Milan's Hidden Gem: Babila Hostel & Bistrot - Unbelievable Value!
Babila Hostel & Bistrot: Milan's Secret Treasure (AND I'M TELLING YOU ABOUT IT!) – A Review That's Probably Too Long (But Worth It)
Okay, buckle up, because I'm about to gush. Babila Hostel & Bistrot in Milan? Forget the tourist traps. This place… this place… is a freakin' find. I normally wouldn't write a review this long, but after my stay, I felt compelled. Like, morally obligated! Consider this a love letter, an exposé, and a slightly frantic plea for you not to book it and ruin my chances of going back again! (Just kidding… mostly.)
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- Meta Description: Discover Babila Hostel & Bistrot in Milan! An unbelievable value for budget travelers. Read our detailed review on cleanliness, amenities (including accessibility!), dining, and why we're obsessed. Includes tips for things to do in Milan and more!
(Deep Breath) Now, let's get messy…
First off, location, location, location! Getting to Babila is a breeze. Easily accessible, and a short taxi ride from Malpensa Airport - you can even arrange a pick-up (Airport transfer) which I HIGHLY recommend after a long flight. Seriously, I was ready to collapse, and they whisked me right in.
Accessibility: A Big, Freaking Plus
Okay, let's talk accessibility. This is HUGE, and something I specifically looked for. They've got it. I saw the Facilities for disabled guests everywhere. The Elevator is smooth, the corridors are wide. No problem getting around. It made a huge difference knowing that everyone could enjoy this place. So kudos, Babila, on getting that right.
Cleanliness & Safety: My Inner Germaphobe Was THRILLED
Look, I'm a bit of a clean freak. Okay, a lot of a clean freak. And Babila passed the test with flying colors. Anti-viral cleaning products? Check. Daily disinfection in common areas? You betcha. Rooms sanitized between stays? Absolutely. I mean, I saw the staff wiping down everything, religiously. It was genuinely reassuring, especially in today's world. Their commitment to Hygiene certification is clear. Then there are the obvious security measures. *CCTV in common areas, *CCTV outside property*, *Fire extinguisher*, and *Smoke alarms* are everywhere, not to mention the 24-hour front desk and 24-hour security. It felt safe! This is more than some sterile hotel - it's a place that feels like it genuinely cares.
The Rooms: Cozy, Comfy, AND Well-Equipped
I stayed in a private room (non-smoking of course!). It was simple, but perfect. Clean bed (fresh Linens!), good enough Air conditioning, a desk to work at (I desperately needed to catch up on things), and thankfully - Free Wi-Fi! Also important, they had a Hair dryer, which you don't find everywhere! A Mini bar for a cheeky late-night snack, which I may or may not have abused… Everything was super functional. They even gave me a bottle of water upon arrival! And the Blackout curtains… oh, the blackout curtains! I could actually sleep past sunrise, a rare luxury. I was also happy they had a Mirror because I like to check myself out. The Bathroom itself? Spotless. They even provided Toiletries including towels which I always appreciate!
Dining, Drinking, & Snacking: OMG, THE FOOD!
Now, listen up, foodies! The Bistrot! The Bistrot! Seriously, my expectations were low. I'm used to hostels having…let's just say, basic food options. Babila blew me away. The Asian breakfast was out of this world, with so much variety, and even Asian cuisine in restaurant! The Coffee/tea in restaurant available all day along with the delicious desserts in restaurant*. I had the buffet in restaurant one morning and it was glorious! I could actually get a breakfast of my choice which has vegetarian options which is a plus! The Poolside bar was great to have a cocktail in. The Snack bar was perfect for a quick lunch. And don’t get me started on the Happy hour… (Shhh, don’t tell anyone!) There are Restaurants to choose from and even Room service [24-hour]. Their A la carte in restaurant menu was just bursting with flavors! This place is worth it for the food alone. I was surprised how much I loved it.
Things to Do & Relax: The Spa?!? REALLY?!
Okay, so… a hostel with a spa? I was skeptical. But yes, Babila has a spa! (Spa/sauna) A Sauna, Steamroom, and Spa! There is even Massage. I didn't partake, but I could see it was popular (and reasonably priced!). They have a Gym/fitness center too! There's a Swimming pool [outdoor] and a Pool with view! I didn't have time, but I saw people enjoying it. Even the thought of all this stuff feels luxurious, especially at hostel prices.
