gloomy).

Since I came during the weekend, there was an event at this hostel every night, which allowed me to interact with other groups or solo travelers from all over Europe who were also in Lake Como for a weekend getaway.

I highly recommend this hostel to those looking for a hostel that is safe, clean, and fully staffed with people who genuinely love meeting new travelers and helping them when needed. I had the best time here during my stay in Lake Como. I would come back here and stay in the future if I...