When I was a spry young whippersnapper, I traveled around Europe at a frenetic pace. At an age where sleeping on trains and in train stations was standard practice, spending a night at a hostel was an easily-afforded luxury. Low-key, bare-bones accommodations were just what I needed. But I just turned thirty (well, nine years ago), and my tastes for many things have changed. But one thing that hasn’t is my penchant for staying in hostels when I travel.
After all, they’re still the most affordable option, especially for those on a backpacker’s budget, and they’re always cheaper than a night at the Hilton in any city. While the adage “you get what you pay for” still holds true for the most part, I find that I don’t need a lot when I’m traveling. Why put down a lot of money for a room I won’t be spending much time in anyway?
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I also get to meet a diverse group of people, most of whom are like-minded travelers. Sometimes I meet a lot of people at once. I once shared a room in Dublin with 25 other people. It was a bit daunting at first, but I was exposed to a number of likable characters, including a guitar-wielding raconteur, a South African woman who traipsed around the room in her underwear (talk about exposure) and Jason and Kristen, an American couple who, thirteen years later, are now like family to me. Other hostels have yielded relationships that lasted a few days or even a few hours with little or no commitment, but these encounters provided the chance to make a friend for life. Sites like Travellerspoint cater to this social side through their hostel bookings system, by allowing you to connect with other travellers even before you arrive.
Of course, if I’m not feeling too social, or if I really need privacy, many hostels offer the option of a private room, or at least a smaller shared room (4- to 6-bed rooms are very common). Sometimes, during the slow season, I’ve been lucky and scored a room to myself without paying for the whole thing.
And while the amenities at a hostel might leave something to be desired by the 5-star hotel crowd, I’ve found hostels that offer features that meet my needs. Many hostels provide a free (albeit basic) breakfast (and often other meals), kitchen facilities for making your own meals (often the cheapest way to go when your budget needs a break), storage lockers, linen service, and free wireless internet access. Sure, there’s something to be said about room service, a mini bar, and those little bottles of free shampoo, but I find getting out and about, even if it’s just down to the hostel lobby, is a more satisfying option. A large number of hostels even provide various activities, including city tours, sporting events, social gatherings, pub crawls, and karaoke. Participation is always voluntary, but highly encouraged.
This type of atmosphere is what I like most about hostels. It’s a very casual and laid-back environment where I can come and go as I please (with the slight exception of curfews that some hostels impose). The staff are almost always willing to offer any advice I need about the area and are usually as good as any hotel concierge. And although I occasionally encounter someone who lives up to the young, binge-drinking, wild-partying stereotype, overall my fellow patrons have been a diverse mix of engaging travelers from around the world.
Sure, once in a while, a night or two in a nice hotel fills the need for a king-size bed or my own bathroom. But the boredom will eventually kick in, and I eventually find myself craving the casual, spontaneous, and inexpensive call of the hostel, which I take comfort in knowing I can enjoy at any age.
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Written by: Dave Prine
Posted on: Wednesday, October 15th, 2008
Posted in: Articles, Budget
Responses: 12 so far
I once shared a room in Dublin with 25 other people. That quiet large no. of people in one room…
Visit Malaysia
October 15th, 2008 at 2:50 pmhttp://selamatdatangmalaysia.blogspot.com
26 to a dorm is quite big. We had a 150 person room at one point on the Camino de Santigao. They’re designed to be refuges for walkers rather than hostels though.
October 16th, 2008 at 9:49 amhostels are good at any age!!!
October 16th, 2008 at 8:28 pmI absolutely love staying in hostels. It is a great place to meet people – and the hostel employees and other travelers are great sources of info of where to go, and how! And a great place to win some $ off some drunk Aussies. *wink*
October 18th, 2008 at 7:00 pmSomeone else who subsidises her travels with poker? I met someone who paid for most of his hostelling through online poker. Not all his travels, just accommodation. I get the feeling we’d lose all our money.
October 19th, 2008 at 5:15 pmI have never stayed in a hostel before but should be a good experience.
December 23rd, 2008 at 10:37 amAre you going travelling soon Salwa? Where are you off to?
December 23rd, 2008 at 2:46 pmGoing Paris tomorrow (can’t wait). Will be there for 4 days and come back just in time for the new year
December 25th, 2008 at 11:18 amBrilliant – we look forward to hearing about your trip. Bon voyage.
December 26th, 2008 at 6:35 pmI’m still waiting for the time when I could actually afford to stay somewhere else that wasn’t a hostel. Until then, does my snoring bother you?
January 9th, 2009 at 6:37 amThat all depends Troy…how much do you like your eyebrows?
(Contrary to rumour, Craig’s never shaved off anyone’s eyebrows for snoring. Yet.)
January 9th, 2009 at 11:21 amGood to read about a less known type of travel. Perhaps remove the stigma as well.
December 21st, 2009 at 3:01 am