Hotel Sampaoli

Perched above a busy street near the San Lorenzo Market, the one-star Hotel Sampaoli has a fun hostel-esque atmosphere—with rates to match. The building, which dates back to 1011, shows signs of wear, but rooms are comfortable and the vibe is friendly.

The Sampaoli’s 12 bright, eclectic rooms accommodate one to four guests and have yellow walls, wrought iron bed frames and flea-market furniture. There is no air conditioning, but rooms are outfitted with fans, as well as free Wi-Fi and small televisions with DVD players. We loved the upper-floor rooms for their wooden beam and terracotta ceilings (ask ahead).

Though the plain white bathrooms are not big on style, they are large and clean. Some feature boxed-in showers, while others have Italian-style drains. Rooms that share bathrooms have small in-room sinks and mirrors.

A common fridge and coffee machine are available for guest use, and the Sampaoli has an extensive DVD library and a book exchange. We also recommend checking out the yummy Greek restaurant downstairs.

Breakfast is available upon request, for an additional fee. Note that the hotel is located on the third floor of a building without an elevator.