Ostello Verbania

Pro: Amazing value for money! You can't beat this: Comfy bed in a dormitory style Free parking on site (upon availability) Good selection breakfast included in the rate. Amazing location with a swimming pool and lake view. Friendly staff and service Would absolutely recommend! Cons: Would probably have to say the lack of power sockets in the room as well as not many toilets available.

Ostello Verbania is really well located and has a wonderful view of the lake. The hostel also has a pool and grass where you can sit down on day beds, which is lovely. Rooms and bathrooms were basic but good enough/clean. Overall, the hostel was great value for the area and I'd recommend staying if you want to visit the area. Getting there was a little tough. The closest train station is an hours walk to the hostel. There is the Line 1 bus, which takes you pretty close though. NOTE that the bus leaves from the parking lot side of the station, not the front of the station. Out the front of the station there is a number for a taxi. Breakfast was really good for a hostel. They had yoghurt, meats, bread and pastries buffet style. No complaints with the breakfast. The room were very basic. The thing that irked me was they've shoved so many beds into the rooms there is very little to no room for bags without piling them on-top or right up next to the bags of other people. In terms of bedding, it's what youd expect from a standard dorm. Does the job and nothing fancy. There are lockers available but you need to bring your own lock or buy one from reception. They're big enough to store a day bag, definitely not big enough for luggage. The bathrooms are unisex with gender specific toilets. The showers arent great but do the job and are clean. You can't control the temperature but I never found that to be an issue. The temp was fine for 3-5 minute showers. There were quite a few cafes a short walk from the hostel. There is also one really cheap pizza place called Curcuma Risto bar that we went to a bunch. Service was slow there but cheap drinks and food made is a standout.

A unique hostel with a wonderful view of the lake and old town - a former villa on a huge parcel of land converted to a hostel. On a Thursday in late May, I stayed in a dorm for €20, including a very nice brekkie (meat, cheese, yogurt, cereal, pastries, etc). The beds and baths are very good, the kitchen is large and well-equipped, the common area has plenty of tables to work or play, and the terrace has the amazing views. TIP: You'll need a car or taxi, because it's 1km up a very steep hill from the old town.

Wonderful hostel! Very clean and great amenities like the kitchen, swimming pool, breakfast, etc. I really liked being so immersed in the unique nature of the lake (I could see palm trees and the Alps at the same time!) and the cute town which is only a 10 minute walk. There are enough solo travelers to chat with in the evening as well. Highly recommend this place to escape the summer heat in the cities! The only drawback for the price is that the beds are pretty basic. Not a huge problem for me, but I was definitely more comfortable being in girls-only dorm. Also, the bus from verbania-pallanza station doesn't go on Sundays and is cash-only (learn from our mistakes 😅)