Honest Review: The Host Hostel in Parma, Italy

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Overview of The Host in Parma: What to Expect

After staying in hostels all over the world, I’ve learned what to look for—cleanliness, comfort, and location are at the top of my list. If you’re new to hostel life or just want some tips on making the most of your stay, check out my guide. 

Now, let’s get into the specifics of The Host in Parma.

Location:
The Host is located on a quiet street in the town center, just a 5-10 minute walk to most of Parma’s landmarks, restaurants, and a nearby supermarket. If you’re arriving by train, it’s about a 15-minute walk from the station, making it easy to explore the city without needing transportation.

Cost:
A night here will cost you around €40 (roughly $45 USD), depending on your dates, which is on the higher end for a hostel, but still more affordable than hotels in the area.

Check-in:
The check-in process is entirely online. There’s no reception desk—instead, you receive a code to let yourself in, which is convenient but might feel a bit impersonal if you’re used to a staffed hostel.

Rooms:
The hostel is small, with just two rooms:

• A 10-bed mixed dorm
• A 6-bed female dorm

The bunk beds have stairs, not ladders – a huge plus!

Pros and Cons of Staying at The Host Hostel in Parma

After a full week at The Host, I’ve gathered my thoughts to help you decide if this is the place for you. 

Spoiler alert: it’s one of the fanciest hostels I’ve stayed at, but it’s not without its quirks. Let’s dive into the pros and cons!

Pros:

• Location, Location, Location: You can’t beat the quiet street in the city center—you’re just a 5-10 minute walk from Parma’s main attractions, restaurants, and a grocery store. Plus, it’s only 15 minutes from the train station. There are several pizzerias and restaurants within a 2-minute walk.

• Comfortable Beds: The beds are heaven by hostel standards. You get steps instead of ladders, which is a game-changer if you’re like me and have to get up in the middle of the night—who has the energy to climb a ladder at 3 AM? Plus, there are privacy curtains, two lights (yes, two!), and plenty of outlets. Bonus: they make your bed every day!

• Lockers: Big enough for all your stuff, and you don’t even need to bring your own lock—another hassle saved. There’s also a cool organizer hanger and even a spot to hang up your clothes. I rented a day-locker for early check-in, which was really convenient.

• Self-Check-In: You use a code for both the front door and your room—no keys to lose! The host is just a Whatsapp message away, and they’re super responsive. Even though there’s no reception desk, they stop by daily, so you still feel their presence.

• Clean and Secure: This place is spotless. In addition to code-protected rooms, there are cameras in the common areas for added security. I felt very safe here.

• Upper-End Hostel: This place is definitely on the fancy side for a hostel. They provide two towels and a bathmat—most hostels make you pay for just one towel, and here, you get three items for free! Each guest gets their own fresh bathmat, which is a small but incredible detail.

• Common Area: There’s a living room, coworking desk, kitchen, and a small patio. The kitchen is fully equipped with a stove, fridge to store your Parmigiano Reggiano, microwave, kettle, and an oven—though I couldn’t quite figure out how to turn it on (I gave up and used the microwave, but the host would’ve helped if I had asked). And if you need a change of scenery, the public library next door has free Wi-Fi and is a great quiet spot to work.

• Extras: Espresso and cookies, plenty of hangers, towel drying racks, and a bath mat for everyone. Honestly, I think about those bath mats every time I stay in a hostel now. There’s also AC, but it wasn’t running when I was there in September. It wasn’t sweltering, but with 10 humans in a room, it got warm pretty fast. I opened a window for a breeze but ended up using my handheld fan and earplugs to block out street noise.

• Ground Floor: Everything is on one level—no hauling your bag up hostel stairs like a mountain climber in training. This is great for people with mobility issues.

• Customer Service Above and Beyond: When I lost my credit card, the host went out of their way to call and arrange for the replacement to be picked up—you don’t get that kind of care everywhere!

Cons:

• A Little Warm: As I mentioned, AC wasn’t running during my stay, which was fine, but the room got a bit warm and, well, stinky with that many people. The windows let in a nice breeze, but also some light street noise. A little fan action would have helped a lot. I’m sure they run the AC during the summer!

• Bathroom Situation: There are two toilets and two showers, but one is in a combined toilet/shower room. If someone’s in there, you’re left with only one toilet and one shower. Also, the shower is tiny, the showerhead slides down, and there’s nowhere to place your soap. Classic hostel problems. The back shower has better water pressure if you’re doing an everything shower (trust me). I only had to wait a couple of times, and never for too long, so it wasn’t a big deal.

• Not a Social Hostel: If you’re hoping to meet tons of fellow travelers, you’ll need to put in some effort. People tend to keep to themselves, and there’s no organized events or common dinner. That said, I make a point to say hello to everyone, so I did meet a few friendly people—including someone I ended up meeting up with in another city. The crowd is more mixed-age, with several travelers in their 30s, 40s, and beyond, so it’s not the usual 20-something backpacker vibe (that’s actually a plus for me).

• Pricey for a Hostel: At €40+ ($45+ USD)  per night, it’s on the pricier end, especially with no breakfast included. Though, personally, I love going out for a cappuccino and cornetto (Italian croissant) in the morning anyway. I also stocked up on yogurt and fruit from the grocery store, which worked out perfectly.

• No Laundry On-Site: There’s no laundry, and since self-service laundromats aren’t allowed in the old town, you’ll have to use a wash-and-fold service nearby, which is more expensive than doing it yourself, or walk 15 minutes to the laundromat.

• Doors Aren’t Quiet: The doors aren’t exactly soft-close, so you’ll hear them when people go in and out. I always bring earplugs and wear them in pretty much every hostel, so it didn’t bother me, but if you’re a light sleeper, earplugs are a must. 

Alternative Options for Where to Stay in Parma

There are two other hostels in Parma, but honestly, their ratings are just meh, and they’re not in the city center, which makes them less convenient. If location and comfort matter to you (and let’s be real, they do), they wouldn’t be my top pick.

However, if you can scrape together some extra euros, I’d recommend staying at this bed and breakfast in the city center. 

It has great reviews, and for around €70 ($77 USD), you get a private room and bathroom—which is a nice step up from hostel life. The price includes breakfast, and the host is super friendly. Bonus points for being pet-friendly, clean, and comfortable. They even have a luggage lift, so no hauling bags upstairs.

Sure, it’s pricier than a hostel, but you’re getting a lot of value for that extra cost!