Services & Conveniences: Little Touches That Make a Big Difference
They offer so many things! Everything from Air conditioning in public area to Concierge services. It was so nice to have Daily housekeeping, because I am lazy. The Invoice provided made it easy to plan my budget. Every morning, the Breakfast takeaway service was ideal because I had some early planned events. the doorman, Dry cleaning, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Safety deposit boxes, Smoking area, and the Terrace - It's really quite a complete package. They even have the little things, like Cash withdrawal on site. It's everything you could possibly need.
Getting Around: They've Got You Covered
The Airport transfer was brilliant. Seriously, a lifesaver. They also have Bicycle parking and Car park [on-site].
For the Kids: Family Friendly? You BET!
I didn't have any kids with me, but I saw tons of families. Babila is definitely Family/child friendly. They have Babysitting service and Kids meal.
The Staff: Heroes in Scrubs!
Honestly, the staff were the absolute best. So friendly, so helpful, so genuinely nice. (Staff trained in safety protocol), I wanted to adopt them all. They made you feel like nothing was too much trouble. The kind of people who make your trip.
Any Downsides? (Because I Gotta Be Honest…)
Okay, I'm clutching at straws here, but… the Wi-Fi could be a little spotty in the rooms at times. But honestly, it's a minor quibble. And, of course, it's so good that it's popular, so you might need to book well in advance to secure your spot. (And DON'T TAKE MY ROOM!)
The Verdict: Run, Don't Walk!
Seriously. Babila Hostel & Bistrot is a steal. It's stylish, it's clean, it's safe, it's friendly, and the food alone is worth the price of admission. If you're looking for a budget-friendly place to stay in Milan that doesn't skimp on the important things (cleanliness, comfort, good vibes), book it now. You won't regret it. I’m already planning my return. And I hope I can snag my room again! Babila, you’ve won me over. Five stars. (Plus, a secret sixth star for sheer awesomeness). Go on, treat yourself! You deserve it.
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Okay, buckle up, buttercup. Because this is NOT your sanitized, perfectly-planned, influencer-approved itinerary. This is a Babila Hostel & Bistrot, Milan, experience, warts and all. Prepare for a chaotic, glorious mess.
Babila Hostel & Bistrot - Milan: The REAL Deal (aka, My Slightly-Unravelling Adventure)
Day 1: Arrival of Dramatic Proportion (and Pizza)
14:30 - Land of Lost Luggage (or, Malpensa's Revenge): Arrive at Malpensa. Okay, first off, the airport is HUGE. Like, "I-think-I-just-saw-a-lost-mammoth" huge. And my luggage? MIA. Poof! Gone. Vanished. I'm now wearing the same travel outfit I've sweated in since God-knows-when. Panic level: DEFCON 3. But hey, at least I have my passport and a slightly-stained t-shirt.
16:00 - Finding Babila (and Praying for AC): Took a train and finally arrived at Babila hostel. The walk from the train station made me wonder why I packed like I was going to climb Everest instead of just hang out in Milan. Sweat, check. Overwhelmingly-heavy backpack, check. Questionable sense of direction, double-check. Found the place eventually. It's…cozy, let's call it that. And the AC? Seems to be a concept they haven't fully embraced. I'm already regretting not bringing my own personal ice floe.
17:00 - Checking In & Initial Judgments: The check-in process was a blur of Italian and frantic hand gestures. Did I understand anything? Not really. Did I smile and nod? Absolutely. The hostel's colorful. And by colorful, I mean… they've definitely gone for a "bohemian explosion" aesthetic. Think mismatched furniture, walls covered in street art, and a general feeling that anything goes. This could be amazing. Or I could end up in a room next to a tuba player. (I'm starting to get a feeling which one is more likely, honestly)
18:00 - Pizza Pilgrimage (and the Beginning of a Beautiful Friendship?: Pizza's the priority, obvs. I asked for the best pizza place near the hostel and they gave me a few. One was packed, one was okay, and the third…. was heaven. Crispy, cheesy, the perfect sauce. I devoured it, and in the process somehow made friends with an old Italian man, who, despite my poor Italian, apparently understood my utter pizza bliss. He kept getting me more food. It was magical.
20:00 - "Chill" in the Common Area (A.K.A. The Great People-Watching Experiment): The common area's a riot. People are chatting, playing cards, swiping on dating apps (which is, apparently, a universal language). I spot a guy with a guitar who looks like he’s contemplating the meaning of life while strumming the same three chords. A couple's having an intense debate about the best gelato flavor. It's all wonderfully chaotic. I actually, like, LOVE that.
