An interview with Giorgia of Bamboo Eco Hostel in Turin

The Bamboo Eco Hostel is a new, eco-friendly hostel in Turin: we met the owner to find out more about this project.

There is a new hostel in Turin: it opened very recently, but thanks to its original and interesting concept it is already well-known across the hostel scene.

We are talking about the Bamboo Eco Hostel, a new property on the same level as the top international hostels, showcasing how, starting from a good idea, it is possible to create a hospitality project with its own personality and functions.

We interviewed Giorgia, the manager of Bamboo Eco Hostel, to understand more about her hostel and the beautiful city where it is located.

Can you tell us how you had the idea of opening a hostel? Was it hard to complete the project, and where there any moments when you wanted to give up?

The idea of opening a hostel in Turin started in 2012, while I was doing a Stage at the Tourism Department of the Piedmont Regional Administration. I always loved traveling, mainly in hostels, and I realized that my city was lacking this kind of accommodation. This is how I started to think about this adventure, about opening a hostel where travellers could feel as if they were in their own home. Clearly, it has been a difficult project: opening a hostel from scratch is not easy, particularly for just one person: I was strongly supported by friends and family along my journey. I felt that I was on the right path, and because of this I never had any thought of giving up: I have always believed in the project.

How did you choose “Bamboo” for the name of the hostel?

The panda is the logo of WWF, and it is an animal that I love and that conveys the idea of the preservation of our planet. I am very attentive when it comes to eco-sustainability and respect for the environment, so the eyes and nose of the panda became the logo of the hostel. The bamboo forests are the pandas’ home and nourishment, and I wanted my hostel to offer a comfortable home and constant nourishment to all its guests. This is why you have towels, breakfast, tea and coffee all day long, all included in the price.

The Bamboo is an eco-friendly hostel, an example to follow. Can you talk about why your property is ecological? What makes your hostel special?

Our property aims at sustainability because, from the very beginning, we restored the building trying to preserve the original materials, and we recycled and reused everything that could be saved and restored. Our windows reduce the dispersion of heat, all our appliances are A- class, the breakfast is organic, the detergents used for washing the floors as well as sheets and towels are ecological.

Our hostel is special because it was created in a building of the beginning of the 20th century, completely restored, where the old and the new mingle seamlessly and in harmony. Every room is customised with different decorations and details that make it unique. The “Fuchsia” room, for example, has a bed decorated by an artist for a Gay Pride, and on the walls and ceiling there is the painting of a butler in his tailcoat, holding the chandelier. In the Green room, the bed’s headboard is made with pallets, and the coat hangers are 2 chairs. In the Blue room, we recently painted a black cat leaning on a fish bowl, looking at the goldfish.

Can you tell us about a funny or weird situation you experienced in the hostel?

We had only been open for a while, in summer 2013, when we welcomed 5 Spanish guys traveling through Italy with backpacks and guitars. Their way to pay for their holidays was busking in the cities they visited. They improvised a small show in the hostel, and paid the full amount of their balance in small coins! That same summer, another Spanish guest asked to stay for one more night, because he wanted to cook traditional Spanish dishes for all the guests: he prepared a tortilla and a fish paella - in the traditional pan that he carried around everywhere he went! It was a truly special night!

Do you organize any events or special activities for the hostel guests?

Not exactly, but we never lack moments when the whole hostel comes together. Most times, there is an atmosphere of sharing, which I have always tried to achieve, and the guests organize dinners or games in the common room. Some students who were staying here while looking for a house became friends, and then roommates. People of all countries and cultures where watching the World Cup together.

What is the best moment to visit Turin? Is there any special event you’d like to recommend?

