Lion University & Youth Hostel Milano

I have no idea how this hostel have over 4 average rating, which made me chose this hostel in the first place. I recently stayed at this hostel in Milan, and it was by far the worst hostel I've ever encountered. The beds were crammed together like sardines, making it impossible to get a good night's sleep. The check-in process was a nightmare, with endless formalities and paperwork. The place itself is old and dirty, with stains on the floor and walls. Hygiene seemed like an afterthought. I even hesitated to drink tap water late at night due to the overall cleanliness concerns. Do yourself a favor and avoid this hostel. Milan has better options that won't leave you regretting your choice.

⛔️DO NOT BOOK AFTER 8 PM THROUGH BOOKING.COM!⛔️ THEY WILL NOT REFUND YOU. After a long ride from Munich and making a reservation at 11:27 PM without noticing their check-in policy, upon arrival a little after 12 AM in the middle of the night I cannot be checked-in due to their check-in policy is 2:30PM-8 PM, and my reservation was cancelled. I said fair, and I looked for a different hotel. It was late, I should have checked their policy beforehand, and probably should have planned my trip a little bit better. But what was weird was the employee, the receptionist who attended me, works in Lion’s hostel desk. They’re partners, because after 8 PM and Ostello Old Milano doesn’t work and has no reception at this time, Lion’s Hostel employees manage their data, reservations, and guests. I didn’t think much of it at the time till later on. When I woke up after a good night of sleep I noticed something when I checked that reservation, they have a no refund policy for cancellation! I already paid for it! So I immediately contacted Booking.com customer service, explained about my situation, asked if I’m getting my money back because it was cancelled automatically from the looks of it and from my understanding with Lion’s hostel employee. They said no, I am not getting back my €127.80. The reason being the cancellation is “no show up”. No show up? That’s false! I interacted with a hostel employee that night. They said the only thing they can do is to call them and come back to me with an update. So I waited for a several minutes, and the update was they will not give back the money because I didn’t show up. So booking.com sent them an email, and I walked back to that desk. After some exchanges and arguments, a Lion’s hostel employee named M. said that Ostello Old Milano has a back office that’s not located within the building of this hostel, and they handle all of this and there is nothing he can do because he's "not an employee there". And my case should be resolved with Booking.com and because of their system it was cancelled automatically as soon as the clock hit 00:00. I called them back, had a representative named J. on my phone, asked him about the email that the previous representative sent to which he replied Ostello Old Milano doesn’t wanna give me back my money because I didn’t show up, and I had him talk to M. with my phone. After M.'s explaination, J sounded like “yeah this case is gonna take a while” so he tried contacting the office without response. He returned and explained that my only option is for him to send them an email and explain to them about my case, and hope I get it back. So I talked to M., he said he’s gonna try and help me and let them know that I was here, his colleague who I interacted that night when I arrived can vouch for me and is gonna help me get my money back to the best of his ability. So I waited 4 days, without update. I called Booking customer service back, was told that they replied and still do not wanna give up the full amount of €127.80 cancellation fee. So I told them to trace back the calls on November 17 and listen to my conversation with J., and M., and that THEY should refund me instead. After a while a representative from the Philipines which I didn't think much of it till later on, returned to me and said that his senior doesn’t wanna trace back the calls because of “too many cases”, then he corrected himself and she cannot trace back my calls because J. is in a different country and call center, and I’m not allowed to talk to the senior. I later had to email them screenshots of my activity on Google maps to prove them. I have no idea how they’re still in business, no one works at their desk at night and a different nearby hostel manage their reservations and guests. They don't wanna give me back my money, despite the many attempts and contacts from Booking.com. Despite the communications from the employees of Lion’s hostel. Do not go to this hostel, they engage in bad business and have no ethics. You’re not a guest, you’re a moving wallet.