Finding a cheap place to stay is important to an ardent traveler – no one wants to spend all their money on expensive hotels when they’re on a shoestring budget, and hostels are usually the cheapest option. Hostels are also important to travelers because they are a good place to meet other travelers. Common rooms, kitchens, and dorms are some of the easiest places to make friends and meet travel companions.
Hostels provide a lot of things for a traveler: social interaction, a place to stay, a kitchen, and a lot of travel information (from guests and staff). They are an important part of a backpacker’s journey and it is important to pick a hostel that best suits you, so you get the most out of each hostel and don’t have a bad experience.
I’ve spent hours looking for the perfect hostel and the truth is there is no such thing. A good hostel can be bad if it has bad people in it and a bad hostel can be the best one of your life if it is filled with amazing people. You can never know for sure. It’s the people that matter.
The best way to find something close to “the perfect hostel” is to first know what you want, and then to do some research to find something close to your dreams. If you don’t research, you will most likely turn up at a hostel you don’t like. It’s important to know what you want in terms of the size of hostel, the atmosphere, the type of traveler who uses the hostel, the facilities and the location.
Hostels vary in size from a couple of rooms in someone’s house to huge purpose-built complexes. Do you want to meet dozens of people or have a cozy experience with just three or four others?
Hostels are generally for younger travelers. They work well for people looking to connect, party, and (sometimes) hook up – not always in that order. Hostels have a party reputation for good reason since a lot of young backpackers like to explore new cultures through bars and beer.
That’s not for everyone but that doesn’t mean you won’t find a quiet hostel. While many hostels are for young and party-oriented travelers, there are many hostels that cater to families, quieter travelers, and older travelers. The best example is Hostelling International. This big hostel chain caters mainly to large groups, families, and older travelers. The hostel tends to be quieter and usually has strict rules on noise and partying.
Another thing to look for besides age of the guests is atmosphere. Each hostel has its own personality. Some are tame, others are wild, some are geared towards Germans and others towards Swedes. (It is true – I’ve seen it!) Some hostels are good for long-term stays and others mainly cater to people who only stay for one night.
Don’t forget the basics. Check that your hostel is in a convenient location for you, and check that this location isn’t the most dangerous or down-trodden part of the city. And bear in mind that not all hostels have a kitchen or other facilities, so check that the hostel you’re thinking of choosing has the features you require.
The best way to find information about hostels is by going on the web and reading hostel reviews on booking sites. The reviews will give you a good idea about the type of hostel, who goes there, and for what reason. But you can also get good advice from other travelers.
Good hostels can build up a reputation and become world famous, such as the The Flying Pig in Amsterdam or Base in Melbourne. These reputations are carried overseas and spread by other travelers. So if you’re heading somewhere and you meet someone who’s just been there, pick their brains about their hostel – it could be the best advice you get. Best of all, it’s current.
Remember, no matter what the hostel looks like, or what facilities it has, the experience you have is about the people. Find a hostel with good people in it and you will find the right hostel for you.
Written by: Matt Kepnes
Posted on: Wednesday, February 18th, 2009
Posted in: Articles, Budget
Responses: 7 so far
interesting site!! Finding a cheap place to stay is important to an ardent traveler – no one wants to spend all their money on expensive hotels when they are on a shoestring budget”
February 23rd, 2009 at 2:07 pmThe most centrally located hostel in Sydney, Jolly Swagman Backpackers Hostel is famous for providing safe, clean, cheap accommodation with free breakfast, pick up, 24 hour internet access, social life and a Sydney backpacker experience not to be missed. Close to Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, all of Sydney’s tourist attractions and events are on your doorstep. Meet our friendly staff (and check our website) for online accommodation room bookings, help with work, Sydney day tours and travel including bus passes, east coast travel packages and more.
February 27th, 2009 at 11:31 am^ how spammy is this?
February 27th, 2009 at 2:05 pmYes, I think these criteria are helpful, but you should also look at the reviews, not the actual rating cause I find that is not so precise if the place only has a few reviews. Many sites start you out with a lower score if you’re new to the site. I usually look at the reviews which gives me an idea of the date of the last traveler, the age and their comments. Hostelsclub for example has a simple rating system, smiley face, regular face and sad face. Can’t get easier than that!
April 6th, 2009 at 10:01 pm