I recently visited Rome and had the unfortunate experience of staying at the Freestyle Hostel. Unless you are EXTREMELY strapped for cash, do not stay at this dump! The only reason we managed to stick it out was because we had already paid, and had met a nice Australian couple who was staying there.

The place is falling apart (paint peeling from the walls, bits of wall falling off). The bathroom was so revolting that I didn't shower for the 3 days I was in Rome. The shower was growing mold and the sink was covered in some kind of green and black gunk. The water had a bad odor and it was extremely cramped. Although it advertised a "free meal" we still had to pay if we wanted to eat there.

Let me give you some background about myself. I have worked as a paramedic for over three years, and I have seen some pretty horrendous places. This hostel ranks among one of the worst. Calling this place a hellhole would be a compliment.

For the first two days, there was no running water in the only bathroom. The electricity would go out every five minutes or so. They cram about 35 people into a hostel that is smaller than 900 sq ft. The place is poorly maintained and insalubrious. The ONLY bathroom had several patches of mold growing everywhere. I really do not know the last time they cleaned the place. The kitchen is dirty and dingy. The neighborhood is unsafe and seedy. Despite having already paid for three nights, I walked out after the second night. The morning I left, there was a gas leak. I ran. I eventually ended up reporting this place to the police.

The upside: I met some really nice people. Two of the staff members were nice (excluding Kumar). I also met two people with whom I ended up spending the rest of the week traveling. I really think we originally bonded over our mutual hatred of the hostel.

I am really not a picky guest, but I don't think a clean environment with running water is too much to ask for.

My advice: avoid this place. Even sleeping at Termini station would be a better choice.

I stayed at this hostel with a friend, first of all we were met by a rude man who didn't care about us. The next is that there are not enough lockers per person. The beds all sqeak really badly and the matress could only be slept on one side as it had a indent which made it only able to sleep on that one side. It is in a bad neighbour hood, my friend witness a guy shoot up next to the hostel. The shower isn't clean and the two bathrooms for 33 or so people are full with mould. The breakfast was horrible. Dinner was reasonable yet there was a 3metre by 2metre room which had to fit all the people in as you cannot eat in the rooms.

Basically the train station would be cleaner and better...don't stay there, and all the people in our room agree with everything that is written on this page. Thats 11 people...