Hostel Brikette Positano: A Review

Positano — Amalfi Coast — Italy

Hostel Brikette is currently the only hostel in Positano, Amalfi Coast, Italy. Located high up in the village, it’s got a stunning aerial view of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Imagine waking up in the mornings to loll out of bed and onto the balcony to take in that dual mountain-sea air. Yeah.

I stayed at Hostel Brikette between October 20-24, 2023, just before its season closure on October 28th. The hostel is family-run, with the owner manning the bar and front desk the entire time I was there.

Overall, I had a peaceful time at the hostel, and I met some cool people to hang out with. Given that it was almost season’s end, there weren’t too many others around, and I personally liked it that way. After the girls in my dorm left, I had the entire room to myself for two nights!

Read on for more information (plus tips and tricks!) on the entire process, from checking in to out.

Price: 300.40 EUR including taxes

Room: 8-bed female dorm, no balcony (upgraded to 6-bed female dorm with balcony)

Duration: 4 nights (October 20-24, 2023.)

Other names: Ostello Brikette, Brikette Hostel (Google Maps)

*All photos by Lonely Girl, Lonely World unless otherwise stated.

Reservation & Check-In

Reservations for Hostel Brikette can be made direct or through Hostelworld and similar sites. In this case, I highly recommend booking direct for the free breakfast (!!!). For the budget solo traveler, this is a no-brainer. Positano is an über-expensive place, and you’ll want to save money wherever you can.

Plus, booking direct is usually cheaper (though keep in mind that some hostels offer rooms available only through third-party apps, so do your research beforehand).

I booked a female 8-bed dorm with no private balcony. I figured since there’s a common terrace/patio anyway, I could forego this extra bit of money. Luckily, I got upgraded (see “The Dorm” below).

Before I arrived, the hostel sent me an email asking what time I’d be there. If I arrived late, I would need to use their after-hours check-in procedure. Other emails detailed how to choose my free breakfast and complimentary evening drink. The hostel uses a Digital Assistant to provide further in-depth information on local attractions, transportation, and routes.

I arrived around 8 PM on my check-in date. The owner, Peter, was still up, and he gave me my sheets and showed me to my dorm, as well as lugged my 29” suitcase up the stairs for me.

Tip: Book direct for free breakfast and complimentary evening drinks.

Tip: Bring only carry-on luggage or a backpack to Positano. If you’re only going for a day trip, bring even less. I brought checked luggage because I’d attended some dance programs in the weeks beforehand, but Positano is NOT a place you want to stay at with anything larger than a duffel bag. Those stairs? Killer.

The Price

300.40 EUR for 4 nights is still expensive by hostel standards (and it was the off season, too!). I spent around the same amount for 7 nights at Generator Berlin Alexanderplatz.

Positano is going to be higher-priced no matter what. When I checked in, I also had to pay a 20 EUR cash deposit (10 EUR of which was returned to me after check-out). I’m not entirely sure what this fee was for, to be honest. I’d run out of cash, so it cost another fee to use the local ATM.

The Dorm

I got a pleasant surprise when I saw my room. Peter brought me to a 6-bed dorm with a private balcony facing the sea. I wondered for a while if I’d mistaken my reservation, but after hearing him say it was the slow season, I realized Peter had upgraded me for no extra charge (and it probably saved the cleaners the hassle of tidying up one bed in an otherwise empty 8-bed dorm).

There were already 3 girls living in the dorm, so it was a bit messy, as hostels are. The bathroom was tiny but relatively clean. Keep in mind that you’ll probably get sand on the floor in a place like Positano, and on rainy days, there might be wet dirt as well. The cleaners do a good job, though (thank you!).

There were 3 bunk beds, and I chose a top one for the first two nights. After that, I moved to a lower once someone had left because, my gosh, those stepladders HURT! I held my breath every time I climbed up or down them. They’re narrow and not ergonomically friendly at all, spreading the impact very unevenly across the bottom of your feet.

One day I got a glimpse inside the 8-bed dorm across the hall, and I noticed their stepladders were much wider and more comfortable. Hopefully they’ll upgrade all the beds to the same.

The private balcony, on the other hand, was a beautiful spot. There’s a simple table and 2 chairs out there. The first 2 mornings were rather grey, but the weather soon picked up, and I finally got to see the Positano everyone raves about. It’s also a cute and serene place to have your dinner at if you don’t want to eat out.

Other amenities include linen and sheets, free WiFi, and common shower areas (male/female) with private stalls. There’s no laundry service available. Check out my article [coming soon] for where to do laundry and other tips and tricks.

The Terrace/Patio

Hostel Brikette has a really nice patio for socializing, eating, and generally relaxing in the sun. In fact, Peter told us one of their common “complaints” is that it can get too social sometimes! When I went in October, there weren’t too many others around, so oftentimes I had the entire deck to myself. This is where I also chose to have my breakfast when the weather allowed, which Peter kindly brought out for me.

Pots of marigolds line the railings, and fairy lights are strung up along the eaves.

On a sunny day, it feels amazing to kick off your shoes and tread barefoot on the floor. I only wish the roof over the picnic table was more leak-proof; then I could keep on reading or working in the midst of drizzles.

I’ll let the images speak for themselves here.

Free Breakfast & Complimentary Drinks

I got free breakfast each morning by booking direct. Every night, an automated email would come in asking me to select the next morning’s meal.

