“Hostel: an establishment that provides inexpensive food and lodging for a specific group of people, such as students, workers, or travelers.”

When it comes to choosing accommodation for trips, MOST people wouldn’t think about staying at a hostel. When in reality it’s the perfect option for a budget friendly stay and having the ability to make friends (if you’re traveling solo). As with anything you should be cautious about certain things like location and security but I truly believe staying at a Hostel can enrich your trip, so here is my beginner’s guide to Hostels:

Let’s start with the b a s i c s:

R E L A X. So many people have this clouded perception of hostels as scary, unsafe, and dirty (which can be true, but it isn’t majority of the time). Take a deep breathe and keep in mind that everyone staying in the hostel is going through the same thing you are. So remember to be kind, courteous, and respectable. Face it, no one really wants to share a room with a stranger so keep that in mind when you interact with others.

Be Friendly! Nothing makes me feel less anxious than a friendly person. Staying at a hostel can be nerve wrecking so knowing that there are friendly people around you makes it less of an awkward situation. Remember, being friendly isn’t a one way street! A smile can go a long way. I recently stayed at my first hostel by myself and I made friends with 2 of the girls I roomed with. Please keep in mind this may not always happen but if you’re lucky (especially when solo traveling) you’ll have someone if everything else falls through.

Research your h o s t e l. Before actually booking your hostel make sure you do your research. Read the reviews, stalk them on Instagram (check their tagged pics), and make sure to look at the user photos on any review site (hostels obviously post their best photos).

and last but not least, HAVE FUN! Hostels are meant to be a fun and memorable experience. Whether you’re a solo traveler or not – you have a place with like minded individuals and people that are exploring the same city you are. An advantage that hostels have over hotels is that everyone at a hostel is there for the same reasons: budget, making friends, and making the most out of the city they’re in. Hostels are also great because most of them host socializing events, offer bar crawls, AND discounts off of food and drinks (just ask!).

Okay, so now let’s get down to some nitty gritty details…

What kind of Hostel should you book?

There are various different kinds of hostels that fit different needs, so keep reading and find out which hostel would work best for you.

1. Budget Hostel. I know what you’re thinking, aren’t hostels already cheap? Yes, they are but these are the SUPER DUPER cheap ones. These hostels are for the most part not as nice as others, the amenities and services may not be up to par, and they may a little further away of the main area of the city you’re visiting. You will be able to tell these hostels apart by the P R I C E.
2. Cozy Hostel. The hostel that makes an effort to make you feel comfortable and right at home. Cozy hostels that come to my mind are places like The Local in NYC, 3 Ducks in Paris, and America Del Sur in Buenos Aires. What these hostels have in common are the cleanliness, common rooms (to chill and hang out), and kitchen/bars (which may or may not include free breakfast).
3. Party Hostel. These hostels are generally geared to younger travelers. They are the ones who put together the special events, the bar hopping, and everything in between. These hostels may also have some restrictions such as no children or pets, so make sure to read up on their website before you book.
4. Boutique Hostel. The hostel that most resembles a hotel. If you’re looking to stay somewhere nice and luxurious but still want all of the bonuses that come with a hostel, stay here. This hostel probably offers an intimate experience, offers better amenities, most of them have a unique theme, and is overall cleaner and probably even a little artistic all around. Some of the boutique hostels that come to my mind are the Long Story Short in Olomouc (this one is seriously on my bucket list), The Nest in Galway, and The Passenger Hostel in Porto.

Now that you’ve narrowed down the different kinds of hostels, think about what exactly you will N E E D from one. For me? I  N E E D wifi, no ands, ifs, or buts.

Different hostels have different priorities so here’s a list of A M E N I T I E S that allows you to see the options you’ll have:

Wifi: I don’t know about you, but this is my number one. Seeing as how my job is social media and blogging I have to have the ability to work anywhere I am.

Laundry: This is another important one for me. When I stayed at my first hostel this past month I was solo traveling so all I had was my backpack (so I didn’t have the responsibility of too much stuff). Which means, I brought like 3 shirts and 2 pants aka I needed to do laundry.

Kitchen or Free Breakfast: Some places offer free breakfast which everyone should take advantage of especially if you’re on a budget. Also, if you’re on a budget (or diet) you may want a hostel that provides a kitchen that allows you to cook your own meals. This is also a place where you can meet people.

Storage: At the end of the day, you are sharing a room with strangers. Being able to lock your things up in a safe place is important. Thefts are everywhere and even if you are carrying around something small it’s better to be safe than sorry. Some hostels have lockers and others may have storage beneath their beds. Pick the one that best suits you.

Complimentary Pick-Ups: If you have this option take it! Especially in a foreign country or city, this will save you from having to find a ride, speak the local language, and having to haggle with taxi drivers. After a long haul flight you will be thankful you chose that specific hostel.

Complimentary Happy Hour or Hostel Bar: Free alcohol is the way to most traveler’s hearts. If your hostel doesn’t offer a complimentary happy hour check and see if they have a bar. Usually, hostel bars are cheaper than bars around in the city. Cheaper drinks and the same ability to have fun and make new friends, win win right?

 

How to choose the perfect Hostel: 

Now that I’ve gotten through the basics, gave you different hostel options, and laid out some of the most needed amenities. What’s next? Booking the actual hostel! But how do you go about booking a hostel? Good question. There are various ways to find a hostel that is suitable for you. Here are some of the best ways to book your next hostel:

HostelWorld: Probably the biggest website to view, search, and find hostels. All you will need to do is type in your city and dates and you will get a list of hostels. My favorite thing about HostelWorld is that you’re able to see what each hostel is rated before clicking on it – talk about a time saver. They also have 24/7 customer service available in 19 languages – talk about hospitality.

Hostels: This website is just as good as hostel world and allows you to see how many reviews a hostel has and which hostel hasn’t had any reviews yet. The website allows has a list of city guides which is super helpful for when you’re traveling to a brand new destination.

The third way is to book through the hostels website directly. This is the best option if you want a real time look at what rooms are available to book with up to date pricing.

Other notes to keep in mind:

1. 1. 1. Come shower ready. Hostels usually charge a small towel fee (I paid $3 a night for my towel at the hostel I stayed at but every hostel is different). If you have room bring a towel, shower shoes (y’all remember dorm room showers), and soap – shampoo – etc (most hostels don’t offer these). 
   1. Ask for a bottom bunk. I mean, this is pretty self-explanatory… Having a bottom bunk means the ability to be closer to plugs to charge phones, cameras, etc. Bottom bunks are easier to get in and out of (especially if you’re drunk).
   2. Bring a small flashlight. You will need this flashlight at night when you need to use the bathroom, get something out of your locker, or if you wanna read at night to not disrupt your roommates. Some hostels come with a headlamp on each bed, but it’s always good to stay prepared.

   So here you have it folks. My beginners guide to Hostels! I hope this guide helps you get prepared for when you take that leap and decide to book a hostel for your next trip. Happy Hosteling!

   

 

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