22:00 - Bedtime Story (Literally): I'm exhausted. My room? Uh, well… let's just say it has character. You've seen those movies where a room is a giant mess and you feel like you've stepped into someone else's life? Yeah, it's kinda like that. But whatever, I'm too tired to care. Time to pass out and hope the Tuba player stays quiet tonight.
Day 2: Culture, Coffee, and a Cat That Hates Me
08:00 - Wake Up, Regret, and Coffee: The sun blazes in. The Tuba player wasn't so bad, lol. The hostel coffee is… well, let's be generous and call it “functional.” Needed a proper espresso to feel human. Went out and found a tiny cafe on a side street. The barista, a tiny woman with a huge smile, saved my life. I'm pretty sure that espresso zapped me with pure energy.
09:00 - Duomo Domination (and the Tourists That Drive You Nuts): The Duomo is breathtaking. Seriously. It's a Gothic masterpiece and I'm humbled by its scale. But the crowds…Oh, the crowds. I've never seen so many selfie sticks in one place. I understand the tourist hype now. Still, I almost lost it when someone blocked my view for a photo. My emotional reaction? I'll leave it at that.
11:00 - Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II (and an Expensive Shopping Guilt Trip): Okay, this place is stunning. Absolutely breathtaking. But I felt this huge pressure. All those high-end designer shops and I had the feeling I had to buy something, even though my budget screams "NO". I walked around, and walked around, and walked some more, then decided to be satisfied just looking. The architecture is pretty amazing, so, all is good, I guess.
13:00 - Lunch, and a Moment of Existential Reflection (Over Pasta): Found a cute little trattoria. Had some pasta. Honestly, the pasta was so good that I forgot about everything else and just lost myself in the food.
14:00 - Pinacoteca di Brera (Art and the Agony of Appreciation): The Gallery is interesting and the artwork is nice. I tried to be sophisticated and appreciate the paintings, but let's be honest, my attention span is that of a particularly distracted goldfish. I'm pretty sure half of them are staring straight through me now.
16:00 - Back to Babila and the Mysterious Cat (Part 1): Oh my god. The hostel has a cat, which, on paper is great. But this cat seems to hate me. Glaring at me, hissing, walking in the opposite direction whenever I get near it. I tried to pet it. Bad idea. It nearly took my hand off. I have a feeling this is going to be a recurring theme.
18:00 - Sunset Aperitivo (and the Art of Spritz): Spritz o'clock! Found a spot with an amazing view and watched the sunset while sipping on a perfectly bitter Aperol Spritz. It was the most perfect moment of the day.
20:00 - Dinner Near the Hostel, and the Search for Karaoke: I tried a new place for dinner and then tried to find karaoke. I failed. I am sad now.
Day 3: Last Day, and the Great Hostel Farewell
- 09:00 - Breakfast Panic and Packing (or, Where Did All My Stuff Go?): Time to pack. Where did the day go? Wait… is that my missing sock? Seriously?
- 10:00 - Goodbye?
- 11:00 - Checking out, hoping to survive (without dropping my bag)
Final Thoughts (aka, The Verdict):
Babila Hostel & Bistrot is… a mixed bag. It's imperfect, chaotic, and not always the cleanest. But it’s also full of life, character, and unexpected moments. The pizza was stellar, the people were cool, and I kind of fell in love with the whole, messy experience. Would I recommend it? Absolutely. Just bring earplugs, a sense of humor, and maybe a hazmat suit for the cat.
Ciao, Milan. Until next time!
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Babila Hostel & Bistrot: Your Milan Secret – Unfiltered & Unbelievably Affordable! (Seriously, Read This!)
Okay, first things first: Is Babila Hostel really as cheap as everyone says? Because come on, Milan!
Cheap? Honey, *cheap* doesn't even BEGIN to cover it! I mean, yeah, you *could* spend a mortgage payment on a room with a questionable view of the Duomo. Or... you could stay at Babila. I booked a dorm bed last year, and I swear, I thought there'd been a mistake on the booking confirmation. It was LESS than dinner for one at a tourist trap restaurant! Seriously, check the prices. They’re probably still criminally low. It's like they accidentally-on-purpose stumbled into an alternate reality of Milanese affordability.
