Hostel alternative: Monastery stays (Italy, mostly)

I couldn't find any posts about it here, so wanted to share a neat alternative to typical hostel/hotel stays. I'm not affiliated with this website, just wanted to share.

This is a website that arranges rooming in vacant rooms in monasteries and convents. Some are more luxurious, but most seem to be fairly basic rooming at a good price.

Last year I went to Italy (not bicycle touring, just regular tourism) and on my sister's suggestion I booked a stay in a Convent on the outskirts of Florence. I had my own room, my own restroom and showers. Compared to the "Ostello Bello Firenze" hostel that I stayed at a few nights prior, I believe it was roughly the same price or even slightly cheaper, and the room was roughly the same size but didn't have five other dudes crammed inside. And while hostels do offer good opportunities to meet and socialize with other travelers… well, you are again, crammed in a room with five other dudes. Often at least one of them is going to be snoring very loudly, and at least in my case there's a chance that one of them coughs nonstop and then infects you with Covid, totally ruining the trip.

So if you want a break from camping, want cheaper accommodations, but also want a little privacy and an interesting setting, it's worth considering.