Hostels are only the best-kept secret. Growing up, I have come to the realization that most people do not know what hostels are. Understanding what a hostel is has altered the way I view travel. Not only are hostels a place to sleep for the night, but they have become the heart of community and activities. It is where I have made friends from around the world and learned about different cultures. Hostels used to get a rather bad rep, but now they are better than ever. There is a myriad of hostels that are safe, clean, and très chic. In this article, you will learn more about how hostels function and the experience of staying in one.
Hostels are (in simplest terms) low-cost, short-term, community-based living spaces for travelers.
At hostels, there are pretty much two options: dorms or private rooms. The dorm room usually consists of multiple bunk beds and you can buy a bed for the night. There could be anywhere from two to eight bunk beds in the room. There is also an option to choose a mixed dorm or an all-female dorm. The all-female dorms are usually a bit more money, but it can be worth it for solo female travelers. The private rooms are most expensive than the dorms, but they can allow full privacy like a hotel room. The only difference is that most private rooms do not have their own bathrooms. The private rooms are also nice for sharing with a friend or significant other while traveling. If you are going for budget options then I would recommend the mixed dorm. There are many safety precautions that ensure your safety in a room like this. Many hostels have curtains covering the bed for privacy and lockers to safely store your belongings while you sleep. The dorm rooms have a great community as you make friends with other people in the room with you.
One of my favorite parts about hostels is the kitchens. If you are looking for a hostel, I recommend you get one with a shared kitchen. If you are budget traveling, then cooking your own food is a great money-saving alternative to eating out. I love buying food at local markets and taking it back to the hostel to cook. I have found people to be very respectful toward the kitchen space. Almost everyone cleans up their mess and is respectful about not touching other people’s food. There are cleaners that come by and tidy up the kitchen as well, ensuring it does not get too dirty. Another reason I love the shared kitchen is that it acts as a social space in the hostel. I have made many friends by just hanging out in the kitchens and cooking with others. A good amount of hostels also have restaurants or bars as well with discounts for guests.
Plenty of the hostels that I have stayed at include a multitude of activities to bring the guests together—this is what makes hostels so lively. I have stayed at hostels with movie nights, yoga, painting, game nights, and more. These events are a great way to meet other people and make friends. Some hostels even have introduction nights where everyone gets a free drink while they introduce themself. Plenty of them have pools and hot tubs as well, making for a very relaxing stay.
Hostels are constantly cleaned throughout the week. These businesses depend on good reviews from customers so they make sure to keep the hostels tidy. You may run into a messy roommate here or there, but overall, people tend to keep to themselves. Even if your roommate is a bit of a slob, rest assured that your bed is cleaned and maintained. There is a maintenance staff that will clean the common rooms, floors, and bathrooms daily and clean beds and bedrooms before new guests arrive.
Hostels attract a large community of backpackers! After staying in a variety of hostels, you will uncover that they are filled with young people seeking adventure and community. Most people I meet at hostels are very friendly and want to meet new people. It is a very social environment where you do not need to feel shy about making new friends. Most people are in their 20s or 30s, venturing out to explore the world. Most hostels have an age limit and an age cap, meaning at most places you will not find children or the elderly staying at these places.
You never know who you will wind up going on an adventure with. I have danced the night away with guys from Europe and ziplined through the rainforests with new friends from Australia. You will meet the most interesting people—the kind of people books are written about. Hostelling will open your horizon to a world of new and exciting people you wouldn’t meet back home.
YES, YES, YES! Make sure to read reviews before booking a hostel stay, but for the most part, hostels are very safe. They have security measures in place to ensure that you will be okay during your stay. There are also areas to lock up your belongings while you sleep so you do not have to worry about items getting stolen. The trust that has formed around the backpacking community is truly great. People are looking out for one another ensuring that people enjoy their backpacking experience. Hostels have staff present 24/7 and have security cameras implemented in public spaces. Unfortunately, petty theft is always a problem, but as long as you are smart and lock away your goods, you will not need to worry about that.
At the end of the day, hostels are one of the most fun aspects of travel. Hostels have a great community centered around spending time with one another. Hotels hardly ever accommodate a tremendous social setting whereas hostels are a hub of social interaction. You will meet friends from all around the world in a hostel that you would never meet in a hotel.
At the end of the day, hostels are not for everyone, but I would encourage everyone to at least give them a chance because they have the power to change your travel experience forever.