Eco Hostel Floreale

Eco Hostel Floreale is a true experience in sociability. I showed up with no expectations, having decided at the last minute to tag along with some friends. I must admit I was a little panicked at first because the location was not what I expected. This has more to do with my own misconceptions about the Neapolitan region (it is dirty, a little wild and deserted, and very authentic and unforgettable) than the hostel itself. It turns out it is adequately situated in Ercolano: a 15 minute walk from the station (the train to Naples then takes 35 minutes), 20 min from the airport, it allows to travel both towards Naples and destinations in the other direction (Pompeii, Amalfi...). I don't believe staying in Naples would necessarily have been better (it depends on how important it is to you to be in the city at night, as getting from Naples back to Ercolano after hours means an expensive cab ride. Do keep in mind you will meet people at the hostel itself). If you are used to traveling in hostels (I am not), you know not to expect the comfort you would find in a 4-star hotel. As long as that is the case, you will find little to complain about this place (after all, this is me, posh traveler, Princess and the pea, giving this place a 5-star rating). It is not exactly clean, but I would say it is as clean as a place housing 50 regular beachgoers can be (the cleaning lady is there most days, so they certainly try... there was a case of someone clogging the shower drain with what looked like every hair on Rapunzel's head, but it was handled very fast). It is neither more nor less comfortable than a lot of other hostels: it gets very hot in the summer but with windows open and fans available in the rooms, it is absolutely bearable (try to ask for a bottom bunk if you can, heat travels up). Doors don't lock so intimacy is nonexistent, but there are lockers for your valuables. Some of the equipment is a bit dodgy (missing toilet seats, the bikes are free-service but all broken), but none of it really made an impact on my stay. Now, on to the true, undeniable perks. This is truly a remarkably sociable place. Of course, a hostel is what guests make of it, and not every guest is a peach, but I found a very varied, talkative, eager to engage crowd over the seven days of my stay. The hostel is designed to facilitate hanging out: the downstairs area has tables and chairs, and it is very rare not to find people talking there. There is a kitchen where you can cook your own food. There is also a bar, a great addition (and smart business move!): you can get coffee in the morning and drinks at night (until about 1 am). Not having to go on supermarket runs for drinking is a blessing. There is also a first-floor terrace and a roof area (which closes at midnight). The staff is one of the best features: special thanks to Cristiano (the well-traveled founder/owner: ask him about the origins of the hostel). One night, members of the staff broke into an improvised music se