If you ask me, it is always the best time to come to Turin! :) It is a city full of parks, and green: autumn and spring always have stunning colours. Winter is perfect for mountain lovers, and summer is when the whole city shows its best side, in the sun. Turin is well equipped also in case of rain: it has 18 km of porticos, of which 12.5 are contiguous: they were built so that the royal family could reach the main Square (piazza Vittorio, the biggest portico-surrounded square in Europe) and the banks of the river Po, from the Royal Palace, also on rainy days. Turin has many yearly events: there is something for every taste! In the spring, there is the Torino Jazz Festival, on May 24th there is the festivity of San Giovanni, the patron saint of the city: the streets of the centre are full of people waiting for the fireworks. Autumn is very rich in cultural events, too: Artissima, Paratissima, The Others Art Fair, the Torino Film Festival and the mouth-watering CioccolaTÒ. In November, the city centre is lit up by the “Luci d’Artista” (Artist’s Lights), creating a very evocative atmosphere. Aside from the usual touristic paths, I suggest to try some new itineraries created to show the city from a different point of view, such as Magical Turin, and Underground Turin: they showcase Turin’s’ esoterical tradition and it’s most hidden parts. There is also a Noir Turin tour, which stops in places famous for murders or misteries. If you are not afraid of heights, you can take the hot air balloon at Borgo Dora, and take in the wonderful view of the whole city. If you want something closer to the ground, you can have dinner of the traditional tramways, moving through the city. There really is something for everyone!

We know to choose Bamboo Hostel for a cheap and ecological stay: but what about food and shopping? Can you suggest us any restaurants, markets or shops in Turin that is cheap and eco-friendly?

Let’s start from the markets, a truly unique feature of our city. Turin is one of the few cities where there is a street market every day, in every borough: in many of them you can find some true bargains. The market of Porta Palazzo is the most famous, since it is Europe’s biggest open air market. Every Saturday it is joined by the Balôn, and by the Gran Balôn every second Sunday of the month: it is an antique’s market where you can find unique pieces, vintage objects and great bargains. There are also the Campagna Amica markets, organised by the farmers’ association: here you can taste and buy the most typical products, directly from the producers. There are some nice vintage markets in Carlo Alberto square on the second Saturday of the month, and in Gran Madre square on the third Sunday. The districts of San Salvario and Vanchiglia are the best for some alternative and cheap shopping.

When it comes to restaurants, where to start? Over the last years, many original low-cost restaurants opened in town. A good example is Poormanger: they base all their dishes on a single ingredient: potatoes! The food is great and the prices are low. The Gofreria Piemonteisa is the best place to try the typical street food of Piedmont, such as gofri, le miasse e le miacce. If you want to try a “piola”, the traditional taverns of Turin, I suggest Cianci, with its Piedmontese specialties, in one of the most beautiful squares in the city, Largo IV Marzo. Two environmentally friendly places are Soup&go, in the Quadrilatero area, and the Locanda leggera near Vanchiglia. For a good aperitif, try Scapàdacà, which means “Runaway kid” in the Turinese dialect, and is located in the university area: you can eat a lot, and at small prices! I also recommend and aperitif at the “Imbarchino”, a historical bar on the river, in the heart of the Valentino park: it’s great in spring and summertime!

Turin has a lot to offer: how many days do you think it takes to visit it? Is there any place outside of town that you would like to suggest to our readers?

I think in a week you can really visit the whole city and leave it to the fullest: you will have the time to visit the main museums, wander through the streets of the city, try the local cuisine, sit at the tables of the historical cafes… The best thing to do in Turin is getting lost in the small alleys of the historical boroughs: you will discover some truly unexpected places! If you want to go out of town, I definitely suggest a car trip to the Langhe, to discover the beautiful nature of Piedmont. But there is more than the Langhe: a very scenic place not to miss is the Sacra di San Michele, in Val di Susa, and I also recommend a tour of the Lakes’ District, which includes Lago Maggiore, Lago d'Orta, Lago di Mergozzo, and the mountains of Val d'Ossola.

What do you think of the hostel scene in Italy? Do you see any difference with hostels in Europe, or in the world?

I think the main difference is the type of traveller. The Italian traveller is very different from others, maybe because he isn’t yet used to share rooms or bathrooms. We tried to create a small design hostel that is comfortable and welcoming, where everyone can feel at ease and at home, regardless of their travel habits.

What are the future projects of the hostel? Do you have anything in mind to improve your service?

Our first goal is to expand, to make the place even more comfortable. We would also like to develop a project linked to eco-friendly design, by transforming and re-using what our guests, but not just them, throw away. The hostel would then become a show room where these re-purposed artefacts are showcased and sold: the project is still in a very early stage, but we are working on it and we hope to complete it soon.

We thank Giorgia for her time and her kindness: if after reading this interview you want to find out more about the Bamboo Eco Hostel, we suggest you head to Turin to try it out for yourself! You can book the hostel here below: let us know how you like it!