From sacred walls to scalable ambition: How Babila Hostels is redefining Milanese hospitality

In the heart of Milan, a stone’s throw from San Babila square, stands a building with a story. Once a 19th-century chapel, it’s now the soul of Babila Hostel — a testament to what happens when bold ambition meets thoughtful design.

Following the positive reception of their first hostel, Babila Hostel expanded by opening a second property, Bovisa Urban Garden, in Milan and a boutique hotel called The Place in Arezzo, Tuscany.

This is where most growth stories hit a wall. How do you scale operations across multiple properties — each with its own unique character and guest mix, from single travelers to large groups — while keeping your teams aligned? And how do you ensure the technology you rely on simplifies that complexity, rather than adds to it?

Babila knew they needed a technology partner that was as dynamic and forward-thinking as they were.

With Cloudbeds, Babila found the operational backbone they needed to scale without sacrificing control or their unique spirit. 

Each team uses data to keep operations running smoothly and profitably. The front desk team depends on daily financial reports to manage transactions and reconcile cash flow between shifts. Management reviews monthly occupancy reports and departure lists to coordinate with housekeeping and track related expenses. Meanwhile, the revenue team leverages ADR and other financial reports to analyze past performance, compare year-over-year trends, and forecast future growth.

Beyond the reporting, the platform’s ease of use is a significant benefit for the Babila team.

“Cloudbeds is very easy to use,” says Stefano Bianchi, Operations Manager at Babila Hostel “Everything is structured, very easy to learn.”

This ease of use does more than speed up onboarding; it empowers their people. In a powerful testament to the platform’s value, one former employee moved to Buenos Aires and instantly landed a job at another hotel — specifically because they used Cloudbeds and he could hit the ground running.

For Babila Hostels, growth is no longer a complex challenge. With Cloudbeds, they have expanded their portfolio thanks to an operational foundation that is solid enough to support their biggest ambitions.

As they look to the future — more properties in Milan, perhaps expanding across Italy — they know they have more than a PMS. They have a partner dedicated to freeing their ambition and ensuring their incredible vision continues to grow without limits. 

Asked if they would recommend Cloudbeds, the answer is simple and clear, “Honestly, yes. We would.”