Breakfast options:

eggs combo: eggs with 3 sides: bacon, ham, tomatoes, mushroom, toast, cheese, or beans (regular 12.50 EUR)
yogurt parfait: yogurt, granola, fruit (regular 10 EUR)
veggie toast (regular 10.50 EUR)

I didn’t try the veggie toast because I severely needed meat protein in my diet, but the eggs combo was pretty good. The yogurt parfait was swell too, but it didn’t leave me as satisfied in its serving as the eggs combo.

Still, considering the amount it would’ve cost to buy these meals outside or even independently of the booking, the free breakfast from booking direct is absolutely worth it.

My meal plan also included daily complimentary evening drinks.

Drink options:

glass of white wine
glass of red wine
Peroni beer, regular (330 mL)
Nastro Azzurro beer, regular (330 mL)

Of course, you can always forego the drink. You technically have to order by 8 PM through their online form, or you won’t get one regardless, but the owner made an exception for me one night.

There are other food options available you can order, such as French toast, smoothies, and coffee. These you’ll have to pay for out of pocket. There’s a free water dispenser at the front desk.

The Service

As with any establishment, you’ll find positive and negative reviews. I had a pretty good time at the hostel, and Peter attended to my needs very well.

I was actually sick at the time, and with my endless coughing, it was a secret to no one. A routine I’d developed on the road was to ask the front desk of each hostel to fill my water bottle up with hot water, since I’d brought my own tea bags to use. I especially needed this herbal remedy once I got sick. Peter was equally generous with my daily requests for hot water. This, combined with the free room upgrade and other little exceptions he made for me, contributed to a very nice experience.

In the early afternoons, cleaners came to tidy up the dorms and showers. They did a good job, especially with the bathroom (maintaining a clean bathroom is the guests’ responsibility too, so be mindful of that).

Just don’t expect 5-star hotel service. One guest came up to a girl and I to complain about the lack of an ironing board. Afterwards, the girl and I just looked at each other. If you’re booking budget accommodation, be prepared for budget accommodation. As someone who doesn’t even use an ironing board in daily life, I didn’t see any problem with it, but I understand it’s a necessity for some people. Be clear about what you’re willing to sacrifice in comfort and amenities for budget accommodation before you book.

Tip: Be polite, be respectful, be reasonable. You’ll get way more out of any experience if you do your research beforehand.

The One Major Downside

Hostel Brikette is located right next to the major highway (Via G. Marconi) that runs through Positano. That means cars, motorcycles, and tourist buses galore will be trundling right under your nose all day, every day. For me, the discord between viewing that beautiful sea before my eyes and the less-than-pleasant ambience of rumbling motors in my ears was extremely jarring.

Especially in the summer, you’ll want to leave the balcony door open at night to let in the cool breeze, but I realized after several restless nights that the only time the highway calms down is between 1 AM - 7 AM.

If you’re someone who values quiet over cost-efficiency, try one of the hotels below.

Tip: Go during the off season to reduce overcrowding (this can decrease the chances of noise pollution and also bed bugs and littering in general).

The Other Major Downside (Depending…)

I lied… There is one other thing you should be aware of when booking here. The hostel is one of the highest-located accommodations in Positano. Theoretically, it’s a 16-minute walk to the beach, but on the way back up, that’ll more than likely turn into a 30-minute walk or even 45 minutes. Take a look at those stairs; they’re not a joke.

There’s a bus that can take you up the main road instead (which I found out about too late).

Otherwise, be prepared for burning quads and an even more burnt-out soul. It does make you wonder if that $1000+/night tower by the sea is worth it.

If hiking up thousands of stairs several days in a row isn’t your thing, consider making Positano a day trip instead.

Transportation

There’s a Sita bus stop right in front of the minimarket (Alimentari Di Giovanni De Lucia) on the corner, a couple minutes away from Hostel Brikette. You can buy bus and luggage tickets in the store. Trek further down the village to find a taxi area/parking lot. You can also arrange your own Daytrip carpool, though I had an iffy experience with them on the way there.

Another option is to buy a ferry ticket to/from Salerno, a neighbouring village. From there, you can take the train from Stazione Salerno to/from Naples, Sorrento, or any other available destination.

On my departure day, I boarded the Sita bus to Sorrento and bought a 4 EUR subway ticket that took me all the way to Napoli Centrale Station (if I’d known it was that accessible, I would’ve done the same on the way in too).

Also, a refurbished airport in Salerno is coming soon!

Checking Out

Check-out is by 10 AM, though you’re welcome to stay in the common areas longer to wait for your ride.

When you check out, bring your sheets and linens downstairs to dump in the laundry bin and return your key card to reception. If time permits, you can still have your free breakfast before you go.

Conclusion

There are people who like it, and then there are people who LOVE it. One of the girls I met is so infatuated with Hostel Brikette, she started making plans to come back and possibly work there for a season. (If you do work for them, they’ll provide accommodation in return.)

I didn’t fall in love with the place like she did, but the experience got better and better as the days went on, and the sun actually came out. The building itself is older and definitely simpler than the hotels nearby, but its charm comes from noticing the finer details — from the fairy-light flower wreath in the hallway that only turns on at night to the paper lanterns swaying in the breeze on a warm day. Let’s not forget the intimate settings for meeting new friends. These are the details that make Hostel Brikette unique.

Positano has a reputation for glamour, but its true beauty lies in small-town charm like that of Hostel Brikette. Recommend? Yes.