What is a hostel?
Many have asked me what is a hostel? Or they will ask, isn’t there an age limit for a hostel?
Let me start by saying that Hostels are not for every travelers. If you are squimish about sharing your space, then the hostel stay is not for you. But for the rest of us! Here is a overview of what a hostel is and what a hostel is not!
I think in many people’s minds the 1970s hostels were for hippy-type, drug smoking, backpackers. I tell those that ask, to think of a large size college dorm with 3-4 sets of bunk beds in the room and a bathroom down the hall .
Now let me be clear just like college dorm rooms, hotels and air bnbs, all hostels around the world are different from each other. No two hostels are the same, even in the same city.
And most importantly, you should do your research as you would any hotel or accommodation to see what the reviews and ratings are saying.
Before Booking – Research Ratings and Reviews on the Hostel
Hostels just as with hotels, can be varied. hostels also can be horrible, dirty, but for the most part, I have stayed in some swanky, beautiful and fun hostels. I look for clean and safe. And when I say clean, I mean the sleeping spaces, bedding and certainly the bathroooms. I guess I have been lucky, as I am an old momma, but have had a great time and met many friends in hostels all around the world. Also, because I am a momma, I usually stay in all-female dorm room. But again, that’s an individualized choice.
There have been quite a few times the stay at our hostels provided just as much entertainment, socializing and fun as our actual trip. Click here for my favorite hostels I have stayed in
A few years ago, when traveling with my then older teens, the hostel provided a level of socialization that you cannot get in most hotels. The ability to meet travelers, backpackers and digital nomads of all ages from all over the globe. The ability to take hostel food tours, city walks and small group tours was so much fun with other young tourists.
Note: Some hostels have an age limit for children, so do your research as each hostel unique with its own set of rules.
How to find a great hostel when you travel?
The leading global online website for finding hostesl around the world is from Hostel World. You can also read about hostels from travel bloggers and a few Trip Advisor reviews.
Once I decide on a hostel, I usually make my reservation on the hostel’s actual website. But if not, you can always make your reservation on Hostel World or with the hostel directly. .
Here is my list of things that most hostels provide:
Bed
1. A Clean, safe bed to sleep. In a hostel you pay per bed, not per room as in a hotel.
Bedrooms are either all female, all male, coed or you can also get a private bedroom usually at a slightly a higher price.
Sleeping rooms can have 4 or up to 20 or more beds in a room. Some hostel beds have a pull curtain to give you a bit of privacy, but some do not, it all depends.
Lockers
2. Lockers or space to secure your belongings – bring your own lock or purchase a lock at the front desk.
Shared Bathrooms
3. Many larger hostels have more than one floor of bedrooms and also have more than one bathroom, which has showers, toilets and sinks. Again, think of a college shared dorm room. Many hostels are similar to mini hotels. Many rooms for sleeping and many showers and toilet facilities.
Free or Low Cost Hostel Breakfast
4. Most have free or low cost breakfast each morning. Sometimes your belly is so full from our breakfast it really holds us until dinner.
Common Room & Social Area
5. Hostels usually have a common area when people watch television, play board games, sit at the bar or just hang out with other hostel guests.
Kitchen for Cooking
6. Most hostels have a kitchen where you can, save a few dollars, by shopping at a grocery store and you are able to prepare your own meals instead of eating out each day.
Private Bedrooms & Bathroom
7. Hostels usually have a few private bedrooms, you can book upon registration where you can have a bit more privacy than in a shared dorm room.
I usually book a private hostel room when there are no female only dorm rooms available. Or the hostel may be almost sold our be only one dorm bed available, then I will opt for a private room, especially if I am with my daughter.
But for the most part, my daughter have enjoyed our stay in many hostels around the world, we met so many people from every walk of life.
Travelers From All Around the World
The best thing about hostels is meeting people old, young, men and women from around the world. I have even met families with kids that stay in the hostel while traveling abroad. The whole idea of hostels is to sleep, be social, meet people and not spend a fortune doing so.
HOSTEL ACTIVITIES INCLUDE, BUT NOT LIMITED TO:
- Walking Tours
- Bar Crawls
- Karaoke
- Hostel prepared dinners
- Cocktail hours
- Game Night
- Sightseeing Tours
- Trivia Night
- Plus Many Other Social Events
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