What's the deal with the "Bistrot" part? Is the food actually any good? Because Italian food, right? Gotta be gold standard!
Okay, so the Bistrot… it's… *charming*. Look, I'm not gonna lie, it’s not Michelin-star dining. But it *is* seriously good, honest, home-style Italian. And that's a HUGE win. I mean, after a day of navigating the chaotic beauty that is Milan, a plate of their pasta (and trust me, try the pasta!) is pure, unadulterated bliss. Plus, and this is crucial, the prices are as delightfully shocking as the hostel rates. I’ve eaten there multiple times – sometimes because I'm a cheapskate (true!) and sometimes because I *craved* it. (Also true!) The staff are lovely, even when you mangle your Italian ordering.
Is it… clean? Because hostels can be… well… *hostel-y*.
Okay, real talk. Hostel cleanliness is always a lottery, right? "Will I regret this?" is the mantra. Babila? They actually make an effort. My dorm was… surprisingly decent. The bathrooms were… functional. Not sparkling-model-home-clean, mind you. But definitely not the horror show you sometimes encounter. They seem to have a cleaning crew that actually *cares*. Which, in a hostel, is a minor miracle. Just bring your own shower shoes. (Always a good idea anyway!)
What's the vibe like? Is it a party hostel? Do I need to bring earplugs? (My sanity is precious!)
The vibe? It’s… *chill*. Thank heavens. It's definitely not a raging party hostel. I actually loved that. Don't get me wrong, people socialize. You'll meet other travelers, swap stories over a glass of… something cheap, and probably laugh a lot. But it’s not the kind of place where you'll be kept up all night by someone's epic karaoke session. I actually found it remarkably quiet at night, which – seriously! – is a huge bonus. I’m a light sleeper, and I was able to get proper sleep. I brought earplugs, but honestly, I didn't need them. (Though I always recommend packing them, just in case!)
Talk to me about location. Is it actually *hidden*… and therefore inconvenient? Or is it somewhat accessible?
Okay, so "hidden gem" implies a certain degree of… off-the-beaten-path-ness. And it's true, it's not *right* in the Piazza Duomo. BUT, people, the location is actually brilliant! It's near a Metro station, which is an absolute lifesaver! Milan's Metro system is amazing (and cheap!), and you can get pretty much anywhere you need to go quickly. I remember trying to find it at first – and I did have to rely on Google Maps a bit. It’s not *obvious* from the street, which, honestly, adds to the charm. It’s tucked away, a little oasis of calm in the Milanese madness.
What about the staff? Are they friendly, or do they just want to take your money and move on?
The staff are a total WIN. I mean, real people! And helpful! Seriously, I had one of those epic travel fails (lost my phone, of course) and they were SO patient and understanding. They genuinely seem to care. They gave me some good advice on where to look, they let me use their phone to try and contact some people, and they were just… there for me. It felt like they actually wanted me to have a good time, not just empty my wallet. (Which, let’s be real, is a rare and wonderful thing these days!)
Dorm rooms vs. Private Rooms? What's actually worth it?
Okay, this is a totally personal call. I’ve only experienced the dorm rooms, and honestly, for the price, I can't complain. Sure, you might get a snorer, but hey, welcome to hostel life! Private rooms, if you can afford them, are probably even nicer, especially if you value your own space. But if you are on a budget like me, stick with the dorms. They’re perfectly acceptable! And if you can get a room with a window that gets sun? Score!
Any major downsides? Like, anything?
Hmm… downsides… Okay, let me think hard. This is me really struggling. The stairs might be a bit of a hike if you're on a higher floor and hauling a giant suitcase. Just a warning! Okay, maybe a tiny bit of noise from the street at night, if you're a super light sleeper. And, well… the Wi-Fi wasn't always the strongest. (But hey, Milan! Look up from your phone and enjoy the freakin’ city!). And… that’s pretty much it! Honestly, for the price, the location, and the overall experience, I'm still trying to find something *major* to complain about. I can't!
Tell me about the BEST thing to eat at the Bistrot. Because priorities!
Okay, this is crucial. Listen up! Their pasta dishes are legendary. I am talking *mouth-watering* pasta. Seriously, I think I ate pasta every single day I was there. But here’s the insider secret: Order the Cacio e Pepe. Simple, classic, perfectly executed. It's pure comfort food bliss. I am literally drooling right now thinking about it. Just get it. Thank me later. (And tell them I sent you!) Book Hotels Now
