When I talk about my experiences with non-travelers, the subject of hostels comes up often. I’m always surprised by how many people have never stayed in a hostel, and how many people aren’t willing to. It seems to be one of the hardest backpacking concepts for many to grasp.
A hostel is an inexpensive lodging house for travelers, usually catering to young and budget backpackers. They are very low-frill affairs often with dormitories and common rooms. Hostels help you to travel longer, for less money. When a hotel room will run you 100 Euros a night and a hostel bed only 20, it is the clear choice for the budget traveler.
So why are people so resistant to the idea? Here are some common falsehoods about hostels:
Myth #1: Hostels are Dangerous
I’ll blame this one on Hollywood and Eli Roth. The truth is that, unlike certain torture-porn horror movies might suggest, you do not risk being dismembered any time you step into a hostel.
Most hostels are very safe. The people staying in hostels are just like you: travelers on a budget. You won’t want to leave you valuables strewn about the room but even in dormitory rooms you will find that people are very respectful of your stuff and privacy.
The easiest way to feel at ease with a hostel is to do your research online beforehand. Websites like hostelworld.com offer user reviews which will give you an idea of what your in for. With that and your own good judgment safety should not be an issue.
Myth #2: Hostels are dirty
I think that because they are such a cheap option people assume that hostels will be trashy or dirty inside. Yes, some hostels are dirty. So are a lot of motels. However with a little research you should be able to avoid rundown establishments.
Almost every hostel I have stayed in has been neat and clean. Everybody does there part to keep the communal spaces such as the kitchens as neat as possible. Some hostels will even lock you out for several hours during the day
Myth #3: Hostels are for partying
Community is a huge benefit of staying in a hostel. With so many common areas it is very easy to meet interesting new people and make new friends. However, this doesn’t mean that staying at a hostel is equivalent to a night in a frat house. Many hostels, in particular those affiliated with Hostelling International have a more sedate atmosphere and quiet hours. While it’s not going to be as peaceful as a private room in a hotel, it’s far from complete anarchy.
There are indeed “party hostels.” They will usually be located in the center of town and will have a well-known reputation. Again, research should help you to find or avoid these hostels depending on your preferences.
Myth #4 All Hostels are dormitories
Not all hostel experiences involve 6 bunk beds crammed into a tiny room. Did you know that many hostels offer private rooms? If you really prefer privacy you can reserve a room with a double bed or bunk beds. They cost a little more but are still much cheaper than a hotel.
There has been a rise in “designer hostels” over the past few years. These are hostels with impeccable design, odd concepts and artistic input. You can stay in a tree house in Turkey, a re-designed prison in Slovenia or an opal mine in Australia!
Myth #5 Hostels are impersonal
Aside from being a place to meet new friends and to sleep at night, many hostels offer activities and resources to visitors. They
can recommend restaurants, set up tours and give all sorts of advice. I stayed at a hostel in Montenegro that lead daily cliff walks, sponsored day trips and held community barbeques.
Many hostels, especially outside of Western Europe are family run affairs that can give you some insight into a particular culture. When I was in Bosnia a member of our party came down with the flu and the hostel owner’s grandmother nursed him with soup and tea.
Far from dangerous and dirty places, hostels are a terrific resource for young travelers. If you’ve never had the hostel experience try to work a stay into your next trip. You’ll probably leave with some stories and you may be surprised.
Great article! There should be more pro-hostel articles! i wish more people were educated about hostels here in the US. Hostels are a great way to travel. You learn from other travelers your meet and make memories! A hostel I stayed at had karaoke night on Thursdays and my friends and I had a blast. People who are afraid are missing out!
I work part-time in a hostel in what I shall just call a “rural” region…and the myths and stereotypes are even further perpetuated here. Nobody in the immediate area really has a clue what a hostel is and I spend a good portion of my summer season explaining to locals what on earth I actually do! Most of them think I say hospital and after about this is repeated about twenty times, I just sigh and let them think I’m a nurse. ha.
Oh wow, that must be so interesting. I do get tired of explaining to people the ins and outs of what a hostel is so I can imagine that getting old!
