Spent my last night in Rome alone after my friend went home, and the Yellow was the best place to be. Lovely, friendly people - one of the better places I stayed at during my travels of Italy. I had a great time on the pub crawl! Now back home in NZ, mourning for life again in Roma!

The Yellow was right near Termini (the train station) which was great because we took the train in from Venice and out to Paris. The day we left, the staff at the Yellow let us store our stuff. The location isn't the best though, it's about a 5minute walk to the nearest Metro stop. The restaurants around are pricey and not great. However, you could walk to all the tourist sites. We walked to Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Coliseum, Roman Forum. They aren't short walks though. The area wasn't sketchy but there's just not too much around so it was a bit empty.

The hostel itself was fine. I didn't experience the CRAZY social part of it, like some people talked about but that's because there was 6 of us and we were in a 6-bed room. I could tell that it's pretty social though. There's a beer-pong room and a bar, 'nuff said. Noise wasn't a problem for us because we were in our own room. The showers were clean, had a handy above head rack to put your towel. The toilets were fine, nothing to write home about. Instead of toilet paper, they have these tissue like kinds, which work just fine but was different. We had a sink in our room but there are also sinks outside.

The staff was funny because they seemed a bit loopy but other than that, they were helpful with whatever you asked. Not entirely welcoming or anything, but just kind of there if you had anything to say.

The pillows were kind of problematic as in some were extremely lumpy. I also think I got a spider bite on my eye while I was sleeping because I woke up one morning and my eye was swollen, but I'm sure that was just fluke. On our checkout day, we were running a bit late since it's hard to organize the schedules of 6 people, and the staff people were kind of like... you guys need to hurry up if you want your deposit. Which is understandable, but kind of odd since we weren't even late yet, just rushing.

Anyhow, good place if you want a social atmosphere, meet people or if you just don't care. Not the best place if you're looking for quiet or to be in the midst of the action.

I chose The Yellow because my friend recommended it and I read many good reviews. It was nice, but next time I'll stay someplace else.

Pros: It is very clean. The wire drawer lockers under the bed are large enough to fit my roller suitcase and travel overnighter. The linens are clean and pressed (though they are not soft and towel is not included). The mattress was clean and pillow seemed nice but I woke up everyday with a neck ache. The ensuite has a separate room for the shower stall, and a separate room for the toilette and sink which was really convenient.

Cons: I had a window facing the street and it was REALLY noisy all night & morning. They have 3 computers, but 1 was always out of order, there was always a line to use them, and once I got seated I was never able to log in (another guy had problems too, it depends on how the receptionist types in your passport information as your password). There was a hair dryer in the sinkroom but it was broken. No more breakfast. No kitchen.

Location: 5 blocks from Termini train station. The location is on the "nicer" side of the train station, but that doesn't really matter since everything you will visit requires that you pass through the "not so nice" side. (a friend and I were followed by some scummy looking guys when walking back to our hostels at 10:30pm).

Price: I paid 45USD for a 6 bed ensuite

I chose this hostel over the Alessandro because I had read 2 bad reviews. On my trip I met many people staying there and regret that I had not booked my stay there instead. The Alessandro is just as clean as The Yellow, is cheaper, includes plenty of food (pasta & pizza), has a huge kitchen, vending machines, a large TV room, large computer room, is closer to the train station, and has awesome maps!

If you decide to do any of the Romeing tours, make sure to call to confirm, they did not show up on my first day and I heard they will not do a tour unless there is at least 3 people. Also their prices have changed and the website information is unreliable (prices & times).

Beware of your roommates. I didn't bother locking up my toothbrush and shampoo and found that the girls I stayed with stole my shower rag (gosh that's just iew, for all she knows I could wipe my butt with that thing). Bring ear plugs (the girls brought guests in late at night and talked until 5am).

They do not let you to your room early even if it is unoccupied, but they offer luggage storage which is in an unattended open room and at your own risk.

The Yellow is your typical hostel with a few added extras and welcome delights! It is a fun, youthful place with plenty of options for historical walking tours or pub crawls, both available right at the front desk. The dorm rooms are clean and bright. The unisex bathrooms even have hairdryers – a welcome luxury after many weeks on the road. There is a washing machine and dryer available on the premises or a bigger Laundromat down the road. They have some ‘cheap eat’ deals with the local restaurants’ for simple, quick food. Unfortunately the kitchen was being revamped while we were there so I can’t comment on the kitchen facilities, but they do have free internet – which is always popular so get in line. The beers from the fridge are cheap and cold and the staff are friendly and relaxed. It is a bit of a walk into ‘Rome central’ from ‘The Yellow’ but if you’re happy to wander and take in the sights it’s nicer than the very busy metro (also an experience).