Myth #6 – Hostels are cheaper
I’ll stay in hostels when it makes sense to do so – but sadly one thing I’m finding is that hostels are constantly going up in price, while budget hotels aren’t. In South America I found examples where a dorm bed in a foreign-owned hostel was double the price of room in a locally owned hotel across the road. Unfortunately that’s not an isolated example. It pays to shop around.
.-= Holgs´s last blog ..Sneak Preview: http://www.digitalnomadsforum.com =-.
It would say it definitely depends on where you are traveling. In Europe hostels are your cheapest option by far most of the time.
Awesome post! I would add that if people are scared about their belongings, a lot of hostels have lockers. If I have to make a decision between staying in a motel or a hostel, I usually go with a hostel because it’s more likely to be clean even if it is basic or rustic. Motels always seem to be dirty. I usually request the smallest dorm possible when I hostel and “splurge” on a private room every so often when I want a little quiet. I think as for sharing bathrooms, if you are traveling for awhile, you tend to get used to it.
.-= Ekua´s last blog ..Wanderful Words No. 12 =-.
Hi Ekua! The shared bathroom thing generally doesn’t bother me. I did it for years back in college after all!
Good reminder about the hotel safes.
You know I’m a huge advocate of hostels and agree 110% with everything you said.
Nice catches on the quirky hostels. That opal mine sounds like a fun place.
Jumbo Hostel in Stockholm is a hostel made from a jumbo jet. Seriously. http://www.jumbohostel.com
.-= brian´s last blog ..Guest Post – I Love Japan but it is Time to Go =-.
Neat! I’m adding the opal mine and the treehouse to my maybe list for next year.
Damn Steph, your site is blowing up! Good job. I agree 100% with everything you said, and have often argued the points with my prudish friends. You really cannot beat the community of a hostel, and I think I’d continue using them even if I could afford hotels.
.-= Candice´s last blog ..Mystery and Murder in St. John’s: A Review of The Republic of Doyle =-.
I know, I think a struck a nerve with this one!
Great post! I love hostels. Some of the best memories and the best people I have met in my travels have been at the hostels I have stayed at. I know there are so many preconceived notions that hostels are dirty, scary, etc. but they aren’t. Even the ones with the less than stellar reputations aren’t terrible. I think doing some research before you go is a great way to learn what hostel is a fit for you and what isn’t. In terms of budget travel, I agree — hostels (and guest houses) are the best way to go, aside from couch surfing for people who want to save money. The tree house in Turkey sounds AMAZING!! I think I’m going to have to add it to my list!
.-= DTravelsRound´s last blog ..Booze, boobs and a beach bar =-.
Having both travelled on a budget and for business with expenses covered, I’ve tried a wide range of accomodations. I’ll take the hostel any day. Beyond hotels and guesthouses, the quality to price ratio just keeps degrading – a hotel that costs you 4 times the price of a guest house hardly offers twice a better service – and that’s just dissapointing.
The only exception to this are traditional Japanese inns. Best thing ever.
.-= aelle´s last blog ..Welcome, 2010 =-.
I once thought the same way, my only knowledge of hostels was from the movie and I never actually saw the movie itself. I just assumed the worst, which meant that it wasn’t hard to surprise me at how amazing my first hostel was. Since then I’ve become an advocate, in fact my last trip to Paracas, Peru I had to convince the family of my friend that she would be safe in the hostel. More people should read this article, so I’m off to tweet this!
.-= Cornelius Aesop´s last blog ..Water Show in Lima =-.
Great post. So needed. It really is unusual in the US how little people consider hostels a serious option. So many times I’ve traveled to places in the US where I wish there was a hostel option when there wasn’t. They really are so great! I hope we continue to find more available in the US and I can’t wait to stay in my next European hostel, the few I have stayed in were all incredible for the money.
.-= Kirsten´s last blog ..kirsten_al: *Wants* & needs r very different. But I told a friend 2night, without thinking "I have everything I need" And u know what, it’s really true. =-.
I agree the US is shockingly hostel deficient. I know there are a few in New York and a cool one in DC but they are definitely scarce. Part of what makes budget travel in the US so very difficult.
Oh! I stayed in a hostel in Chicago. It was actually a lot of fun, but a completely different experience from the hostels in Australia/New Zealand & Europe that I’ve also been to.
.-= Adam´s last blog ..My Tentative Itinerary =-.